PickleFitter

How to poach in pickleball doubles, with drills

When to poach your partner's ball in doubles, how to cross and cover the gap, and three poaching drills, for 3.5 to 4.0+ players.

For players rated 3.5+

When to use it

Poaching is crossing over to hit a ball that was heading to your partner. Done at the right moment, it surprises the other team and finishes the point early, usually with a volley out of the air.

Poach a ball that is high, slow or floating through the middle, when you can reach it moving forward rather than sideways. Your partner then slides over to cover the side you left.

Drills

Your level
Practising

Not sure of your level? What the ratings mean

  1. 1.Middle-ball poach

    Three players3.5

    Trains crossing to take the floating ball in the middle.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inACB
    A floating ball heads through the middle to B. A steps across and in…
    1. You and your partner stand at the kitchen line. A feeder across the net hits soft, high balls through the middle, toward your partner.
    2. Step across and volley each one forward, at the feeder's feet or into the open gap.
    3. Your partner calls 'switch' and slides over to cover the side you left.

    Reps: 3 rounds of 10, then swap sides

  2. 2.Poach the cross-court dink

    Four players4.0

    Trains reading the cross-court dink and stepping in front of it.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inADBC
    A and C dink cross-court; B and D wait.
    1. Play cross-court dinks between the two diagonal players; the other two wait at the kitchen line.
    2. The waiting player on your team may step across and volley any cross-court dink that floats up.
    3. After a poach, the poacher stays on the new side and the partner switches.

    Reps: Games to 11

  3. 3.Poach and cover

    Four players3.5

    Builds the partner's half of a poach: closing the gap so the team isn't left open.

    FROM ABOVEKITCHENKITCHENABCDFROM THE SIDEKITCHENKITCHENnet height34 inACBD
    A poaches the middle ball; B calls 'switch' and slides over.
    1. Play live points. Whenever one partner poaches, the other calls 'switch' and slides across.
    2. Score an extra point if your team covers both sides after a poach; lose one if the other team hits into the gap.
    3. Swap who is allowed to poach every game.

    Reps: Games to 11

Common mistakes

  • Poaching sideways. Move forward and across, so you meet the ball in front of you.
  • Poaching a low ball. If you have to hit up, leave it to your partner.
  • Going too early. Move as your opponent commits to the shot, or they'll hit behind you.
  • Forgetting the gap. A poach that doesn't win the point leaves your side open unless your partner covers it.

What to work on at your level

2.5–3.0Not yet: get comfortable with moving as a team and volleys & hand battles first.
3.5Take the high, slow ball through the middle, and have your partner call 'switch' and cover.
4.0Read the cross-court dink and step in front of it, and fake a poach to draw a shot down the line.
4.5+Read the cross-court dink and step in front of it, and fake a poach to draw a shot down the line.

Paddles that help

Poaches are quick volleys at the net, where a light, balanced doubles paddle is easiest to get into place.

Best Pickleball Paddles for Doubles

Common questions

What does poaching mean in pickleball?
Crossing over to hit a ball that was heading to your partner, usually a volley in the middle of the court.
When should you poach?
When the ball is high, slow or floating through the middle and you can reach it moving forward.
What does the partner do when you poach?
Calls 'switch' and slides across to cover the side you left.

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