Poaching and switching

Setup

1. Two pairs at the kitchen lines. Protective eyewear on: poaches are put away close to the net.
2. Pairs agree their calls before starting, for example 'mine' for the poacher and 'switch' for the partner.

How it runs

1. One crosscourt pair dinks (A1 and B2 in the diagram). The partners on the other diagonal (A2 and B1) stand ready but don't play unless they poach.
2. When a crosscourt dink floats or sits high, the nearest straight-on player (A2) calls 'mine', moves across the middle and volleys it.
3. As soon as the poacher commits, the partner calls 'switch' and slides behind to the poacher's old side. The poacher carries on to the partner's side.
4. Play the point out as normal doubles. After 5 points, change which diagonal dinks so every player poaches and covers.
5. Score: normal points, plus a bonus point for a pair that completes a clean switch and wins the rally.

Coaching points

• Poach on a ball you can hit down: one floating above the net, not a low dink.
• Move on the opponent's contact, not before: going early shows the poach and opens the line.
• Volley the poach through the middle or at the feet of the opponent straight across. Below the shoulders, never at the face.
• Commit fully. A half-poach leaves both partners in the middle and both sidelines open.
• The switching partner moves behind the poacher, so they never collide.
• Standard volley rules apply on the move: feet behind the kitchen line and no momentum into the kitchen.

Common mistakes

• Poaching a ball that is below the net and popping it up.
• No call, so the partner doesn't know to switch.
• Both players reaching for the same middle ball.
• Switching in front of the poacher and getting tangled.