How do you grab in Rocket League Knockout?

Rocket League has been around for a while, and while the game has gone through some changes, including the merging with Fortnite, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that the same addictive formula has carried Rocket League. However, sometimes, players may want to switch things up.

It’s a good thing that the developer likes to add special modes that deviate from the tried-and-tested Rocket League ^[1] formula. One of those said modes is Rocket League’s Knockout mode, which has eight players drop into an arena in a free-for-all setting, using mechanics like attacking, blocking, and the topic of today’s article, grabbing.

Here’s what you need to know about grabbing in Rocket League Knockout, including how it’s done and what the real trick behind it is.

What is the Knockout mode in Rocket League?

Knockout is a special mode that flips the Rocket League formula on its head. Instead of chasing a ball and scoring goals, you try to survive in a chaotic car-on-car brawl. Eight players drop into the arena in a free-for-all setting, where the last one standing wins. Each player starts with three lives, so if you lose them all, you’re out.

The mode takes place in three arenas: Calavera, Carbon, and Quadron. These arenas are full of hazards like spikes and laser grids, wide open edges you can get tossed off, and a safezone that keeps shrinking as the match goes on. Get tossed outside the safezone, and you have just ten seconds to return. At the six-minute mark, Sudden KO activates: every attack launches at max force, and stepping out of the zone means instant elimination.

Holding your ground means mastering three mechanics: attack, block, and grab. Attacks let you dodge into opponents and send them flying. Blocks allow you to reflect enemy hits if timed right, and grabs let you pick up and toss another car wherever you want. Attack and block are straightforward, but grab is where things get fun.

How to grab in Rocket League Knockout?

Grabs take practice, but landing one is one of the most satisfying eliminations in Knockout. Here is the step-by-step:

1. Get near your opponent while keeping your car under control.
2. Tap the brakes and slow down just before contact.
3. Hold the grab button (L2 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox, Left Shift on PC).
4. Dodge while holding the button to grab their car.
5. Dodge again to launch them wherever you’re facing; with good positioning, that usually means out of the safezone or into a hazard.

The real trick here is timing: go too early and you will slide past, go too late and you will eat a hit yourself. Use brakes and small adjustments to control the setup, and once you execute a few, you will see why grab is such a game-changer. Players usually panic-boost when they sense a grab coming. If you bait that out first, your follow-up grab almost always connects.

How to get the most eliminations in Rocket League Knockout?

Now that you know how to grab, it's time to combine it with other tools to rack up eliminations. Start by using an attack at high speed. The faster you go, the harder you launch someone across the arena. Boost into dodges whenever possible, and try to line up hits near hazards or the arena’s edge for easy knockouts.

Next, master the block. A perfectly timed block keeps you safe and also stuns your attacker, bouncing their force back at them. Once they are stunned, you can follow up with a quick grab or another attack. And of course, mix in grabs smartly. They are harder to land, but can guarantee an elimination when done right. Focus on stunned, slow, or predictable opponents; those grabs almost always land.

While you are at it, it is always good to keep an eye on the shrinking safe zone. Save your boost for recovery instead of burning it early, and use Enemy Lock-On to track players without losing awareness of your surroundings. Knockout isn’t just Rocket League with no ball, but a full-on brawler where victory comes from reading your opponent and timing your moves right.

FAQs

What is Rocket League Knockout mode?

Knockout is a limited-time mode in Rocket League where eight players battle in an arena instead of chasing a ball. Each player has three lives, and the last one standing wins. The mode focuses on three mechanics: attacking, blocking, and grabbing.

How do you grab in Rocket League Knockout?

To grab, get close to an opponent, slow down, hold the grab button (L2 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox, or Left Shift on PC), then dodge into them. Once grabbed, dodge again to throw them in the direction you are facing.

What’s the trick to landing grabs in Rocket League Knockout?

The key is timing and control. Tap the brakes before contact, line up your angle, and grab just as you touch the opponent. Many players panic-boost when they sense a grab, so baiting that out first makes the grab easier to land.

References

1. [1] "Official Rocket League website". www.rocketleague.com. Retrieved September 02, 2025