In this guide we’ll be looking at how to properly handle training packs before I give my three principles for mastering them. Of course, if you’d like more advice on this then drop me a line on Discord which you can find on my coaching profile.
Before we get started, though, I’d like to put down a quick disclaimer: although training packs are an amazing way for you to get a feel for what level you could hit in the future, they should never be an excuse for you to skip freeplay training.
Freeplay training is the most versatile warm-up technique: it’s the best way for you to practice possession, follow-ups, and boost management (when boost is limited). If you don’t know how much time to spend on freeplay, I would recommend at least 15 minutes before doing anything else.
With that out of the way, let’s look at how best to use training packs in your own Rocket League development.
Types of Training Packs
Now, as you all know, training packs are divided into two sections: offensive and defensive.
Let’s start with defensive training packs. I personally find defensive training packs more important than their attacking counterparts.
There are a number of reasons for this: they allow more crucial reads in a matchmaking system where almost every player focuses training on offence; they help you to work on speed and efficiency in aerial reads; booming clears offer immense pressure even in Grand Champion rank.
As you can see, I’m going to be training on Torment’s “Defensive Variety” since it has been the most helpful for my personal progress.
For every single exercise in the training pack, I implement three principles: Base Consistency, Placing your Touch and Getting Creative. If this sounds confusing at this point, don’t worry: I will be explaining each step along the way.
1) Base consistency
Starting with the first principle – Basic Consistency – all we have to do is get enough familiarity with the shot to be able to get the touch consistently. The simplest way to treat this would be to set a goal for yourself, kinda like working out. I’m gonna set the bar to 3 shots in a row. Once I make it, I move to step 2.
Even though they are approached quite differently, there are three principles that can be applied to both categories as you seek to improve:
2) Touch focus
Alright! This time in step 2, we will be focusing more on where we’re sending the ball. A good way to train this sort of placement would be imagining teammates being near boosts, so you can make a booming counter-attack. For this case, we’ll imagine there’s a teammate on our far post boost.
Please note that although we’re in step 2, step 1 has to be applied as well. Following step 2, this shot will be accepted (shot close to back boost), but this one, not (shot close to mid boost/far from back boost). Before considering step 2 complete, we could perhaps try consistently passing a teammate near the mid boost, to widen the angle of our touches.
3) Getting Creative
Once we’re done with step 2, we’ll be moving to step 3, getting creative. This time, the only thing you need to do is find a different approach for your touch. In this case, I will be going for an aerial instead of waiting for it on the wall. By doing that, I take the shot I’ve been training on for quite some time now, and turn it to a completely different read, bringing completely different results as a touch. Again, steps 1 and 2 can apply, but so far in the training pack, it’s definitely not necessary to use them.
Take your training to the next level
I know these steps have helped me a ton so I hope this will also be the case for you. Having some sort of plan on how to tackle your favourite training packs can be great fun and super helpful to make your plays far more consistent. We have our own GamersRdy training packs you can try out right now, or if you’re wanting more in-depth advice and coaching then hit me up on my profile and I’d love to help you more.
