Some days you want to play Rocket League but you want to mix it up a little. Thankfully for us, Rocket League keeps things interesting with the inclusion of other game modes like Dropshot. Not only is it a fun change of pace, but it can actually help you improve multiple areas of your game.

Wall Practice

Dropshot is great practice for so many different things. Most notably I would say are wall reads and wall shots. I know that they have taken all of the irregular maps out of the competitive playlist, but all of these corners are good for you! If you can predict bounces off the odd-angled walls in Dropshot, then the standard four walled arenas should not give you any trouble at all! Just give yourself a little space to prepare for the awkward bounces and go for them as swiftly as you feel comfortable. You'll get faster at your reads the more you practice them.

Since the floor in Dropshot is basically hot lava, a big tactic used in clearing a ball out of your half is to roll the ball up and around the walls. This can limit the other team's ability to damage your floor or score, but it can also give you a great opportunity to practice your wall shots. Take your time and roll it up a wall into an air dribble or bounce it off the wall and boom it down field. You will have plenty of opportunities to mix it up on the walls. Wall challenges occur frequently in this playlist as well, which can really help sharpen that skill. A well executed wall challenge can put the opponent out of position and set your team up for the offensive at the same time. Don't be afraid to go for those challenges. You're not going to win all of them, but never challenging the ball means you'll have fewer opportunities to score.

Game Awareness

Dropshot is interesting in that your boost regenerates over time eliminating the need for boost pads. It also allows you to keep ball cam on almost the entire time without having to toggle it off to hunt down some quick boost. Since you can constantly have your eye on the ball, you can better anticipate who will hit the ball next (in most situations) and which route you should take to handle what comes next. Keeping the ball from touching ground on your half is a major part of this game mode, so being quick to get the next touch is key to your team's success. Being quick to the ball and quick to challenge will serve you well in the higher ranks down the road.

Another hugely important thing you'll pick up in Dropshot is how crucial a good rotation is. You have a lot of ground to cover between three players and double commitments will be easily punished. Rotations are going to be your best friend in the competitive playlists, so get your practice in for sure. Good positioning and rotations just make good things happen. Pay attention to where your teammates are on the field and try to fill in the gaps as best you can. Rotating effectively ensures that you or a teammate will be close enough to the ball to make a smart offensive or defensive play.

Aerial Game

As neither team wants the ball to linger too near the ground on their half, big booming clears are a regular occurrence. The ball tends to spend a lot of time in the air in Dropshot. At the start of the game, the ball is even launched into the air forcing you to aerial for the kickoff! This game mode is solid practice for getting up quick and beating others to the ball. Getting there first is usually good but when you can start placing those first touches where you need them to go, you'll start racking up the wins in any playlist.

This one is slightly more advanced and I wouldn't blame you if you don't attempt them regularly, but Dropshot can be an awesome place for you to try out some ceiling shots. With as much time as the ball spends in the air, why not be a maniac every so often. It's not always the most practical play but it does make you look like a rocket god! Start nailing those shots here and when you enter the competitive arena, all will bow before your skill!

We all love Rocket League here. Sometimes you want something familiar but different. Dropshot has a lot to offer both in entertainment and as a practice resource. You have so many opportunities to try things in an unranked environment and you'll never get better if you stop trying new things. Get out there, play some Dropshot and improve your game!

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