A reset is a soft, controlled shot that absorbs an opponent's attack and drops the ball into their kitchen. It is the most valuable defensive skill in the game because it turns a losing position into a neutral one.
The key is softness. Loosen your grip, let the paddle absorb the pace, and guide the ball with an open face. Resets come from the transition zone and from the kitchen line when you are under attack.
Key cues
- 1Loose grip: three or four out of ten
- 2Paddle face open, absorb rather than hit
- 3Aim for the middle of the kitchen
- 4Get low; the lower the contact, the softer the touch
Common mistakes
- Tensing up and popping the ball up
- Trying to counter every attack
- Standing tall in the transition zone