THE COACHING CAMPUS / DRILL LIBRARY
Fifth Shot Reset
Develops the fifth shot reset: slowing the game down from the transition zone and landing the ball softly in the kitchen.
VIEW THE COURT PLAN
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
PLAYERS
2
PRIMARY SHOT TYPE
Reset
TRAINING TYPE
Game
THE EXERCISE
What you're working on
A drill focused on developing the fifth shot reset, the ability to slow the game down from the transition zone and land the ball softly in the kitchen under pressure. While the third shot drop gets a lot of attention, being able to reset from anywhere on the court is an equally valuable and often underappreciated skill. The drill simulates a realistic attacking and defending dynamic, with the defending player working to neutralise the point and transition forward to the kitchen.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
2 paddles, balls, full court with net
01 / COURT PLAN
See how the drill works
Follow the player positions and numbered sequence in the diagram.
CLICK TO ENLARGE THE DIAGRAM
02 / ON COURT
Run the drill
Drill Set Up
Two players. One player in an attacking position, one player in the transition zone defending. Standard court positions with both players on opposite sides of the net.
How to run it
- The defending player feeds a slightly high ball to the attacking player.
- The attacking player drives or attacks that ball back at the defending player.
- The defending player resets the ball with a drop shot landing softly in the kitchen.
- The attacking player continues to apply pressure.
- When the defending player sees an opportunity, they move forward towards the kitchen line to become more aggressive.
- Both players transition into a dink battle once the defending player reaches the kitchen.
- Rotate roles after a set number of repetitions.
Coaching Points
- Keep the ball in front of you at all times, do not let it get behind your body.
- Maintain a wide, low athletic base with the paddle out in front throughout.
- Stay relaxed, a tense grip makes soft resets much harder to execute.
- The reset must land in the kitchen, easy and controlled, not forced.
- Watch for the opportunity to move forward, do not stay passive in the transition zone.
- Being able to reset from anywhere on the court is a strong asset; treat this shot with the same importance as the third shot drop.