I've played this game sort of on and off since it's release in 2015, but I'm only sitting at about 600 hours despite the length of time I've played. I'm currently right around D1, and I've been pretty steady around that rank for years now.

Lately I've been getting a lot more into the game and I've been trying to do some training packs and things to improve my gameplay, but I'm noticing a trend that I've seen in the past and I'm not sure how to correct it.

In short, my car control is atrocious. Or at least it feels that way.

A good example of this is earlier today where I was playing some 2v2 and the opposing team had just missed a shot and the ball was bouncing towards their end and I had an open goal. No crazy aerial shot necessary, the ball was just casually bouncing/rolling in midfield. I'm boosting towards it and trying to angle to get the shot on net and... I zip right past the ball. Missed it by what felt like an inch.

I know these things happen even at higher ranks, but it happens to me so often I've gotta be doing something wrong.

I have this same issue with aerials. I feel like I have no control in the air. I can get up to a ball and even occasionally get a decent power hit, but it feels like complete luck each time. Any attempt to alter my position once I'm off the ground is unstable and half the time I end up flailing back to the ground. Meanwhile half the people at my rank are holding air roll the entire time they're in the air and rarely miss.

I've tried the freeplay approach of just getting into the air and trying various maneuvers while staying airborne. I'm usually able to stay up, but I have a hard time with any actual control.

So, any tips on improving my car control?