How to Perform an Aerial in Rocket League

Last Updated: November 18, 2022

In Rocket League, an aerial is the act of boosting into the air in order to hit the ball. This can be done to take a shot past the opposing defense, set up a teammate for a shot, or simply to keep the ball out of the opposing team's control. Aerials are an essential maneuver for high-level play.

Steps

1
Get boost.You start each match with 34% boost, although it is optimal to obtain 100% boost before performing an aerial.
- To obtain boost, simply drive over an active boost pad.
- There are two types of boost pads: 100% refill pads, which respawn after ten seconds, and 12% boost pads which respawn after five seconds.
2
Position yourself. You ideally should be approaching the ball from the direction of your team's side of the field in order to hit it towards your opponent's goalpost.

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3
Face the ball. Since boost propels your car forward you will have more control and can attain a greater speed when driving forward.
4
Visualize the shot. It is optimal to hit the ball while it is at the apex of its arc in order to ensure that another player will not hit the ball before you do.
5
Speed up to the desired position of take-off. The faster you are driving when you leave the ground for an aerial, the further you can hit the ball.
- To conserve boost for the aerial itself, you should speed up by accelerating the car and front-flipping to build speed.
6
Jump. When you have built up sufficient speed and gained proximity to the ball, jump into the air in the direction of the ball.
7
Pull the tail of your vehicle downward so that the nose of your car is pointing into the air and towards the ball.
8
Boost. Boosting in the air will allow you to fly in the direction your nose is pointing at until you cease boosting or run out of boost. By boosting into the ball you can hit it higher and at greater velocity than you would otherwise be able to.
9
Flip. Right before you hit the ball, perform a front-flip into it to maximize the impact you have on the ball.
- It is important to note that you can only flip for the first 1.5 seconds that you have been in the air. After 1.5 seconds you will have to land completely in order to flip again.
- To refresh your ability to flip, you may land on any surface including the floor, walls, ceiling, or even onto the ball itself so long as all four wheels make contact with the surface.
10
Orient yourself with the surface you will land on. After making contact with the ball, it is time to land. Orient your vehicle so that you are level with the surface that you are expecting to land on, whether it is the ground or a wall.
11
Land and slow down. Upon landing you will typically have to slow down in order ensure that you do not find yourself in between the opposing team’s goalpost and the ball and unable to hit the ball in the direction that will be the most beneficial.
- You can slow down by releasing the accelerator, holding reverse, or power sliding.
- Power sliding is advantageous in that it allows you to quickly pivot to face another direction.
12
Follow up. It may be possible to take another shot on the ball in order to score a goal or set up your teammates to score. If no such opportunity exists, you should rotate back to your goal in order to acquire more boost and to provide defense should the other team take control of the ball.

Warnings

If you lose your front flip and cannot go toward the ball, use what boost you have left (if you have any), and just tilt your car forwards, this will still give the ball more power versus the underside and/or wheels of your car.

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