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Rocket League sample report

Vitality vs NRG — Game 1

NRG held 57.44% possession, won the demo count 6–2, collected more boost, and moved farther — yet lost 4–1. RunbackIQ explains why those apparent advantages did not create valuable chances.

Public Broadcast Sample

This report evaluates visible tactics, execution, adaptations and opponent tendencies from an official broadcast. Private communications, every hidden player perspective and intended internal calls were unavailable. Conclusions are limited to the evidence shown.

This sample is an independent educational analysis of publicly broadcast footage. RunbackIQ is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Vitality, NRG, RLCS, BLAST, Psyonix or Epic Games. No team, league or publisher logos are used.

The public source footage is referenced by text only. No broadcast clips, logos or team marks are reproduced.

Independent educational example based on publicly broadcast footage · Vitality 4 — NRG 1 · Communication: Not Assessed (no team comms submitted)

01Game in 60 SecondsOpen

NRG controlled the ball and won almost every surface-level statistic, but their possession was built in low-value areas: wide, on the walls, and in front of a defense that was already set. Vitality conceded territory, kept two players relevant behind the ball, and converted three of their four goals from central chances created within two touches of a won challenge. The demo advantage did not translate because most demos happened away from the play or after the shot window had closed.

  • Possession without central entry produced 1 goal from a large share of the game.
  • Vitality's first-man challenges were early and committed; NRG's were late and shadow-heavy.
  • NRG's third player spent long stretches at low boost far from the backboard.
02Three Main PrioritiesOpen
  1. 1.

    Convert wide possession into central chances within two touches

    Wide possession is only useful if it becomes a central entry. Set a two-touch rule: pass in, cut in, or reset — no third wall touch.

  2. 2.

    Fix challenge order on the first defensive contact

    The first player back challenges decisively or fully retreats. Half-challenges gave up the middle repeatedly and forced the second player into a losing 1v2.

  3. 3.

    Rebuild the third player's boost path and backboard position

    The last player collects small pads on the way back and holds a position where a backboard read is possible, rather than chasing a big pad away from goal.

03Timestamped EvidenceOpen
PriorityChallenge Order
02:14Evidence: Confirmed
Situation
Vitality carry into midfield with NRG's first player arriving on time
What happened
The first player shadowed rather than challenged, then challenged late once the carry had already turned inside.
Why it mattered
The delay turned a 1v1 at midfield into a central 2v1 and led directly to the second goal against.
Responsibility
First player back

Next-game rule

First contact is a decision: commit to the challenge or fully retreat behind the ball. No shadow-then-challenge.

Repeated IssueBoost Economy
03:47Evidence: Confirmed
Situation
Defensive third reset after a cleared ball
What happened
The last player crossed midfield for a corner big pad instead of taking the pad line back toward goal, arriving at 12 boost.
Why it mattered
Time spent at low boost near goal removed the backboard read on two of the four goals conceded.
Responsibility
Third player

Next-game rule

The last player back only takes pads on the direct path home, and never crosses midfield to refuel.

StrengthCentral Chance Creation
04:52Evidence: Confirmed
Situation
Won 50/50 in midfield with the second player already lifted
What happened
The ball was pushed centrally and the second player arrived for the rebound rather than rotating wide.
Why it mattered
This was the only sequence of the game where NRG created a genuinely high-value chance from possession.
Responsibility
First and second player together

Next-game rule

Repeat this shape: won challenge, central push, second player central for the rebound.

Scheme QuestionKickoff Assignment
00:00Evidence: Needs Team Context
Situation
Second kickoff after conceding
What happened
Both wide players cheated forward, leaving no player in a true back position on a 50/50 that was lost.
Why it mattered
One lost kickoff produced an immediate shot on an empty net.
Responsibility
Team kickoff rule — labelled Needs Team Context until the intended assignment is confirmed

Next-game rule

Confirm the cheat-back assignment for every kickoff variation before the series.

04Goal-by-Goal AuditOpen
Goal-by-goal audit
TimeFor / AgainstWhat created itEvidence
01:02AgainstWon challenge at midfield turned into a central entry with NRG's second player rotating wide.Confirmed
02:20AgainstLate first-man challenge created a central 2v1; the backboard was uncovered.Confirmed
04:58ForCentral push after a won 50/50 with rebound support arriving centrally.Confirmed
06:41AgainstThird player at low boost after a cross-field refuel; no backboard read available.Likely
07:55AgainstKickoff lost with no player in a back position, immediate shot on an open net.Needs Team Context
05Player AccountabilityOpen

Player 1 — first man / aggressor

Confirmed

Positive

Won the majority of midfield 50/50s and generated the game's best central chance.

Correctable

Three half-challenges in the first half of the game surrendered the middle of the field.

Next action

Decide before contact: challenge or retreat. Track the count out loud next match.

Player 2 — second man / support

Likely

Positive

Consistently available for possession and rarely double-committed.

Correctable

Rotated wide on entries where a central rebound position was the higher-value option.

Next action

On any won challenge, hold central for the rebound before rotating wide.

Player 3 — last man / defensive anchor

Confirmed

Positive

Made two strong backboard clears when in position.

Correctable

Long stretches at low boost, twice caused by crossing midfield for a big pad.

Next action

Pads on the path home only; hold a backboard-capable position at 30+ boost.

06Supporting AnalysisOpen
Statistical comparison with tactical context
MetricNRGVitalityWhat it actually means
Possession share57.44%42.56%Mostly wide and in front of a set defense.
Demos62Four NRG demos happened away from the active play.
Boost collectedHigherLowerCollection is not the same as retention.
Time at zero boost (last man)HigherLowerDirectly tied to two goals conceded.
Central entries per possessionLowHighThe single clearest cause of the scoreline.
Goals14Chance quality, not chance volume.
07Next-Match TargetsOpen
  • No more than one wall touch before a central entry or reset
  • Zero shadow-then-challenge first contacts
  • Last player back never crosses midfield for boost
  • A confirmed cheat-back assignment on every kickoff
  • Two or more central rebound arrivals per game from the second player
08Detailed AppendixOpen
  • Full possession chain log with entry location for every possession
  • Boost collection, retention and zero-boost duration per player
  • Challenge log with outcome and confidence label
  • Demo log with distance from the active play
  • Rotation order violations by minute
  • Opponent tendency table with repeat counts

Next step

Have your own match reviewed

Replay statistics show what happened. RunbackIQ connects those numbers to the decisions, rotations, and team structures that caused the result.

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