How To Learn Directional Air Roll In Rocket League: A collection of tips, tricks, and resources!
Hello, everyone, I am back here today to teach you about Rocket League mechanics. The mechanic I'll be talking about this week will be Directional Air Roll.
Now, why should you learn Directional Air Roll?
Directional Air Roll, or DAR for short, can give you many advantages in Rocket League. With DAR, you can recover quicker, make certain movements with your car that you can't with normal air roll, and adjust in the air much faster. This is because with DAR, you have free control over your left stick as rolling is bound to a button on your controller. In addition, it is an analog control, meaning once you tap DAR, your car instantly rolls, as opposed to normal air roll where you can gradually build up speed. While having finer controller of your roll is beneficial, it is slower.
What mechanics will be enhanced through DAR?
Many mechanics benefit from DAR. The most simple one in my opinion is aerials off the wall. With DAR, you can perform a mechanic that's called a tornado spin. I'll leave a quick demonstration below.
Now you understand the basic fundamental of how DAR can help your aerial mechanics.
How do you get started with learning DAR? The first step to learning DAR is in fact your key binds.
A big issue for many people starting to learn DAR is they run out of space on their controller to put in a DAR. Some key binds are not optimal and can limit your gameplay, and even cause damage to your hands.
My favorite key bind setting is what pro player ApparentlyJack uses. I'll leave his key bind settings below.
https://liquipedia.net/rocketleague/ApparentlyJack
With this set up, you'll be able to use DAR comfortably while maintaining all your other functionality, like being able to jump, boost, and power slide all at the same time.
Another route you can take is to buy a controller with back paddles. That way, you'll be able to fit more buttons on your controller so you can use DAR. Common gaming controllers with back paddles are SCUFF, Thrustmaster, Xbox Elite Series, and the Dualsense Edge. The controller I use is the Dualshock 4 with the back button attachment. This option is great if you aren't looking to spend a great deal on a controller, and just want the back paddle functionality.
Once your key binds are all set up, now we can move on to the next step in your DAR journey. The next step is to make sure you are able to control your car in the air without DAR. Before you can start using DAR, you need the building blocks first, and that is being able to fly forwards and backwards without losing control or crashing into anything.
Flying forwards and backwards.
Here, I'll list some resources and training packs that will teach you how to fly in Rocket League.
Kevpert
This YouTuber will tell you some drills and training packs in order to improve your fundamental car control. Despite the video being six years old, all of his advice stands true today, and is highly recommended by pros and skilled Rocket League players today.
Workshop Maps
From easiest to hardest, here are some aerial workshop maps for you to install and practice flying in.
Speed Jump Trial 1, 2, and 3: Speed Jump is among the easiest aerial workshop map out there. There is a big open space for you to fly in so you won't get frustrated by constantly bumping into obstacles. The levels are short and beginner friendly.
Speed Jump Rings 2 and 3: A slightly more advanced workshop map. Instead of an obstacle course, you'll be flying through rings and working on your recoveries. Speed Jump Rings 2 have big rings for you to work with, so I recommend starting with that one so you can get comfortable with flying through rings. Speed Jump Rings 3 is a similar map, however it has different sized rings and a few obstacles for you to practice recoveries on. The map has many tight turns and twists, so make sure you are confident in your ability to fly before attempting this one.
Neon Heights Rings and Giant Rings: Created by Rocket League player and content creator Lethamyr, these maps will be the final test in your aerial capabilities. Both contain 20 long levels, filled with curveballs and difficult maneuvers, only attempt this map once you have intermediate to advanced car control. Expect at least a week in order to gain the ability to complete the whole map in one go.
Finally, you are ready to use directional air roll!
Once you are able to complete the above maps and training drills easily, you are now ready to start learning how to directional air roll.
Which directional air roll should you choose?
Either works. You can even have both! Personally, I started with air roll left, and am now incorporating air roll right into my play.
Is there a difference between the two?
Yes, there is a difference. Using air roll left as an example, you'll be able to come off the left wall easily, but not the right. Learning only one directional air roll will leave a gap in your control, so I recommend learning both.
Directional Air Roll Chart
What is this? This is a chart that briefly explains how to use DAR. It looks very confusing at first, so I'll do my best to explain it to you.
If you are using air roll left, you will move your stick in a counterclockwise motion. If you are using Air roll right, the opposite. What this means in terms of you practicing is when you want to move you car, your stick should be moving in the right direction. For example, for air roll left, you would not move your stick up, then flick it to the right, as that would be a clockwise motion. In order to get those big sweeping motions, you need to flick it to the left.
Here's a short demonstration using air roll left on what happens when you move the stick the right direction, and another where you aren't.
Go into free play and start practicing these big sweeping motions. Practice moving your stick clockwise, and then counter clockwise. Understand what your car is doing when you perform these motions. Realize when you are moving your stick the wrong direction, and correct yourself.
Moving back to the chart, if we look below the stick diagram, you'll see arrows in a circle. This is basically a cheat sheet for what the car will do when you move your stick in a certain region. Again using air roll left as the example, if you move your stick in the purple region while air rolling, your car will pitch upwards and start facing towards the left. If you move the stick in the orange region, your car will do the same except go right. These are the two basic movements of air roll left. Knowing this, you'll be able to go left or right while in DAR, although poorly and inefficiently.
You don't need to memorize the whole chart by heart. In fact, as you progress through your DAR journey, you won't be needing this chart at all. This chart is helpful for those starting out to get a basic grasp of what they need to do in order to start controlling their car.
What's really important when learning DAR is make sure not to overly rely on the chart. Doing so will stunt your progress. You want to commit DAR to muscle memory, not through memorized patterns.
Now that you have the basic idea of what DAR is and how to use it, the only thing that's left to do is start practicing DAR! Practicing DAR is similar to how you train your normal aerial mechanics, except you are now holding down DAR. Practice training packs, fly through rings, and perform drills to build your DAR skills.
Be warned though, practicing DAR takes A LOT of time. Some may find it easier than others. I would say the average time it takes for one to understand DAR can be as long as a few months. The most important thing in learning DAR is to do it consistently, and everyday. Always be sure to push yourself to learn new things everyday, and you'll understand DAR soon enough.
Thanks for reading, if you liked this guide, be sure to follow me on Nellei_RL on Twitter and comment on my page how your DAR journey is going. Make sure to check back next week for more Rocket League tricks and tips! See you all soon and gl hf!
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