Lesson 2: The Art of Poaching – Mastering the Surprise Attack in Doubles Tennis

Objective:

Develop sharp poaching skills to disrupt your opponents’ rhythm, create pressure at the net, and turn defensive plays into offensive opportunities. Poaching isn't just about intercepting the ball—it's about reading the game, anticipating weaknesses, and forcing errors to gain a psychological edge in doubles matches.

Coaching Tip:

To build a strong foundation for poaching, emphasize lateral movement drills that mimic real-game scenarios. Encourage coaches to focus on explosive side-to-side footwork, such as quick shuffles or crossover runs, to cover the net efficiently. Remind players that great poachers aren't just fast—they're smart, using split-steps for better reaction time and body positioning to volley with authority. Incorporate verbal cues like "explode!" or "cover!" to build confidence and timing.

Drill Setup Plan:

Equipment Needed: A bucket of tennis balls, 4-6 cones (or markers), a stopwatch for timing movements, and optional mini-hurdles or agility ladders for advanced progressions.

Court Setup: On a standard doubles court, place cones 3 feet apart along the net within the service box area to clearly mark "poaching zones" (e.g., one zone near the centre and another toward the alley). This visual aid helps players visualize their movement paths. Position one player as the server's partner at the net (the poacher), another as the returner on the opposite baseline, and a third (if available) as the server. If group size varies, see adaptations below.

Core Drill Description:

The returner hits 10 controlled crosscourt returns (aiming for depth and consistency to simulate match play). The net player (poacher) must attempt to poach only on weak returns—identified by a coach's signal (e.g., a hand wave or shout of "poach!"). Focus on quick lateral movement: time how long it takes the poacher to cross into the zone and intercept the ball with a volley. Emphasize proper footwork (e.g., staying low, using small adjustment steps) and timing (commit early but not prematurely to avoid leaving gaps). After a successful poach, the poacher should aim to put the ball away aggressively. Rotate roles every 10 returns to ensure everyone practices poaching, returning, and serving. Track successes (e.g., intercepted poaches) to gamify the drill and motivate players.

Duration: 15-20 minutes, with built-in breaks for feedback and role rotations to maintain energy levels.

Progressions: Scaffolding Learning with Layers of Difficulty

To help coaches tailor the drill to players' skill levels, introduce progressions that build from basic fundamentals to advanced game-like pressure. This scaffolding approach allows beginners to gain confidence while challenging experienced players, preventing frustration or boredom.

1. Beginner Level (Foundation Building):

• Simplify by having the returner feed slower, higher-bouncing balls crosscourt (no full serves yet).
• Coach signals every poach opportunity loudly and early.
• Focus solely on footwork: no volleys required—just touch the cone in the poaching zone within 2 seconds.
• Goal: 70% success rate on movement timing to build basic lateral speed and awareness.

2. Intermediate Level (Adding Decision-Making):

• Introduce real serves: the server mixes first and second serves, and the returner varies pace (some weak, some strong).
• Coach signals less obviously (e.g., subtle nods), forcing the poacher to start reading the returner's body language.
• Require a volley after poaching, aiming for specific targets (e.g., down the line or at the opponent's feet).
• Add a point system: +1 for a successful poach, -1 for leaving the partner exposed. Goal: Incorporate fake poaches to practice deception.

3. Advanced Level (Match Simulation):

• No coach signals—poachers must decide based on game reads (e.g., returner's off-balance stance or weak contact).
• Increase speed: use a stopwatch to challenge poachers to cover the zone in under 1.5 seconds; add mini-hurdles between cones for agility.
• Integrate opponents: after a poach, play out the point fully, with rallies continuing until a winner.
• Variation: Introduce "punishment" for poor timing, like burpees for failed poaches, to heighten intensity. Goal: Achieve 50% poach success in live-point scenarios to mimic tournament pressure.

Coaches should assess group readiness and advance progressions only when players master the previous layer, providing positive reinforcement and technique tweaks along the way.

Adaptations for Various Player Numbers: Keeping It Engaging with Uneven Groups

Doubles drills can falter with odd numbers or small groups, so these adaptations ensure inclusivity, maintain flow, and keep everyone active. Rotate players frequently to avoid downtime, and use waiting time for shadow drills (e.g., practicing footwork off-court).

• 2 Players: One acts as both server and poacher (starting at net after a self-feed serve), while the other returns. Alternate every 5 returns. To add engagement, turn it into a competition: track poach successes and award "points" for creative volleys.

• 3 Players: Standard setup—one server, one net poacher, one returner. The server can join the returner side after their serve for a quick rally if poached successfully. Rotate clockwise every 10 returns to cycle roles evenly.

• 4+ Players (Even Groups): Divide into pairs on each side for full doubles simulation. One pair serves/returns while the other opposes; poach on weak returns. Switch sides every 10 points for variety. For larger groups (6-8), set up two parallel drills on adjacent courts or rotate "subs" in as coaches' assistants to signal poaches.

