POACHING TIPS
* You do not
need to be especially quick or fast to be an effective poacher. You have to pay
attention to your opponent and to where the ball is coming from and where it is
probably going.
*
A good poacher does not even have to be a great volleyer to be effective. By moving and
cutting off angles, the poacher can force the opponents into hitting lower
percentage, more difficult shots, and can thus force them to commit more errors.
*
Most often, an effective poacher is not
"sneaking" over to cut off shots, not always trying to surprise the
opponent. The stealth poach can be an effective move occasionally;
most of the time you want
the opponent to see or sense your "move."
*
Speaking of "fakes," they can be very
powerful, controlling weapons. Against certain players a lean or nod
or step toward the middle can guarantee a shot down your alley. Hmmhhh.
*
The choreography of a strong poach is a lateral
move and then a step into the ball - a move parallel with the net
to get into position and then a shift of your weight in toward the ball.
* If you decide
to try and poach more, you will be "punished" and look a little
foolish occasionally. You are experimenting with some new tactics. When
you become a great poacher, you will also be "punished" and look a
little foolish occasionally. That is okay because for every time you look
"foolish" and "give away" one point, you will probably win five
other points.
*
Deciding to poach or cut off a shot after it has
been hit is often too late. If you were not thinking about cutting
it off before it was hit, you should probably let your partner play the shot.
*
Never apologize for those frame-rattling winners
that carom off your racquet when you cut a ball off. You were smart
enough to be in the right place to make the play. You deserve the point.
*
Direct your poached volley where it will
be effective - angled into the open court, at the feet of an opponent, or deep
right down the middle.
* If your
partner feels the tennis court is divided down the middle line and balls
that would land on one side belong to one partner and balls that
would land on the other side belong to the other partner, get a new partner.