A bicycle kick in Rematch is a backwards aerial shot where you leap and strike the ball behind your head
In Rematch, the bicycle kick is an advanced aerial move that lets you hit the ball while airborne and facing away from it. You jump, arch your back, and strike the ball with your foot extended behind your head. The move is harder to land than a standard aerial because the timing and positioning have to be exact — your car needs to be in the right spot in the air, and the ball has to be at the right height when you rotate.
The bicycle kick is useful when the ball is coming at you from behind or when you're already in the air and need to change direction quickly. It looks flashy and can catch opponents off guard, but it takes practice to use it reliably in a match rather than just in free play.
Key Takeaways
- A bicycle kick requires you to jump, rotate backwards in the air, and strike the ball with your foot extended behind your head.
- You need to position your car so the ball is slightly behind and above you before you jump.
- The timing window is tight — the ball must be at the right height when your car rotates into position.
- Practice the move in free play first to get the feel for the rotation speed and positioning before using it in a real match.
- A bicycle kick is most useful for defensive clears or surprise offensive shots, not as your primary hitting method.
The basic setup: positioning before the jump
Before you attempt a bicycle kick, you need to be underneath or slightly behind the ball. Drive toward the ball so it's positioned above and behind your car's center. The ball should be roughly at the height of your car's roof or slightly higher — if it's too low, you won't have room to rotate and strike it; if it's too high, you'll miss it entirely.
Approach the ball at a moderate speed rather than at full boost. If you're moving too fast, you'll overshoot the positioning and won't have time to line up the kick. Slow, deliberate movement gives you better control over where you are when you jump.
Executing the jump and rotation
Once the ball is positioned correctly, press jump to launch your car into the air. As soon as you're airborne, hold the stick back (away from the ball) and press the air roll button at the same time. This combination makes your car rotate backwards — your nose points down and your back wheels come up.
The rotation happens fast, so you need to time your second jump or dodge input to coincide with when your car is rotated enough to strike the ball with your back wheels or the side of your car. If you rotate too early, you'll miss; if you rotate too late, the ball will have moved past you.
Many players use a half-flip or air roll to control the rotation speed. Experiment with how long you hold the air roll button before you input your second jump — shorter holds give you faster rotations, longer holds give you more time to adjust.
Timing the strike
The hardest part of a bicycle kick is hitting the ball at exactly the moment your car is rotated into position. You're aiming for the frame where your car's back or side is facing the ball and you can make contact.
In free play, practice jumping at the ball and rotating without worrying about the strike first. Get comfortable with how fast your car spins and where it ends up. Once you can rotate consistently, add the second jump or dodge input to try to hit the ball. You'll miss many times before you land one — that's normal.
Watch replays of your attempts to see whether you're rotating too fast, too slow, or at the wrong angle. Small adjustments to your stick input or timing make a big difference.
Common mistakes that prevent the bicycle kick from working
The most common error is jumping when the ball is too far away or not positioned behind you. If the ball is in front of your car when you jump, you'll rotate into empty space. Make sure the ball is actually behind your position before you commit to the move.
Another mistake is rotating too quickly and overshooting the strike. If you mash the air roll button and jump at the same time, your car spins so fast that you miss the window to hit the ball. Hold the air roll input for a shorter time, or use a gentler stick input to slow the rotation.
Players also often jump too early or too late. If you jump before the ball reaches the right height, you'll be in the air waiting for it. If you jump after it's already passed, you won't catch it. The timing takes repetition to develop.
When to use a bicycle kick in actual matches
In a real game, a bicycle kick is most useful as a defensive clear when the ball is coming at your goal from an awkward angle. If the ball is behind you and you don't have time to turn around, a bicycle kick can get it out of danger quickly.
Offensively, a bicycle kick can surprise an opponent because it's unexpected and hard to read. If you're already in the air and the ball is behind you, a bicycle kick might be your only option to redirect it toward the opponent's goal.
Don't rely on bicycle kicks as your main way to hit the ball — they're too risky and unreliable in a match. Use them as a tool for specific situations where a normal aerial or ground shot won't work.
Drills to build the skill faster
In free play, set up a custom training pack where the ball spawns behind you at different heights. This forces you to practice the positioning and rotation without worrying about moving the ball yourself. Start with the ball at medium height and work your way up to higher and lower spawns.
Practice the rotation motion without the ball first. Jump and rotate backwards until you can do it smoothly and consistently. Once the motion feels natural, add the ball and focus on timing the strike.
Play matches and look for moments where a bicycle kick would have been useful, even if you don't land it. This trains you to recognize the situations where the move makes sense, so you're not trying it randomly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bicycle kick better than a normal aerial?
No. A normal aerial is faster and more reliable. Use a bicycle kick only when the ball is behind you and a normal aerial won't work. In most situations, turning and hitting the ball normally is the smarter play.
How long does it take to land a bicycle kick consistently?
That depends on your overall aerial control. If you're already comfortable in the air, you might land one within an hour of practice. If aerials are still new to you, it could take several hours of free play before the timing clicks.
Can I use a bicycle kick to score a goal?
Yes, but it's risky. A bicycle kick is hard to aim precisely, so you'll miss the goal more often than you'll score. Use it only if it's your only option or if you're confident in the angle.
What's the difference between a bicycle kick and a flip reset?
A flip reset happens when your wheels touch the ball or the ceiling in the air, which resets your dodge ability. A bicycle kick is a rotation move that doesn't require a reset. They're separate techniques.
Do pro players use bicycle kicks in tournaments?
Occasionally, but only in specific defensive situations. Pro players have the mechanics to land them, but they prefer more reliable shots. You'll see a bicycle kick used maybe once or twice per match at the highest level.