A reset shot in pickleball is a defensive shot used to slow down the pace of the game and regain control of a rally. You use it when you’re out of position or under pressure from your opponent’s aggressive shots, the reset shot neutralizes their attack by slowing things down and softly landing the ball in the opponent’s kitchen.
Unlike the third shot drop, which is part of the rally’s natural progression to the kitchen line, the reset shot is used later in the point. It’s all about slowing things down and regaining composure. You’re trying to keep your position at the kitchen line or trying to get back to the kitchen line if you’ve been pushed back.
Advanced 3.5+ skill level players reset points that get out of control to retain or re-establish their strong position in the point.
When to Use a Pickleball Reset Shot
The reset may be needed in many different scenarios and court positions. You might be under attack from a series of smash attempts. You could be in the transition zone trying to get to the net or you might be at the kitchen line and exchanging dinks that turn into fast paced shots. In any of these scenarios, you use the reset shot to slow the point down and reposition yourself into a favorable position
The reset shot is often needed when you are at the net and things speed up and get out of control. Things start under control as you go back and forth with your opponents hitting dinks and soft volleys.
In pickleball, when you are at the net, if nobody makes a mistake hitting into the net or out of bounds, eventually there will be an attack made by you or your opponent. This could happen when a bad dink is played or when someone loses patience and wants to try to end the point.
As things unfold, you or your partner may hit a bad dink shot that is attacked by your opponent. Your opponent may also lose patience and hit a dink fake speed up shot right at you trying to end the point.
You may be pushed back from the kitchen line, and you need to get back into position and slow things down. You reset by executing a soft shot just over the net. This slows things back down, neutralizes your opponent’s attack, and creates the opportunity to reset your position at the kitchen line if you’ve been pushed back.
Resetting in pickleball requires patience. When you’re caught in a fast-paced exchange at the net and you get pushed back from the kitchen line, you need to resist the urge to fire back at an unattackable shot that bounces low. Instead, stay calm and use a soft shot to slow the point down, regain control, and reset the rally.
Normal Pickleball Reset on a quick volley attack
- Speed up Shot: You are at the kitchen line and your opponent attacks with a speed up a shot.
- Paddle in Front: Be prepared for this by keeping your paddle out in front of you with an open face.
- Soft Block: Use soft hands to softly block the shot back over the net to slow things back down. Resist the temptation to fire back unless their attempt pops up a shot you can attack. You’re not trying to win the point in this case, you are just trying to slow things back down to reset the rally.
Pickleball Reset Shot When You Get Pushed Back
- Recognize Trouble: When your opponent is preparing for a put-away shot and is hitting down on the shot, lower your stance and prepare to defend.
- Adjust Positioning: You might take one or two quick shuffle steps back to defend but stay compact—you don’t want to retreat too far.
- Focus on Control: Once balanced, use soft hands and a controlled swing to take the pace off the ball that is fired at you. You are trying to hit a soft shot that lands just over the net. If your opponent can hit it at your feet, you may be digging out a shot. You reach down anticipating the bounce and softly pull up on the paddle to lift the ball, digging it off the court and gently back over the net.
- Reclaim the Kitchen Line: A good reset shot will end up below net height when your opponent responds, and this is what you need to effectively reset things. Now they can’t attack again and should adjust and dink back a response. If they choose to attack, they will likely make a mistake as they have to hit up on the shot. The reset drop shot isn’t about attacking—it’s about regaining control. Whether it’s a volley reset or a soft reset off the bounce, the goal is always the same: reset the point and work your way back to the kitchen if you’ve been pushed back.
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
Instead of conceding points when things get out of control, resetting things allows you to stay in the rally and maintain a fighting chance. Over time, recognizing when and how to reset will become second nature. You’ll instinctively know how to reposition yourself, slow the point, and regain control.
Key Takeaways
- The pickleball reset shot is a defensive technique used to regain control of the rally by hitting a soft response shot dropping just over the net.
- Positioning, balance, and soft hands are essential for executing a successful reset shot.
- You are not trying to win the point with a reset. The reset shot slows the point and allows you to neutralize your opponent’s attack.
With consistent practice and game play focus, the reset shot will become a skill that sets you apart as an advanced player. You will calmly handle tough situations with a mature response, and this will elevate your pickleball game.
A Perspective on Resetting in Pickleball
Video courtesy of Mark Renneson at Third Shot Sports
Watch the video on the Pickleball Reset on Youtube.