Comprehensive Guide to Practicing Resets in Pickleball: Strategy and Drills

Comprehensive Guide to Practicing Resets in Pickleball: Strategy and Drills

A reset shot in pickleball is a defensive shot used to neutralize your opponent’s attack and regain control of the rally. Resets are typically soft, controlled shots hit from a difficult position (such as the transition zone or near the baseline) that aim to drop the ball into your opponent’s non-volley zone (kitchen), preventing them from continuing their aggressive play. Learning how to effectively reset the ball is crucial for staying in rallies when under pressure.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover what resets are, when and why to use them, how to execute resets effectively, and detailed drills to improve your reset game.

1. What is a Reset in Pickleball?

A reset is a shot designed to take the pace off your opponent's attack and return the ball softly into the non-volley zone (kitchen). This shot is meant to “reset” the point, slowing down the rally and moving the play from an offensive-driven situation back to a more neutral one.

Resets are commonly used when:

• You are being attacked with fast-paced drives or volleys.
• You are stuck in the transition zone or near the baseline and need to regain control of the rally.

2. When to Use a Reset

1. Under Pressure

• Use resets when your opponent is in an attacking position, particularly when they are hitting fast drives or aggressive volleys.
• If you’re in the transition zone (mid-court), a reset helps you avoid hitting hard, defensive shots from an awkward position.

2. On the Defense

• Resets are ideal when you’re defending from a deep position near the baseline, allowing you to neutralize your opponent’s aggressive approach and regain position at the net.

3. To Slow Down the Rally

• When the rally is moving too fast and you are on the back foot, a reset helps slow the pace and return the game to a more neutral phase. This prevents your opponent from continuing their offensive momentum.

4. Transitioning to the Net

• If you’re moving forward from the baseline or transition zone and are not yet in a good position to attack, resetting the ball into the kitchen allows you to get closer to the non-volley zone line (kitchen line) without taking unnecessary risks.

3. Why Use a Reset?

1. Neutralize Your Opponent’s Attack

• A well-executed reset takes the pace off your opponent’s aggressive shots, forcing them to play softer, more controlled shots, and preventing them from maintaining their offensive advantage.

2. Regain Position

• By using a reset, you can buy time to move forward to the kitchen line, the most advantageous position in pickleball. This shot helps you transition from defense to a more neutral or offensive position.

3. Minimize Errors

• Attempting to return a fast-paced shot with an equally aggressive shot while out of position often leads to errors. A reset allows you to keep the ball in play and force your opponent to play a slower, more controlled game.

4. Force Your Opponent to Hit Up

• By dropping the ball softly into your opponent’s kitchen, you force them to hit an upward shot, which is difficult to attack with power. This gives you an opportunity to regain control of the point.

4. How to Execute a Reset in Pickleball

1. Paddle Position

• Keep the paddle face open: When resetting, you need to “catch” the ball softly on your paddle and lift it into the air with a soft touch. This is done by keeping your paddle face slightly open (tilted upwards), allowing you to loft the ball over the net with little power.
• Paddle in front: Keep the paddle out in front of you, so you're ready to absorb the pace of the ball. This makes it easier to control fast shots and slow the ball down.

2. Soft Grip

• Use a soft grip when hitting resets. A tight grip will send the ball back with too much power, while a soft grip allows you to absorb the speed of the ball and send it back with a softer, controlled shot.

3. Footwork and Balance

• Stay low: Bend your knees and maintain a low stance to stay balanced and better control the shot. Keeping your body low helps you handle fast-paced shots more effectively and gives you more control over your reset.
• Move forward: If possible, use the reset as an opportunity to move forward toward the kitchen line. After hitting the reset, take a few steps forward to improve your court position.

4. Swing Path

• Use a low-to-high swing motion to lift the ball gently over the net. Avoid a large backswing or aggressive forward motion, as this can lead to overhitting the ball.
• The swing should be compact and controlled, focusing on lofting the ball softly into the kitchen.

5. Target the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

• Aim for the middle or front part of your opponent’s non-volley zone. Keeping the ball low and close to the net forces your opponent to hit up, limiting their ability to attack.

5. Drills to Improve Resets in Pickleball

1. Wall Reset Drill

• Objective: Develop a soft touch and paddle control for resets.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand about 5-6 feet from a wall.
  2. Hit the ball softly against the wall, aiming for the bottom third of the wall to simulate the height of the net.
  3. Focus on using an open paddle face and a soft grip to keep the ball low and controlled.
  4. Try to keep the ball within a few feet of the wall, simulating short dinks and resets.
• Focus: Paddle control, soft grip, and hitting the ball with minimal force.

2. Partner Reset Drill

• Objective: Practice resetting against a partner who is hitting aggressive shots.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand in the transition zone while your partner stands near the kitchen line.
  2. Have your partner hit fast, low drives at you.
  3. Practice resetting the ball by absorbing the pace and dropping it into your partner’s non-volley zone.
  4. Alternate between hitting resets and stepping forward after each shot to improve your movement through the transition zone.
• Focus: Absorbing the ball’s speed, using a soft grip, and maintaining balance while moving forward.

3. Cross-Court Reset Drill

• Objective: Develop accuracy and control when resetting cross-court into your opponent’s kitchen.
• How to do it:
  1. Stand diagonally from your partner, both players positioned in the transition zone.
  2. One player hits fast, aggressive shots, and the other player practices resetting the ball cross-court into the opposite non-volley zone.
  3. After a few resets, switch roles so both players practice attacking and resetting.
• Focus: Cross-court accuracy, balance, and proper footwork while resetting under pressure.

4. Transition Zone Reset Drill

• Objective: Practice resetting while moving through the transition zone.
• How to do it:
  1. Start at the baseline, with your partner at the kitchen line.
  2. Your partner hits deep shots, and you hit resets into the kitchen while advancing through the transition zone.
  3. Focus on hitting a reset after every shot and stepping forward a few feet toward the kitchen after each reset.
  4. Continue resetting and moving forward until you reach the kitchen line.
• Focus: Staying balanced while moving forward, controlling resets under pressure, and transitioning toward the kitchen.

5. Reset-to-Volley Drill

• Objective: Improve transitioning from resets to volleys when you reach the kitchen line.
• How to do it:
  1. Start in the transition zone with your partner at the baseline.
  2. Your partner hits fast drives, and you reset the ball into the kitchen as you move forward.
  3. Once you reach the kitchen line, your partner continues to hit, and you transition into volleys.
  4. Alternate between resetting and volleying to develop versatility and control.
• Focus: Smooth transition from defensive resets to offensive volleys, maintaining balance, and controlling the pace of the rally.

6. Summary of Reset Strategy in Pickleball

• Stay calm under pressure: The reset is designed to take control of the point when you’re under pressure. Avoid trying to counterattack aggressively when out of position; instead, focus on neutralizing your opponent’s advantage.
• Focus on soft control: The reset requires a soft touch and an open paddle face to absorb the speed of the ball and send it back into the kitchen. Avoid swinging aggressively.
• Use resets to transition forward: After hitting a successful reset, move forward toward the kitchen line. This allows you to regain control of the point and put pressure on your opponent.
• Practice resets regularly: By practicing resets in various situations, such as when under pressure, moving through the transition zone, and during fast-paced rallies, you will become more comfortable executing this key shot during matches.

By incorporating these strategies and drills into your training, you’ll develop the ability to effectively reset the ball, neutralize your opponent’s attacks, and turn defensive situations into opportunities to regain control of the rally.