Doubles Positioning and Poaching Drill
Tactics & Point Construction
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop tactical doubles positioning, including net player movement, poaching timing, and communication between partners.
What you need
- tennis balls
- tennis racket
- full court
- 3 additional players
Your focus
Doubles tactics , particularly net player positioning and poaching , are often underdeveloped because most practice time is spent on singles patterns. Understanding when and how to poach gives doubles pairs a significant tactical advantage by disrupting the server's designated plus-one pattern. Communication between partners before each point creates a shared tactical plan that mirrors elite doubles team behavior.
Play full doubles points starting with a serve; before each serve, net player signals poach (cross hand signal) or stay (hand signal).
If poach is signaled, net player moves diagonally across after the serve; server covers the cross.
If stay is signaled, net player holds position and looks for a high, crossable ball to intercept.
Play 20 points per serving team; debrief: which poach attempts succeeded, which were premature, and how did communication affect execution.
Goal
You're there when the poach is timed by what your partner's signal told you, not by guessing, coordinated, not lucky.
Helpful cues
- Signal before the serve, no surprises for your partner.
- Poach when the returner looks away or sets up cross-court.
- Commit to the poach, halfway is worse than not going.
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Coach calls the poach or stay signal from outside the court so players can practice the movement without the added pressure of deciding.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Receiving team also signals their return direction, creating a tactical battle between both teams' pre-point plans.No account needed
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