What is a visible soft or hard reset? The run I submitted was the first of the day so I didn't have to reset from anything. Do I just botch a run so I have that footage?

Hi there, I just started running this game and got what i consider a decent time. I submitted it, and it was rejected because I didnt reset... it was my first run of the day. What was I supposed to reset?

Follow-up question. Why is this one of the only games with an insane strictness for barrier to entry?