Pickleball pros know that the best place to win points is at the kitchen line but the hardest part is actually getting there. So we're going to give you the secret breakdown to get to the kitchen line every single time — by learning and practicing the reset shot.
What is a pickleball reset?
A pickleball reset is a shot that you hit into the kitchen to neutralize your opponents. Many times, your opponent will hit an aggressive ball at your feet, trying to keep you back. A reset will allow you to move forward and gain ground toward the kitchen.
A reset is most commonly hit in this transition zone area (the area between the baseline and kitchen line) where you're transitioning forward trying to gain ground.
Learn the fundamentals of how to hit the reset shot and start to get to the kitchen line with ease:
Tip #1: The ready position
When transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen, many players will run forward with their pickleball paddle hanging down by their side, which means they are not ready to hit a ball.
When you get to your ready position, you're going to get to a spot where you split step and you drop your paddle below your waist. Because when you're hitting a reset, your opponent is probably going to speed the ball up and aim at your feet.
If the ball is at your waist or above, it’s probably going out. So in order to be in the ready position for your reset, you will want a nice wide base and to get your paddle down and low, ready to defend your feet. This will help you win more points and get to the kitchen line more often.
Tip #2: Identify your opponent's contact point
Deciding whether you should counterattack or reset when you’re in the transition zone can be really confusing for players. A good rule of thumb is to identify the contact point from your opponent’s contact point (how their paddle is hitting the ball).
If your opponent is hitting from low to high (net level and below) and they're hitting up on the ball, that means that ball is coming up, which is typically a ball that you might be able to hit flat or even hit down on.
However, when you're going to hit a reset, this is typically going to be a ball that your opponents are going to hit from high to low — meaning that ball is coming down towards your feet area. It's more of a defensive shot, but this shot allows you time to get to the kitchen and establish your position.
Tip #3: Paddle face positioning
Your paddle face positioning will be incredibly important to the reset.
If the ball is coming from high to low you want to make sure you have an open paddle face, facing the sky. This is what's going to give your ball loft. A lot of players are scared of loft, but it can actually benefit your game. It will allow you to get to the kitchen line and get established and ready for the point, so it's important to keep your paddle face open.
Tip #4: Less is more
We've already talked about the ready position: having a wide base, getting your paddle low, and opening the paddle face toward the sky. Now you’ll want to focus on: “Less is More.”
With this shot, you don't want a big swing, and you don't want to swing with your elbows or your wrist. It's a very minimal lift with your shoulder (like a shoulder shrug) and “less is more” on the swing. Make contact out front, get nice and low, and lift with your shoulders and your legs, avoiding the wrist and avoiding the elbows.
You will also want to have a nice light grip pressure. If you're gripping your paddle too hard, the ball will fly off the paddle face, allowing your opponent to put it away. So, nice soft hands when you're hitting this shot.
Tip #5: Footwork
One of the most important things you want to remember when hitting pickleball reset is your split step (when you're running and then you stop and have a very wide base).
The best time to split step is when your opponents are about to hit the ball: when you see they're about to make contact with the ball, you should stop, make sure you have a wide base, get very low with your knees, keep your chest up, and get in that position. This will give you enough time to have to adjust because you split step before they hit the ball — it's a very important and key element to this shot.
Drill #1: Static Reset Drill
The Static Reset Drill will help you practice your reset. Here are the steps:
- Whoever's practicing the reset is going to establish themselves right in the middle of the transition zone.
- Your partner will be right across from you.
- They will be working on speeding up the ball at your feet.
- You will be working on hitting reset after reset.
In a game setting, you typically would move forward but since we're just practicing getting reps you should stay in the transition area.
Work on calibrating your shot and loosening your grip. If you feel like you’re over-hitting the ball, make sure that you’re bending your knees and allowing the ball to have loft. That will be what gives you time in a game setting to get to the kitchen line.
Watch this drill in action in the video above.
Drill #2: Work-Up Drill with mandatory reset
Now once you've mastered the Static Reset Drill, you can work on one that's more of a game-like setting. Here are the steps:
- Place yourself behind the baseline.
- You will be straight across from your partner.
- Your partner will simulate what a return is going to be in a game.
- You will hit either a drop or drive and then a mandatory reset shot.
- Once you get to the kitchen line, you can play it out or just go all the way back.
Even if you hit the most incredible drop or drive, always remember that the goal is to practice your reset. This drill will have you practice footwork and a game-setting scenario.
Watch this drill in action in the video above.