The Power of the Reset - Part Three of The Mental Side of Pickleball

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been diving into The Mental Side of Pickleball—because great pickleball isn’t just about how you swing the paddle, it’s about how you think. We’ve explored two game-changing skills:

The Power of Presence — staying fully focused and in the moment for sharper clarity, quicker reflexes, better anticipation of your opponent’s next shot, and more joy on the court.

The Power of Reframing Our Thoughts — replacing negative patterns and self-talk with neutral or positive ones to keep your mind productive and your game strong.

It’s been especially rewarding to hear from Club members who are becoming more aware of their thoughts and words during games. That awareness is the first step toward building true mental strength on the court.

In this article, we’ll explore the Power of the Reset—and how to train your mind to recover, refocus, and even anticipate challenges before they happen.

Learning to Reset After Every Point

Quick story which has nothing to do with Pickleball :) Several years ago, my wife and I went out for a nice dinner. Shortly after we arrived, we slipped into a heated discussion, (ie.argument) about something I can’t even remember. At one point, I said, “Hey, can we just have a reset and move on?” Stacy agreed, and the rest of the night was wonderful. It was a reminder that we always have the choice to hit reset when things aren’t going the way they should—and sometimes, that simple decision is all it takes for a fresh start.

That same principle applies on the pickleball court. I often see players miss an easy shot, then let frustration take over, leading to another mistake on the very next point. It’s rarely the error itself that costs the match—it’s the mindset that follows.

I was reminded of this while watching a major golf tournament. The leader hit an errant shot into the water, but instead of unraveling, he regrouped and went on to win. When asked how he recovered, he said, "I told myself that one bad shot and hole wasn’t going to define my entire game.” That’s the essence of the mental reset—letting go of the last point so you can give your full focus and best effort to the next one.

Pickleball moves fast—really fast. And if your mind can’t keep pace, the game will slip away before you know it. You miss a shot. You start overthinking. Suddenly, you’re four points down and already imagining the long walk to the parking lot.

We’ve all been there.

The difference between average players and great ones isn’t that they never make mistakes—it’s that they don’t stay stuck in them. They know how to reset instantly and get back in the game. Here are five simple, practical resets you can use the next time you step on the court.

1. Take a Deep Breath Missed a shot? Feel the frustration rising? Stop. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a beat, then exhale just as slowly through your mouth. This simple act signals your nervous system to calm down, clears your head, and gives you the focus to win the next rally instead of replaying the last one.

2. Use a Reset Word or Phrase Keep a short, positive phrase ready—something like “next shot,” “let it go,” or “you got this.” Say it in your head or pair it with a quick paddle tap with your partner. These little cues tell your brain: reset. The last point is over, and you’re already in the next one.

3. Develop a Physical Reset Ritual Top players often have a small, consistent action that signals it’s time to move on—bouncing the ball a set number of times before serving, adjusting their paddle grip, or tapping the paddle against the fence. Pick a ritual that feels natural to you and use it every time you need to mentally shift gears.

4. Visualize Your Next Point Instead of replaying a mistake in your mind, replace it with a mental highlight reel. Picture yourself making a clean, strong shot or winning the rally. Visualization primes your brain for success and keeps your focus aimed forward.

5. Keep Perspective One point doesn’t define your skill—or the match. Mistakes happen to everyone, even pros. Staying mentally flexible and cutting yourself a little slack protects your confidence and makes it easier to bounce back stronger.

The next time things start to unravel on the court, don’t let one bad point turn into a bad game. Use these resets, get your head back in the present, and play the next shot like it’s the only one that matters. That’s how great players win—one reset at a time.

And remember, these same mental reset tools work off the court too—whether you’re facing a tough conversation, a stressful day, or just life’s unexpected curveballs. Training your mind to pause, refocus, and move forward isn’t just good for pickleball—it’s good for life.