August 2003
Bad doubles is taking foolish chances with the first serve. When the netman
doesn't get involved in the point, things don't go to well. Good doubles teams
share the responsibility of winning-the server makes deep first serves, the
netman roams free at the net. (And when one player isn't serving well, the netman
must be more active than ever, even if it means leaving his alley open at times).
Poaching (cutting off the crosscourt return) is the tactic that makes two individual
players a team. Here are some suggestions:
· A successful poach can be made only when you're positioned on the court
properly. Stand close enough to the center so you can touch the center line.
· Serve predominantly to the body, sometimes down-the-middle, once in
awhile wide.
· Communicate poaching intention. (Either with signals or by talking,
the players communicate where the serve is headed and whether the net player
will poach).
· Timing is a critical part of the poach. Wait until the receiver has
committees himself, then take off and don't look back. If you catch up the ball,
hit it at the feet of the net player, or behind him.
· When the net player intercepts the crosscourt return, but does not
put the ball away, the server covers his vacated side.
· When you've made a couple of poaches, successful or not, you've set
yourself up for some fake poaches. A step to the center may draw the ball right
to you.
· Another opportunity to poach is when your partner makes a good return
at the feet of the net-rushing server. When you see the ball going low and crosscourt,
start drifting to the middle of the court. Then go for it.