What Is a Reset
A reset is a soft shot that takes pace off the ball and lands in the kitchen or near it. When someone is attacking you, you're not trying to win the point. You're trying to make the ball unattackable so you can get back to neutral.
The Goal
Land the ball soft enough that your opponent can't continue their attack. If it drops into the kitchen, they have to let it bounce and hit up. This buys you time to recover position.
When to Use It
When you're out of position. When they're hitting hard at you. When you're stuck in the transition zone. When continuing to bang just gets you in deeper trouble.
Technique Fundamentals
Resets require soft hands and good timing. Here's how to execute them.
Absorb the Pace
Let the ball come to you rather than swinging at it. Soft grip, relaxed arm. You're catching the ball with your paddle more than hitting it. The paddle should give slightly on contact.
Paddle Position
Get the paddle out in front of your body. You need to see the ball hit the paddle. Keep the face slightly open to lift the ball over the net but not enough to pop it up.
Compact Motion
Small movements. No big swings. The harder they hit, the less you do. The power is already there in the incoming ball. You're just redirecting it softly.
Aim Low Over the Net
You want the ball to just clear the net and drop into the kitchen. Too high and it sits up for an easy attack. The ideal reset barely makes it over.
The Mental Shift
This is the hard part for a lot of players. Resetting requires accepting that you're not winning this exchange right now.
Ego Check
You're getting attacked. The natural response is to attack back. But that's often what they want. A reset says "I'm not going to panic, I'm going to make you earn it."
Patience Required
Sometimes you need multiple resets before you can work back to offensive position. That's okay. Stay patient, keep resetting until you get a better opportunity.
It's Not Weak
New players think resets are passive or defensive. Actually they're smart. The best players reset constantly because they know it's the right play in certain situations.
Common Reset Situations
Knowing when to reset is as important as knowing how.
Ball at Your Feet
When a ball is driven at your feet in the transition zone, a reset is often your only good option. Trying to drive it back from that position usually fails.
Caught in Transition
You're moving forward and they hit at you hard. Stop, reset, then continue forward. Don't try to keep running and swing at the same time.
Partner Out of Position
If your partner is scrambling, a reset gives them time to recover. Hitting aggressive shots when your team is vulnerable makes things worse.
Speed-Up Wars
Sometimes exchanges get faster and faster until someone misses. A reset ends that cycle. You're choosing to de-escalate rather than keep trading pace.
Practicing Resets
Drills that help develop the touch required for resets.
Block Volleys
Have someone hit drives at you while you practice blocking softly into the kitchen. Focus on absorbing pace, not generating it.
Transition Zone Work
Stand in no man's land while someone drives at you from the net. Reset until you can move forward. Simulate game situations.
Rapid Fire
Someone feeds balls at you faster than normal. Forces you to simplify your motion and stay compact. Good for developing reflexes under pressure.