• Uneven Groups (e.g., 5 or 7 Players): Use a "king/queen of the court" format—designate one poacher who stays if successful, while others rotate in as returners or servers. The extra player(s) can act as ball feeders, scorekeepers, or "opponent shadows" (mimicking movements to distract). To boost engagement, incorporate team challenges: groups compete for the most poaches in 5 minutes, with losers doing fun forfeits like high-fives around the court.

These adaptations minimise idle time, foster teamwork, and allow coaches to scale intensity based on group dynamics.

Multiple-Choice Scenario: Test Your Poaching Instincts

Imagine you're the server's partner at the net in a tight doubles match. When should you commit to a poach to maximise disruption?

a) When the returner is preparing a crosscourt return (too early—risks leaving your side open).  

b) When the server hits a weak second serve (poach opportunistically if it forces a soft return, but read the play).  

c) When the returner is out of position (ideal—exploit their vulnerability for a high-percentage intercept).  

d) Only when signalled by the server (safe but limits spontaneity; great for beginners, but pros read independently).

Hint

1. Split step as the returner strikes the ball.
2. Read cues — racket face, body angle, contact point.
3. React decisively (poach, hold, retreat).
   Reinforce that closer to the net = more pressure, but it also requires sharper reactions.

• Tennis balls
• 4 cones (mark starting and coverage zones)

• Place a cone in the centre of each service box near the net (starting position for server’s partner).
• Feeder stands at returner position, hitting varied returns (crosscourt, down-the-line, lob).
• Server (optional) can serve to simulate match tempo.

1. Server’s partner starts at cone (central net position).
2. Feeder hits 10 returns in mixed patterns:
   • Crosscourt (default in doubles)
   • Down-the-line (threatening the partner)
   • Lob (forcing retreat)
3. Server’s partner adjusts dynamically:
   • Poach on crosscourt if opportunity
   • Protect line vs. down-the-line
   • Retreat to cover lob and reset

• Ready stance & split step timing
• First step explosiveness
• Court awareness and “seeing” both opponents

• Returns are predictable: 5 crosscourt, 5 down-the-line.
• Focus on footwork, positioning, and timing without mental overload.

• Feeder randomises between crosscourt, down-the-line, lob.
• Partner must read cues and react live.

• Add real serving — no feeder role.
• Server’s partner reacts to actual match pace.

• Returner mixes in soft angles and drives.
• Partner decides to hold position or poach based on ball quality.

• Point for each successful interception or covered lob.
• -1 for missed poach or leaving area open.

• One server’s partner, one returner, one feeder/server rotating every 10 balls.
• Returner can alternate between feeding realistic returns and attempting to win point.

• Two courts or half-court rotations.
• Waiting players act as “lob feeders” from baseline to keep net player guessing.
• Introduce “shadow poach” lines for off-court players to practise movement pattern before rotating in.

• Split into mini-stations:
  1. Positioning & poaching drill (main court)
  2. Lob coverage footwork (off court with cones)
  3. Anticipation cue reading (coach feeds soft returns and players call direction before moving)

• Force the server into a defensive position
• Avoid giving the net player an easy volley
• Create time for the returner and partner to take an offensive position

1. Crosscourt is safer — longer distance, higher net clearance, and away from net player.
2. Low trajectory wins — makes volleying difficult.
3. Feet are the target — servers hate hitting up on the next ball.

• Tennis balls
• Target mats or large flat cones

• Place a target mat in the deep crosscourt corner near the server’s feet (on their baseline side).
• One player serves, another receives.
• Coach feeds if serves are inconsistent.

1. Server plays a realistic serve (or coach feeds).
2. Receiver aims return into crosscourt target area:
   • Low over the net
   • Controlled pace
   • Skimming past net player
3. Score 1 point per accurate target hit.
4. Rotate roles after 10 returns.

• Early preparation and split step timing
• Contact point in front of body
• Weight transfer into shot

• Use hand or racket feeds to simulate serves at slower pace.
• Focus on clean contact and target hitting.

• Add live serves to create more realistic timing challenges.

• Add an active net player who moves to intercept returns.
• Forces receiver to disguise and sharpen crosscourt aim.

• Feeder varies serve direction; receiver must choose between crosscourt to feet or deep lob.

• Play out points starting from serve and return.
• Returner scores extra if first shot lands in target zone.

• Rotate: Server → Receiver → Net Player (active or shadow movement).
• One rests or acts as feeder.

• Station 1: Serve-return-target drill.
• Station 2: Mini-court accuracy challenge (return into small area from feed).
• Swap stations every 5 minutes.

• Multiple mini-courts with reduced playing space to increase reps.
• Use competitive ladder format (winners move up).

