If you’re looking to take your pickleball game to a higher level, then acquiring the ability to reset the ball will definitely help you get there. Resetting an opponent's shot is a blend of tactical thinking and learning the skills to block a shot.
The opportunity to block a shot and reset the ball into a neutralizing rally is commonly done by taking the ball in the air - as a volley - with the intent of dropping the ball into the non-volley zone (NVZ), which is the most neutral area of a pickleball court.
This blog post focuses on resetting the ball...
When you’re able to successfully neutralize a rally, not only does it keep going, it forces your opponents to hit up on the ball in order for it to carry over the net. As the saying goes “make the other team hit just one more shot” and the saying should continue as “...and force them to hit up on the ball, so you can hit down at their feet”.
The easiest way to picture someone resetting the ball during a game scenario is when all four players are standing behind their respective non-volley lines (NVL) and the ball has been sped up by someone.
Let’s just clarify: their intention is to speed up the play; to catch you or your teammate off guard, it is an offensive move. However, when you make the decision to counter that speed up with a block and reset the ball, you’re aiming for the ball to produce a low bounce that sits lower than the height of the net.
A successful reset will typically lead to a dink from the other team. A huge reason why the reset is so important is that it will allow you to stay in the rally longer.
Maybe you’re not prepared to counterattack someone's speed up either, but, instead of popping up the ball, a reset is like restarting the dinking rally; and puts you into a more controlled position.
Developing the reset will further demonstrate your range of play
There tends to be two types of playing styles at the entry-level: the dinkers and the bangers. For the most part, a person will gravitate towards one style over the other, but, the more familiar people become with the sport, the more it becomes clear that having elements of both styles can make someone a stronger, well-rounded player.
Anyone who adds the ability to reset a rally (midway through a point) will be able to stay in a rally with more patience and control; exhibiting solid pickleball IQ.
Are you already performing this shot?
When you think about it, the 3rd shot drop is a shot that can “reset” the point. As the servers, you’re at the baseline looking to make your way up the court to meet the opposing team at your respective NVL.
With an effective 3rd shot drop that lands into the non-volley zone or at a person’s feet, that person can only do so much with the ball.
What does it take to hit an effective reset shot?
First, keep in mind that for most people this takes a shift in mindset. The choice to reset the ball rather than engaging in a rally that you’re unprepared for is a strategy.
Physically, executing this will take work and repetition. If you don’t have the opportunity to train or take lessons use your rec games as a chance to practice this skill.
Keep in mind that to be able to do this you must have a good feel for the pace and spin of the ball, so maintaining sensitive hands is a great place to start. Over gripping the handle will cause the ball to shoot high, likely much higher than what you’re aiming for.
Here are some common scenarios where one might try to reset the rally by attempting to drop the ball into neutral territory.
1) Someone has lobbed you (or your teammate); and rather than lobbing the ball in return, you can attempt to drop it into the NVZ, which will allow you to make your way back to the NVL.
2) The same scenario as above but your shot is high and the other team is able to volley forcing you to attempt another drop. Or, your shot does bounce but the bounce is high. Their return keeps you back, unable to approach your NVL; in this case, you’re making several attempts to drop the ball and gradually make your way up the court.
3) During a cross-court dinking rally, the opponent has placed a very effective, angled dink which pulls you wide (maybe even off-balance) and exposes the middle of the court. Rather than going back cross court you can attempt to reset the ball by dinking to the person directly across the net from you. This type of reset avoids the other team taking away an opportunity to push the ball into the middle of the court.
This reset drop shot is also very effective when you and your teammate are at the non-volley zone and the other team drives the ball at you from their baseline, however, in order to make this shot effective, it takes a lot of work to refine, because the risk of executing this shot is high.
If, during your drop, the ball bounces high or your drop sits outside of the non-volley zone, you are allowing the other team to advance closer to you.
Anyone with good court movement will be able to hustle to where the ball lands and retrieve your drop, giving them the option of hitting another drive or placing it into an uncovered spot on the court, but this time they’re much closer to you and can use their momentum to put power behind their shot.
Not only does it take away time for you and your teammate to prepare yourselves for the next return you’re getting an even more aggressive shot to deal with.
Resetting the ball is a result of so many common scenarios that occur within a pickleball rally.
If you choose to incorporate this as a part of your game, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that can teach you the requirements for this technique, so be patient with yourself and have fun “playing around” with the various ways to perform this skill.
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