What are the Do's and Dont's of Poaching in Doubles?
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

When you first start playing doubles, there's a kind of unspoken rule that you've got to protect your alley when you're at the net. Well, that's perfectly true, especially when your partner serves wide. But it's also important to poach occasionally. If you don't, you put no pressure on the receiver, which puts more pressure on your partner coming in behind his serve. That's a scenario that will eventually lead to you conceding a service break.

There are two kinds of poaching in doubles. One is an opportunist gambit, whereby the net player spots a weak shot and risks crossing in front of his partner to take advantage of it, and the other is where both players execute a pre-planned switch of sides (usually to intercept a service return).

If you and your partner opt for a pre-planned switch, it's usually a good idea for the server to aim down the middle, because this reduces the angles available to the receiver and makes it less likely that the net player will have to protect his alley.

The net player should always be looking for an opportunity to take out a weak crosscourt shot during a rally, especially when an opponent is forced back behind the baseline. Like the pre-planned switch, an opportunist poach should result in a switch of sides. The poacher should commit to it 100%, targeting the area occupied by the receiver's partner, and his partner should cover for him.

An important aspect to successful poaching is cutting off the ball on an angle, closing in on the net as well as moving across. This diagonal movement ensures the ball has less time to get away from you and also allows you to get some weight transfer into your volley.

Timing is crucial. If you make your move too soon, your opponent will see it and hit down the line. Try to time your poach so that you move when your opponent starts his forward swing. At that point he is committed to the shot and is unlikely to be able to change direction.

When your partner's serving, protect your alley by all means, but don't make life too easy for the receiver - be a gamekeeper, but turn poacher occasionally!

Regards.

Dave Winship