Find the Trifecta
Set up a poach series: Part 2
The Importance of the "Strike Zone" for Effective Poaching
When you're playing as a net player in doubles tennis, the key to successful poaching isn't just about speed or athleticism; it also involves reading your opponent's strike zone. The concept of the "strike zone" refers to the area where your opponent is most comfortable and effective at making contact with the ball, typically between their waist and shoulder height. Understanding where your opponent’s strike zone lies and how they respond to shots outside of it can give you a significant edge, especially when you’re looking to poach.
Recognizing Your Opponent's Comfort Zone
During the warm-up or early in the match, take note of how your opponents react to different types of shots. Are they comfortable hitting powerful drives from above their shoulders or from below their hips? Do they seem balanced and in control when the ball comes to them at these heights, or do they struggle? Often, when a player is forced to reach up high or squat down low, they can lose control, leading to weaker returns or missed shots.
Pay attention to their body language and footwork. Are they moving quickly to reposition themselves, waiting for the ball to drop into their ideal strike zone or hit it on the rise? Are they getting around the ball with circular footwork or backpedaling to adjust their position, resulting in off-balance, less effective shots? These observations can tell you a lot about where they feel most comfortable.
Poaching at the Right Time
As a net player, your primary goal is to poach when your opponent is in an uncomfortable position. If they are forced to hit a ball outside of their strike zone—whether high above their head or low near their ankles—they are more likely to be off-balance and unable to drive the ball with power or precision. Poaching during these moments allows you to intercept the ball while your opponent is still recovering or resetting, maximizing your chances for an easy winner.
Combining Strategy with Depth
As we talked about in the previous article, depth is another crucial factor in poaching. When your partner hits a deep drive, it forces your opponent to move further back, putting them out of their comfort zone. Now, if the ball is also placed outside their strike zone—too high or too low—they’ll have to make an awkward shot that’s even easier for you to intercept. The combination of depth and drives outside of their strike zone checks off two of the three boxes for successful poaching. The more boxes baseline players check off with their shots the more predictable the poach.
Conclusion
The strike zone is an often-overlooked factor in poaching strategy, but it can be a game-changer when assessing your opponent’s game and deciding what next shot to hit. By observing your opponent’s comfort level during warm-ups and making mental notes of whether they struggle with high or low shots, you can position yourself more effectively to intercept weaker returns. Paired with a deep drive from your partner, you’ll be in an almost ideal position to poach with confidence and capitalize on your opponent's discomfort. Next week we will finish this part of our poach series with the third box to look for when getting ready to poach.