Intermediate
Reset
A reset is a soft, absorbing shot that takes pace off a hard-driven ball and drops it into the kitchen, neutralizing an attack and restoring a neutral rally.
When under pressure from a drive or speed-up, a reset uses soft hands and a relaxed grip to deaden the ball so it lands unattackably short. It is the defensive counterpart to the dink and a hallmark of advanced control: rather than trading hard shots, the resetting player calms the point and waits for a better ball.
Example
Facing a hard drive, a player softens the grip and resets the ball into the kitchen instead of blocking it back fast.
Related terms
- DinkA dink is a soft, controlled shot hit from near the kitchen line that arcs just over the net and lands in the opponent’s kitchen, forcing them to hit up.
- VolleyA volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. In pickleball it must be struck while standing outside the kitchen.
- Third-Shot DropThe third-shot drop is a soft shot hit from the baseline that lands in the opponent’s kitchen, giving the serving team time to advance to the net.
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