Workshop › Breakout › Step 21 of 39

Wait on the paddle

What we are doing

A lost ball should not fly off again before the player is ready. We add a state variable, and resetBall() now puts the ball on the paddle, standing still, in the 'serve' state.

```js
let state // 'serve', 'playing', 'won' or 'lost'

function resetBall() {
  state = 'serve'
  ball = { x: paddle.x + PADDLE_W / 2, y: PADDLE_Y - BALL_R, vx: 0, vy: 0 }
}
```

What it means

• state holds which phase the game is in; the comment lists every value it will have.
• resetBall() now sets the state to 'serve' and puts the ball on the middle of the paddle with no velocity.

Your turn

1. Under let bricks write let state with its comment.
2. In resetBall, add state = 'serve' and change the ball line as shown.

Skills: Game states

← Hitting the side of a brick Ride along with the paddle →

All steps

1. The field and the paddle
2. Draw again and again
3. Keep a number inside limits
4. Follow the mouse
5. A canvas shown at another size
6. A ball with a velocity
7. Draw a round ball
8. Move the ball
9. Bounce off the side walls
10. Bounce off the ceiling
11. The open floor
12. Bounce off the paddle
13. Aim with the paddle
14. A row of bricks
15. Draw the bricks
16. A whole wall: a loop inside a loop
17. A color for every row
18. Circle meets box
19. Break a brick
20. Hitting the side of a brick
21. Wait on the paddle
22. Ride along with the paddle
23. Launch the ball
24. Click or press Space
25. Remember which keys are held
26. Steer with the arrow keys
27. Three lives
28. Lives and a hint on screen
29. Game over
30. Keep score
31. Show the score
32. Win the game
33. One function for a new game
34. Play again
35. A burst of particles
36. Break into sparks
37. Move, fall and disappear
38. Fade out
39. Build it yourself: tough bricks