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The volley touches in Rocket League are as important as learning to speed flip into the ball as a beginner. Chances are, if you’re stuck in lower ranks per, say, gold or lower, then this term might sound ridiculous at first, but we think you’re already aware of this term but unsure what it does and how it plays out in the grand scheme of things.
So, if you want to take your Rocket League skills to another level and climb out of your rank where you’ve probably been stuck for a year now, then this mechanic is crucial for you to master your gameplay.
The History of Volley Term in Rocket League
When Rocket League emerged, the developers hadn’t coined any of the terms we commonly say today. They did not publish the terms and mechanics for everyone to know. The wonderful Rocket League community has evolved the game to what it is today.
Rocket League has two types of volley touches:
- Half-volley
- Full-volley
The volley touch terms were proposed by Johnny_boi, a Twitch Streamer and YouTuber turned RLCS Caster.
Back then, he was also the coach of Flipsid3 tactics, consisting of Kuxir97, gReazymeister, and Markydooda. Johnny_boi is a well-known RL caster and streamer; his 1v1 show matches are the most anticipated competition in Rocket League.
What is a Volley Touch?
A volley touch is a technique used in the popular game Rocket League to score goals. It involves using an aerial move to hit the ball mid-air instead of bouncing it off the ground and walls. This allows you to take control of the ball more quickly and make more precise passes.
Volley touches can also be used as a powerful shot on goal, giving you a greater chance of scoring. Volley touches are usually used when trying to score from a significant distance or when you have limited space to work with. Mastering the volley touch, and other techniques like Wall Reading, will make you a much better Rocket League player and increase your chances of winning.
How to perform a volley touch in Rocket League:
- Start by jumping into the air and positioning yourself over the ball.
- When you’re ready to strike, use the right thumbstick to aim your car where you want to shoot the ball.
- You should hit the ball just before it hits the ground for maximum power and accuracy.
- Be sure not to hit the ball too early or too late, or else your shot won’t go where you want it.
- You should see the ball arching toward its intended destination when done correctly.
Practice regularly to read the ball’s trajectory and adjust your angle accordingly. You can use boost while performing a volley touch to help give the ball even more speed and power. Remember that it takes some time to master these techniques, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it perfect every time!
With enough practice and dedication, you’ll soon become a master of the volley touch, and your Rocket League scores will skyrocket!
Half-Volley vs Full-Volley
Full-volley touches are made when you or a teammate immediately follow up after an initial touch. A common technique is to pop the ball up for a bounce dribble and then quickly leap up for an aerial.
You go for these touches when you want to confuse a defender. The full-volley may also be used for redirect passes.
In Rocket League, the half-volley touch is by far the most typical. They often occur when defenders have adequate room to time a touch while launching a counterattack. The half-volley is the upward trajectory of the ball after a bounce. Bounces off the wall follow the same concept but are often disregarded since gravity does not impact them.
Quarter-volleys, which have an upward arc after two bounces, are also a thing. They don’t show up very often. These finishing touches aren’t great, either. Two bounces off the ground are all it takes for the ball to lose most of its initial velocity.
Learning the Art of Volley Touches
When the ball is on a brand-new upward arc, its greatest vulnerability lies in its greatest forward speed. In your subconscious, you already knew it. There aren’t many saveable shots to be had while attempting a smooth-as-gravy diagonal flip into the ball immediately after it bounces.
Not every half-volley will have us there just as the ball is about to bounce. The volley loses its effectiveness as the ball falls with less and less upward velocity as time passes. A true professional in Rocket League can adjust to any circumstance. So, how can we use that information?
Improve your aerial possession by learning to time your touch around the top of the ball’s upward arc. Air dribbles and additional touches will become second nature to you. With such information in hand, we may gradually modify our car’s momentum to accommodate performing fewer natural things with the ball. By moving closer to the ball and launching ourselves into the air more slowly, we may train ourselves to begin air dribbling earlier and earlier in the arc of a volley.
Minimize your cuts by cutting just an inch at a time. You need to be more aggressive while launching your aerials if you want to make a greater touch on a tired half-volley. Get there as quickly as you can by going straight. Get in the habit of touching the ball’s bottom. Incorporate some air roll to increase your vehicle’s acceleration.
Also, take control of the ball by starting a bounce dribble; it’s an easy-to-learn yet effective way of learning volley touches in RL. With every bounce dribble, you threaten your opponent with an imminent half-volley shot, and it’s not only hard to save but also poses a danger of a left or right corner shot. So, try to practice your half-volley touches this way in Freeplay. You’ve got to sink some hours into this mechanic to be able to use it in 1v1 scenarios.
If you’re new and just learning the game, be sure to check out our Rocket League Beginner’s Guide for more valuable tips.