• Tennis balls
• Cones or spot markers

1. Opponent’s net player receives a visual or verbal cue from the coach to poach on the incoming return.
2. Feeder hits a return—vary depth and pace—to force reaction.
3. Receiver’s partner moves crosscourt from cone to cone to cover the open court.
4. After 10 poaches, rotate roles: poacher → receiver’s partner → feeder → next in line.

• Two Players: One player alternates between poacher and receiver’s partner every five balls. Use a stopwatch to time each lateral shuffle and challenge personal bests.
• Three Players: Two players feed and poach in alternation while the third covers the net. Rotate every eight poaches in the order feeder → poacher → receiver’s partner → rest, letting the resting player rally deep lobs to maintain engagement.
• Four Players: Form two pairs. Pair A practices poaching and net coverage while Pair B feeds from the bench. After 10 poaches, swap pairs. Keep a tally of successful covers to spark friendly rivalry.
• Five to Six Players: Split into two courts with three players each: one feeder, one poacher, one net cover. After each group completes 10 poaches, swap feeders with net covers. Display results on a whiteboard to drive momentum.

• Tennis balls
• Chalk or spot markers

1. Server and partner position in i Formation (partner at the marked spot directly behind the server).
2. Server practices a first serve—varying wide, body, and T serves—while signalling left or right for the net player’s poach direction.
3. Net player moves instantly after the serve, either toward the alley or into the centre lane to intercept or feign.
4. Receivers attempt a return.
5. After 10 serves, rotate: server → net player → receiver → next in line.

• Two Players: One player serves and nets in i Formation while the other returns. Switch roles every five serves. Time each poach reaction and aim to improve personal bests.
• Three Players: Rotate through server → net player → returner every eight serves. The “off” player practices signal timing from the side-lines by calling left/right without moving.
• Four Players: Form two serving pairs. Pair A uses i Formation against Pair B’s returns. After 10 serves, pairs swap roles. Track successful net poaches to spark friendly rivalry.
• Five to Six Players: Split into two courts with three per court: one server, one net player, one returner. After each group completes 10 serves, rotate so every player experiences all three roles. Use a whiteboard to record poach success rates and maintain engagement.

• Record a few serve-and-poach sequences on video to analyse split-step depth and movement angles.
• Introduce silent signalling (hand gestures) so the returner cannot anticipate direction.
• Add a second server on the ad side creating a two-server rotation, forcing partners to adjust spacing dynamically.
• Challenge players to call out “poach” or “stay” in real time, reinforcing communication under pressure.

• Tennis balls
• Cones or spot markers

1. Server delivers 10 serves from the deuce side, targeting wide or body to lure a down-the-line return.
2. Net player begins on the marked cone, then pushes laterally toward the alley to poach the return.
3. Receiving team attempts to counter the formation with crosscourt or lob returns.
4. After 10 serves, rotate roles: server → net player → returner → feeder/next in line.

• Two Players: One player serves and nets in Australian Formation while the other returns. Switch roles every five serves and use a stopwatch to measure poach reaction times.
• Three Players: Assign one feeder, one server + net player, and one returner. Rotate every eight serves: feeder → server → net → returner, keeping the off-court player practising signal timing from the sideline.
• Four Players: Form two serving duos. Pair A uses Australian Formation against Pair B’s returns. After 10 serves, pairs swap roles. Tally successful poaches to fuel friendly competition.
• Five to Six Players: Split into two courts of three: one feeder, one serving pair (server + net), and one returner. After each completes 10 serves, rotate so every player experiences each role. Display poach success rates on a whiteboard to maintain engagement.

Hint

• Tennis balls
• Cones or spot markers

• Baseline zone for the server’s lob coverage
• Mid-court zone as the transition area
• Net zone for the partner’s volley coverage

1. Serving team adopts their positions: server at the baseline cone, partner at the net cone.
2. Returner (or feeder) delivers 10 shots, alternating between lobs and passing drives.
3. Server retreats to cover each lob; net player steps wide or diagonally to intercept passing shots.
4. After 10 balls, rotate roles: server → net player → returner → next in line.

• Two Players: One serves and nets while the other returns all shots. Swap roles every five balls. Use a stopwatch to record how quickly the server recovers to the baseline, then challenge personal bests.
• Three Players: Assign roles as server, net player, and feeder/returner. Rotate every eight shots in the order feeder → server → net player → rest. The resting player warms up by rallying deep drives from the side court.
• Four Players: Form two serving pairs and two feeders/returners. Pair A practices court coverage against Pair B’s returns and lobs. After 10 balls, switch roles. Keep score on coverage success (lob catches vs. passing interceptions) to drive competition.
• Five to Six Players: Split into two mini-courts: one serving duo + one feeder/returner per court. After each group completes 10 balls, rotate so every player experiences server, net player, and returner roles. Track coverage percentages on a whiteboard to spark energy.