How to Get Centers in Rocket League
By Kaleb Smith
Learning how to get Centers in Rocket League is a critical skill needed for team plays, and just like most Rocket League mechanics centers you practice often in order to master. This guide will hopefully teach you some of the easier ways to center the ball, and maybe some you've been missing out on.
How to Get Centers in Rocket League
1. Corner Centers
The easiest and lowest level of skill needed, corner centers an entry-level ability that most players figure out how to make the most of early on. There is a nice forgiving area of angles in the corners of each standard map that will pop the ball back over the middle in front of the goal. Getting a solid hit should do the trick, and set your teammate up nicely for an easy goal.
2. Backwall Centers
While the goals are large, sometimes they aren't large enough. It's perfectly fine to miss that shot though, as the backwall is there to save the day. Generally speaking, if you aim for the goal, the ball will at least be in that direction. At the very least, it will have a chance to pop off the backboard, setting your teammate up for a nice follow-up goal.
The backwall can also be dribbled along to drop the ball over the goal. This requires a bit of advanced mechanics, but if you can get the ball in front of the goal your teammate will thank you for the easy goal.
3. Sidewall Centers
These work similarly to the Corner and Backwall centers, but since the side of the wall is further away than either of the formers it's best to get a good smack on the ball. The sidewall can also be used to dribble the ball along, and if you can air dribble the ball towards the center of the goal your teammate can come from a different angle for a deadly offensive threat.
4. Center Clears
Rocket League is all about timing and moving quickly. A nice clear towards the enemy's goal can set yourself or your teammate up for a chance to score. Just be sure you have the time to move up and counterattack, and not counter-counterattacked.
A smaller version of this can be done just by hitting the ball off the ground towards the center of the goal. Most of these are easier to defend, but if you can set it up your team is almost guaranteed to score.
5. Dribble Centers
Sometimes all you need is to dribble the ball toward the center of the goal. Communicate with your teammates on what the play is, and set them up for a nice ground shot. Dribbling might take some practice, but the idea is the same for getting the ball in front of the goal.
At the end of the day, centering the ball well will come down to practice, but the concept for each is typically the same. Great communication goes a long way, but generally speaking, get the ball in front of the goal, see your teammates follow-up, score and win the game.
If you're looking for a different kind of Rocket League experience, keep an eye out for Epic Games' new mobile game Rocket League Sideswipe releasing later in 2021.