How to Win More Kickoffs in Rocket League

A reliable kickoff approach

Before learning anything fancy, get a consistent approach that does not lose the kickoff:

• Boost straight toward the ball, then flip diagonally into it so your car hits through the center rather than getting flipped over the top.
• Aim to make contact slightly to one side so the ball goes toward a corner, not straight back up the middle where it can drop into your net.
• The goal at first is simple: do not lose possession. A neutral kickoff is a fine result.

Decide who takes it

In 2v2 and 3v3, only one player should go for the kickoff. Whoever is closest takes it; the others set up.

• The player not taking the kickoff should grab boost and position to collect the ball or defend the likely rebound.
• Miscommunication here — two players going, or nobody going — loses more kickoffs than technique does.

Position for the aftermath

Winning the contact is only half of it — what happens next decides the play.

• If you take the kickoff, follow your hit and look to recover the ball.
• If you are the support player, "cheat up" a little to grab the loose ball if your teammate wins it, but not so far that you cannot get back if they lose it.
• Grab the corner boost pads on your way so you are not stranded with zero boost after the scramble.

When to learn the speedflip

The speedflip is a fast diagonal flip that cancels its own animation, letting you reach the ball first with boost to spare. It wins kickoffs outright at higher ranks.

It is worth learning around Diamond and up, but only after your basic kickoff is reliable — a missed speedflip loses the kickoff instantly. Practice it in Free Play until it is consistent before taking it into ranked.

See which kickoffs you actually lose

Because kickoffs happen so fast, it is hard to tell whether you are winning them or quietly leaking possession every time. Replay review makes it concrete.

Upload a replay to GetBetter and it grades your kickoffs specifically — whether you won the territory, went neutral, or lost it — with a score you can track match to match, alongside the rest of your game. It coaches you, the player, so you know exactly which kickoff situations to drill.

How to win more kickoffs

1. 1
   Flip through the ball

   Boost in and flip diagonally into the center so you hit through the ball rather than over it.

2. 2
   Aim off-center

   Angle your contact so the ball goes toward a corner, not straight back up the middle.

3. 3
   Assign the kickoff

   Let the closest player take it while teammates grab boost and set up for the rebound.

4. 4
   Position for the aftermath

   Follow your hit or cheat up as support, collecting corner boost on the way.

5. 5
   Learn the speedflip later

   Once your basic kickoff is reliable, drill the speedflip in Free Play before using it in ranked.

6. 6
   Track your kickoffs

   Use GetBetter to see whether you win, neutralize or lose kickoffs, and drill the ones you lose.

Frequently asked questions