Doubles game draws less attention than individual competition in tennis but fortunately many people around the world choose team format to stay active on the tennis court. However to not only play doubles but to do it effectively at the same time players have to understand different tactics used in doubles. One of them is proper use of the net player.

Marcin Bieniek

The traditional position in doubles puts one player on the baseline and one player close to the net. Players stay on opposite sides and cover each half of the court that is a little bit wider than in singles format. Unfortunately, a lot of players don’t train doubles so they are not aware of different possibilities to put pressure on the opposite team and force them to deliver easy balls or to make more mistakes.

It is really important to understand that to play effectively with partner both players have to cooperate. It is not the game of two single players. As we can see on top level good players in singles rarely are also at top level in doubles because team format in tennis needs different skills than individual one. Players who are aware of these skills, train them on a daily basis and incorporate them into every competitive match have much bigger chances to achieve success in doubles.

One of the biggest weapons that doubles teams can use to increase own chances for the final win is to use poaching strategy. Poaching is nothing more than intercepting balls by net players that opponents want to play to the player on the baseline. To make this strategy work players have to be aware of some aspects that will let them choose the right moment to leave their own side of the court and take advantage over the incoming ball.

When to decide to poach?

Only cross-court responses

A lot of players hit too many cross-court shots in doubles because they are afraid of hitting the ball down the line. This approach has some benefits but it also makes player’s responses really predictable. It is worthy to use this repetitiveness to poach more often. After a few successful poaches opponent will definitely feel more pressure and his quality of cross-court shots will also definitely decrease.

After the first serve

It is not easy to control returns while dealing with first serve. It is even more difficult when there is less place to go for because another player is staying at the net. That is why it is a good approach to prepare own poach when partner makes the first serve in. This little motion will put even more pressure on the returner and it is probable that this action will make opponent miss the first ball.

Response to specific shots

Tennis is a game of adaptation. Players have to constantly read opponents’ shots and decide what kind of response will be the most effective in given situation. For net player it means that he has to be aware of difficulties that rival has while playing different shots and use these difficulties to choose the right moment to poach. A lot of players struggle with slice shots or flat and deep balls so it is worthy to consider to move to the other side while being at the net when the opponent responds to these specific shots.

Plan before the point

In doubles as in singles players should have a plan to execute. Knowing that many points in doubles are quite short and based on repetitive patterns players can plan in advance what they want to achieve. Good way to maintain quality poaching is to communicate to the partner when net player is going to poach. When baseline partner knows that after 3 cross-court shots net partner will poach, he can be ready to switch sides and cover other side in case the opponent reads this tactic.

Doubles is a great tennis game that can be played at all levels and at all ages. It creates opportunities for both competitors to build a successful team that will be more dangerous than individual strengths of both athletes. Poaching is one of the aspects that can’t be omitted while playing doubles so players have to understand when to poach and train this aspect as often as possible to feel comfortable while playing the points at the net.

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