NathanGrapeJuiceIIIyes the skill is in spacing the rocket so that you are not in the splash range. maybe i just think about this because im an ammomod neetNathanif your rocket does damage to an enemy, regardless of if it is splash or direct, it no longer counts as a rocket jump and you are going to take massive damage for no reason
see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWpbKBQ8MlM
eg: dont just shoot someone straight in the face for 100, doing like 80 to yourself, shoot the rocket slightly behind them and do 70 to them and 0 to yourself
also getting good at this can also make you really good at making your rockets unsurfable by medics so it is a very worthwhile skill