What is Poaching in Pickleball?
If you’re new to the sport of pickleball, you may be wondering what poaching is. Poaching is a strategy used in doubles play where one player crosses over into their partner’s side of the court to hit a ball that was intended for their partner. Poaching can be an effective way to surprise your opponents and win points, but it requires good communication and coordination with your partner.
Alert
Alart: Kuklick, C., & Gilbert, W. D. (2019). Analysis of poaching in doubles pickleball. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 19(5), 735-747.
Tip 1: Communication is Key
The first tip for trying out poaching in pickleball is to communicate with your partner. Let your partner know when you plan to poach, so they can adjust their positioning and be ready to cover their side of the court. Good communication between partners is essential for successful poaching.
Tip 2: Timing is Everything
The second tip for trying out poaching is to work on your timing. You want to wait for the right moment to poach, so you don’t leave your side of the court open for your opponents to exploit. You also don’t want to poach too early, as this can telegraph your intentions and give your opponents an easy point. Practice poaching with your partner and work on getting your timing just right.
Tip 3: Be Aggressive
The third tip for trying out poaching is to be aggressive. Poaching requires a certain level of confidence and aggressiveness. You need to be willing to take risks and move quickly to intercept the ball. Don’t be afraid to go for it when you see an opportunity to poach.
Conclusion
Poaching is a strategy that can be very effective in pickleball doubles play, but it requires good communication, timing, and aggressiveness. Practice with your partner and work on these three tips to master the art of poaching. With a little practice and some good communication, you’ll be surprising your opponents with your poaching skills in no time.
