Pickleball Reset
A reset shot in pickleball is your defensive superpower—a way to slow down the pace of a rally, neutralize your opponent’s aggression, and regain control. Whether you’re under pressure or out of position, the reset shot helps you turn chaos into calm by softly landing the ball in your opponent’s kitchen.
Unlike the third shot drop, which naturally progresses the rally to the kitchen line, the reset shot comes later in the point. It’s a lifeline when things spiral out of control, helping you maintain your position at the kitchen line or recover if you’ve been pushed back. Advanced 3.5+ players rely on reset shots to re-establish their dominance in a rally that’s gone awry.
If you landed here from a search and feel this content lacks context, check out the foundational post on the Third Shot Drop:
Pickleball Third Shot Drop – Your Best Third Shot Option
When to Use a Pickleball Reset Shot
The reset shot can save the day in a variety of scenarios:
- Under attack: Defending against a flurry of smashes or speed-up shots.
- In transition: Moving from the mid-court to the net while under pressure.
- At the net: Slowing things down during a fast-paced dink rally that’s getting out of hand.
For example, when you’re dinking at the net and someone loses patience—whether it’s you or your opponent—the pace can escalate quickly. A bad dink or a sneaky speed-up shot can turn the rally into a firefight. If you or your partner hits a weak dink or gets caught off guard, the reset shot is your answer to regain control.
When pushed back from the kitchen line, a reset shot can neutralize the attack, slow the pace, and give you the chance to reposition at the net. It’s all about patience and staying composed under pressure.
Resetting During a Quick Volley Attack
- Speed-Up Shot: Be ready for a fast attack by keeping your paddle out in front with an open face.
- Soft Block: Use soft hands to block the shot gently back over the net. Resist the urge to counterattack unless your opponent’s shot pops up for an easy put-away.
The goal isn’t to win the point immediately but to regain control and slow things down.
Resetting When Pushed Back
- Recognize Trouble: When your opponent winds up for a put-away shot, lower your stance and get ready to defend.
- Adjust Positioning: Take one or two quick shuffle steps back, but stay compact—don’t retreat too far.
- Focus on Control: Use soft hands and a controlled swing to neutralize the pace, softly landing the ball just over the net. If the shot is low, dig it out by gently lifting the ball with your paddle.
A successful reset shot forces your opponent to hit upward, reducing their ability to attack. This gives you the breathing room to work your way back to the kitchen line and reset the rally.
The Art of the Reset
Whether it’s a volley reset or a soft reset off the bounce, the goal is the same: regain control of the point. A good reset shot lands low, often below the net height, making it difficult for your opponent to attack. It encourages them to dink, giving you time to stabilize and re-establish your position.
Resetting requires patience. When things speed up, resist the temptation to match the aggression unless the opportunity is truly there. By slowing the game down, you not only neutralize your opponent’s attack but also put yourself back in a position to dictate the rally.
Mastering the reset shot is a skill that separates good players from great ones. So, the next time you’re in a tough rally, remember: stay calm, reset, and take control.
The illustration below shows a pickleball rally with a reset shot being played.
- Your opponent speeds up a shot at your partner at the net. Your partner responds quickly with a volley back that is popped up a bit to the opponent in front of you.
- The opponent in front of you attacks with a quick volley. You see you will be attacked, and you take a quick step back to defend trying to anticipate where the attack shot will be hit. The shot is good and bounces down with force in your kitchen area. It is not attackable as it is below net height.
- You respond with a reset shot landing softly just over the net. You move back up to the net.
You have reset a rally that got out of control at the net. You could have reacted by trying to hit another forceful shot. You reset because you knew the ball was not attackable and it was best to slow things down again and regain control.
This is a smart and mature pickleball play.
Tips for Mastering the Pickleball Reset
- Stay Balanced: Good positioning and balance are critical. Without these, your reset shot will lack precision.
- Soft Hands: The reset drop requires a gentle touch to absorb the ball’s pace and control its placement.
- Paddle in Front: Keep your paddle in front of you with an open face.
- Anticipate the Play: Watch your opponent closely to anticipate their shot and adjust your position quickly.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The reset drop shot requires repetition to build confidence. When warming up, have your partner hit fast paced shots at you while you are both at the net. Practice responding by hitting multiple soft reset shots back at your partner focused on just dropping the ball back over the net.
Why the Pickleball Reset Matters
The reset shot is your lifeline when the rally spirals out of control. Instead of conceding points to aggressive opponents, a well-timed reset allows you to stay in the fight and maintain a chance to turn things around. Over time, recognizing when to reset and how to execute it will feel natural. You’ll instinctively reposition, slow the pace, and regain control of the rally like a seasoned pro.
Key Takeaways
- The reset shot is a defensive tool designed to neutralize your opponent’s attack by hitting a soft shot that drops just over the net.
- Positioning, balance, and soft hands are critical to executing a successful reset shot.
- The goal of a reset isn’t to win the point but to slow the rally, regain control, and force your opponent out of their rhythm.
- With consistent practice, the reset shot becomes second nature and sets you apart as an advanced player. You’ll approach tough situations with calm confidence, using resets to elevate your game to the next level.
Mastering the reset shot doesn’t just help you survive—it helps you thrive under pressure.
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Keep Learning
- Watch the video 🎥 below on the Pickleball Reset.
- Read the next post in the Third Shot series: Shake and Bake in Pickleball – How to Execute This Winning Play.
🎥 A Perspective on Resetting in Pickleball
Video courtesy of Mark Renneson at Third Shot Sports
Watch the video on the Pickleball Reset on Youtube.