Rally Poaching
As discussed in the article Poaching – Part I, many high school players will find themselves in a one-up/one-back situation, where two players rally from the baseline, while the two net players watch on.
In these situations, it is the responsibility of baseline player A to use depth, direction, spins and pace to force baseline player B to: a) make an error; b) hit a short ball which allows player A to attack the net; or c) hit a weak ball which player A’s partner can pick off at the net.
It is the responsibility of the net player to watch for signs that the opponent at the baseline is in trouble and will be hitting a weak ball. This could include the baseliner rapidly backing up to play a deep ball, getting jammed by a ball, or rapidly running forward to hit a very short ball, which he must pop up.
The following, simple drill simulates the one-up/one-back matchplay situation your doubles players will often encounter, and helps them learn how to solve this problem.
| Step #1 –– Two players line up on opposite sides of the court at the baseline, crosscourt from each other. Each player’s partner lines up at the service line in the other half of the court (one player in deuce court, one player in ad court), with the service line players crosscourt from each other.
Step #2 — Either of the baseline players drop-hits a ball and begins a rally with the other baseline player. As soon as the second baseline player hits the ball, the service line players may move to net positions. Step #3 — Players play out the point. Baseline players attempt to use deep balls, short balls, spins and speed to force errors, short balls or weak shots which the net person can pick off. Net players watch for opportunities to pick off weak shot by watching their baseline opponents. Players may not lob during this drill, unless both opponents have taken the net. Watch your net players to make sure that they do not turn around to watch their partners at any time during the point. When players turn around, they lose sight of their opponents, who may be right on top of them by the time they turn back around to face them. Net players will know what their partner is doing by watching the eyes and positioning of their opponents. Step #4 — Play 10 points, then have the net players move back to the baseline and the baseline players move to the service line. Play 10 more points. Step #5 — Repeat the drill, with players beginning the point with a serve. Players may only use a second serve, and lose the point with one fault. Each player serves four or more points. |
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