Neutralize Aggressive Play & Regain Control with resets

In order to convert the offensive strategy into a genuine strategy, all players must act as if this is their last chance to win.

What Is a Pickleball Reset?

The Key to Staying in Control Under Pressure

In pickleball, a reset shot is soft and controlled. It neutralizes a rally where an opponent is being aggressive. It allows you to regain control of the rally after your opponent has sent the ball with power and pace your way. In tennis, you would do the same thing with a reset shot. For most people who play pickleball, however, it’s the shot we hit most commonly when we need to think about hitting a shot correctly.

How to Perform a Pickleball Reset

Technique for a Perfect Reset Shot
 

The grip and positioning of the paddle are just as important. When you hold the paddle, you should have a loose grip. This is harder than it seems, since most of us think in terms of gripping when we really should be thinking soft and loose. A soft grip really allows for a soft shot that keeps the paddle slightly open at impact.

  • Maintain a brief swing: Resist the urge to take the paddle way back; a full swing will create too many problems with timing and contact point.
  • Ball Placement: Reset with a soft, low shot that lands in your opponent’s kitchen. This kind of reset forces your opponent to immediately go on the defensive as it calls for them to set up after the reset. The objective here is to get your opponent to hit the ball back up to you in a way that gives you the opportunity to take another easy angle at a comeback.
  • Balanced stance: Keep a balanced stance when you are receiving a fast paced shot with your knees just a little bit bent to absorb the pace of the ball. It is absolutely essential to have your feet set in this shoulder-width-apart position and to be in a ready position so that you can move in any direction as the ball approaches.

Common Mistakes

Striking Too Forcefully

A gentle reset is what you want. A powerful reset encourages the other side to respond, and you want to avoid that aggressive response.

Too Much Backspin

If too much backspin is applied, a ball will float or bounce too high. This makes it easy for opponents to attack.

Poor Placement

Your opponent stays in control when the reset goes near mid-court rather than in the kitchen.

Losing Balance

You will not be able to take the shot consistently if you are not balanced when taking it.

Incorrect Grip Pressure

Keeping a less tight hold on the paddle lets it handle the ball’s pace more effectively.

How to Fix Reset Shot Mistakes

Adjustments to Improve Your Reset Game
  • Relax Your Grip: Keep your hold on the paddle loose enough that it can absorb the speed of the ball.
  • Aim Lower: Ensure that the projectiles which land in the cooking area do not ricochet upward into a space where they might hit someone.
  • Focus on Footwork: Get to the proper position in plenty of time, and make sure you are balanced and even before you go ahead and make the shot.
  • Take a Gentle Approach: Think of the reset as a carefully played drop shot, not an overplayed inline volley.

Drills to Improve Your Resets

Under pressure, controlled resets should be practiced
  • Partner Reset Drill: Have a partner drive fast-paced shots at your feet while you concentrate on softening the ball into the kitchen.
  • Transition Zone Reset Drill: Commencing from the baseline, drills for resets are executed while progressing toward the kitchen. Upon reaching the kitchen zone, one should hone the art of administering resets, yet this time with a greater degree of control.
  • Wall Reset Drill: Position yourself a few feet away from a wall, and then work on achieving soft resets with the wall as your target.
  • Kitchen Line Reset Drill: Position yourself at the kitchen line as your partner takes rapid-fire shots at you. Your task is to not just hit the ball back, but to absorb its speed and deliver it, not just underhand, but softly enough to land in the kitchen.
  • Live Game Reset Challenge: Point play where your target is to reset every rapid-fire shot into the kitchen.

Your Pickleball Technique Toolkit

Backhand

The shot on your non-dominant side

dink

A soft shot with a big impact

drills

Repetition with intention

drive

A fast-paced, offensive shot

drop

A soft landing that sets you up for success

flick

A sudden, aggressive shot from a neutral position

Forehand

Your go-to shot for control and power

Lob

High shot to move opponents backward

Overhead

Powerful smash to finish the point

punch volley

A quick, compact volley that redirects pace

Reset

Soft shot to slow play and regain control

Return

Deep shot to push opponents back

roll

A topspin-heavy shot designed to dip quickly and kick high

serve

The first shot that sets the tone

spin

Control the ball’s bounce, flight, and direction

transitioning

The space between defense and offense

Frequently Asked Questions

A reset shot in pickleball is a soft, controlled return that neutralizes aggressive play. It’s designed to slow down the rally and shift momentum back to the defensive player by landing the ball in the opponent’s kitchen.

Use a reset shot when your opponent is hitting with power and pace. It’s most effective under pressure, allowing you to regain control and force your opponent into a defensive position.

To execute a reset, use a loose grip, maintain a short swing, and aim for a soft shot that lands low in the kitchen. Keep a balanced stance with knees slightly bent to absorb the ball’s speed.

Grip pressure affects shot softness. A loose grip helps absorb the ball’s pace and prevents over-hitting, which is key to executing a successful reset.

Mistakes include hitting too forcefully, applying excessive backspin, poor ball placement near mid-court, losing balance, and gripping the paddle too tightly.

Focus on relaxing your grip, aiming lower, maintaining proper footwork, and approaching the reset like a drop shot. These adjustments help you stay consistent and in control.

Try the Partner Reset Drill, Wall Reset Drill, Kitchen Line Reset Drill, and Transition Zone Reset Drill. These exercises build control, timing, and precision under pressure.

Placing the ball in the kitchen forces your opponent to reset their stance and respond with a softer shot, giving you a strategic advantage in the rally.

Proper footwork ensures balance and readiness. Being in position with knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart helps you absorb fast shots and execute resets effectively.

Yes. Reset shots are a strategic tool to neutralize aggressive play, slow down the rally, and regain control. They shift the tempo and allow you to dictate the pace of the game.

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