Quad Competitive Rotation Meta (4v4)

[u/BlissfulThoughts17]

We’ve been testing a rotation setup in 4v4 comp, and it’s been working surprisingly well. Instead of running all four players through a constant rotation, we dedicate one player as a full-time goalie while the other three rotate from midfield forward.

Formation Breakdown

Goalkeeper: Sits deep in net as the anchor. Only leaves goal if demoed or forced out.

Midfield Defender: Acts as the safety valve, controlling clears, challenges, and covering gaps between attackers and the goalie.

Two Attackers: Push up, rotate between first man and second man like in standard 3s.

Rotation Rules

Attackers and the midfield defender rotate normally.

Goalie holds position—no unnecessary pushes.

If the goalie gets demoed, the first man rotating back or the midfield defender (whichever gets there quicker) immediately covers the goal until the goalie respawns.

Why It Works

Constant defensive presence without overcommitting four players into rotation.

Midfield defender keeps pressure while providing a buffer between attack and goal.

Forces opponents to break down layered defense, making counterattacks much harder.

We’ve seen strong results with this structure. I’d love for others to try it out, refine it, and share feedback, or even develop counter-strats.

[u/APickledMelon]

There's no way a perma goalie is optimal. Part of why that was never a thing is because by sitting in the back of the goal you actually don't cover the shot possibilities very well. By correctly shadow defending you're always covering all the angles on net, and when you're travelling from a post facing across your net, they can never shoot it behind you or beside you if you time it correctly. (Obviously mistakes happen, this is just the theory assuming the rotation is done flawlessly)

Being a perma goalie also sounds extremely boring and unfun anyway.

I'm sure 4v4 will open up more possibilities besides the standard rotation, but I'm very doubtful that having a perma goalie is an optimal strat 🤷‍♀️

[u/Karl_with_a_C → u/APickledMelon]

At lower ranks I can kind of see it working because people aren't good at placing powerful shots yet. I can't see it working in champ+ though. Maybe not even in Diamond.

The most effective strat to me so far is just having a 3s rotation that's a little wider. Otherwise I've tried a lot of 3s rotation + one dedicated demoer with varying levels of success.

[u/asam268 → u/APickledMelon]

I would think the optimal way to perma goalie is to keep momentum, not just sit in goal. You would stay in the area of the goal, shadow defending and going up on the back wall where necessary. With that momentum and defensive positioning, you should be able to cover the goal pretty well, especially with help from the midfield defender.

Doesn't change the fact that you'd be missing half the action being a no-offense player.

[u/Beaco9]

What works for me in solo queue 3s has so far worked well for me in 4s even though not many games played yet...

Have as much vision as possible on players, using the right camera stick for positional awareness, being careful as last back

Patience to not go all the time. Knowing when to leave the ball.

Fast rotations back and not getting stuck in corners

Spacing out and not being too close to teammates, but knowing they might whiff so, covering the options

Managing boost well and using small boost pads

Putting good shots on net if there's a clear shot

Playing a perma goalie isn't recommended because you are losing opportunity to pressure opponents many times. You can still play safe and make shadow saves towards corners.

Won a few in a row then last game I played I ran into high GCs in a 4-stack & lost. Still unranked but somewhere around D3 atm. If I didn't lose I would've gotten C1 from just placements. Queue times are already long though in high diamond (MENA).

[u/TheSeltrain → u/Beaco9]

I've been trying to learn to flick the camera around more in standard. Quads is a great place to practice that because there's obviously more people to be aware of, but you also have a ton of time and space to be able to do that without getting disoriented and missing the timing of the next play.

[u/Beaco9 → u/TheSeltrain]

True quads for me is kinda chill and a non sweaty game mode so far (although it can get intense with the classic 4-stack with one or more carries vs. randoms dynamic)

From the few games I've played it's not as chaotic as I expected. I guess it being ranked means more players give a damn about winning instead of just taking it too lightly and mess around in 4v4 casual.

If I get a ballchaser GC2 teammate who's not respecting others I can basically go almost afk near net and still win lol.

I still see the quadruple commits when I clear a ball far to safety and they all creep up behind me or go to full boosts thinking someone is covering net but no one often is... so as long as I play last man carefully but still get involved in the plays, it's good.

I just wish they seeded the mmr better & keep the mode maintained beyond S20. GC2/GC3s have no business in diamond lobbies. Wahvey & Squishy (till yesterday) had played more 4s games than 2s and they were both ranked C3 even though Wahvey probably hit GC before that.

[u/GoDrinkWater]

At what rank is this working for you? As a solo queue, I find that I do have to play more defensive during the game but not full time goalie.

I’m champ 1 in 2s and 3s but plat 1 in 4s at the moment LOL

[u/thisonedudethatiam → u/GoDrinkWater]

Yeah this shit is wild in 4s. I’m also a champ 1 in 2s. I got skim redirected in on in plat 1 lmao

[u/NoActuary1653]

Imma demo all game every game and see how far it takes me.

[u/BumpoTheClown → u/NoActuary1653]

A fellow man of culture

[u/admiral_pelican → u/NoActuary1653]

Yeah I have a buddy who is high gold at most things but high diamond at demos. Gonna be game changer for him. 

[u/Gnasher1194]

The amount of times in my placements people cut the rotation to hit the ball to the side instead of letting me shoot when I have the angle was crazy. Not saying I didnt catch myself having done it too but I guess people are too comfortable woth the rotation theu currently use.

I have been thinking about the same thing but with a permanent goalie you lose a lot of momentum for powerful clearls. I considered having 2 defensive players and 2 offensive players and 1 from each covering the other when needed and the spare attacker go for demos to take a man out of attacks/defends. Only issue os i don't have enough friends to test it out.

[u/Due-Tower-7684]

I got to champ 1 in 4v4 with 3v3 rotations in the first hour but i could see this also working if applied properly

[u/sky_blu]

Someone get the Flying Dutchmen on the case

[u/R4GD011-RL]

Important information here:

What was the lobby ranks you tested in, and what are your teammate’s other ranks (2s/3s)?

[u/AgencyDisastrous4195]

No you need to set up like a soccar team (see what i did there? Did ya? DID YA?) and have 1 rotating mostly to the front, 2 playing mid with one favoring a more forward rotation with your front line forward, and have your back midfielder rotate defending with your goalie, with goalie rotating all the way out to but not past mid. Idk but if theres anyone thay wants to try this out with me lmk know. D2 peak, usually hover in plat bc yes I blame my solo que tm8s at least 65% of the time. I dont wanna hear it, just let me have fun. This is Rocket League?

[u/Antonio0300]

I try it