Doubles strategy
Pickleball Poaching
Poaching, crossing to intercept a ball on your partner's side, is one of the most powerful tools in doubles pickleball when used correctly. It creates chaos in opponents' patterns and generates put-away opportunities. But poorly executed poaches are worse than none at all.
When to poach (and when not to)
Six scenarios, when to go for it and when to let your partner take it.
High ball to your partner's side within your reach
A ball above net height on your partner's wing that you can intercept for a downward volley is the ideal poach opportunity.
Opponents are targeting the same player repeatedly
Poaching a predictable cross-court pattern disrupts opponents' rhythm and makes them uncertain which player to target.
Your partner set up the ball to the middle intentionally
A deliberate shot to the middle creates a ball in the shared zone that either player can take, a 'fake poach' that draws opponents' attention before the real cross.
Low balls at or below net height
Poaching a low ball requires you to hit upward, your opponent can then volley down. Let your partner take low balls and reset.
Ball clearly on your partner's forehand side
Taking your partner's easy forehand disrupts their rhythm and leaves your side open for no net benefit.
When you can't reach the ball before it falls below net height
A half-poach that arrives late results in an awkward, weak return, often directly at opponents at the kitchen.
Poaching principles
Five rules for effective poaching in doubles.
Always signal before you poach
Pre-match or pre-point signals prevent your partner from swinging at the same ball. A fist or pointing finger behind your back is the standard hand signal for 'I'm poaching the next return.'
Commit fully, no half-poaches
If you start the poach, finish it. A half-started poach that abandons halfway leaves neither you nor your partner in position. Either go all the way or let the ball go.
Your partner must shift to cover
When you poach right, your partner shifts right to cover your vacated left side. Without this shift, the poach creates a large gap. Practice the shift as a unit.
Poach to finish, not to redirect
The best poaches end the rally, a put-away volley aimed at the open court or at a retreating opponent. Poaching just to redirect the ball to your partner's side gains nothing and breaks rhythm.
Use it sparingly at first
Recreational players who overpoach lose partner trust quickly. Build credibility with 1-2 successful poaches per game before increasing frequency. Over-poaching that results in errors is worse than no poaching.
Frequently asked questions
What is poaching in pickleball?
Poaching in pickleball doubles is when one player crosses to their partner's side to take a ball that would normally be their partner's shot. A poach is usually an aggressive move, intercepting a weak or predictable ball in the middle for a put-away volley. Effective poaching disrupts opponents' patterns and accelerates rallies. Ineffective poaching (poaching without a put-away) leaves your side of the court open and breaks your partner's rhythm.
When should you poach in pickleball?
Poach when: you see a weak, high ball coming toward your partner's side that you can intercept for a winner; your opponents are targeting the same player repeatedly (poach to change their pattern); or your partner has set up the poach with a deliberate shot to the middle. Don't poach on: low balls below net height, balls your partner has clearly taken, or when you can't reach the ball before it falls below the net, a half-poach that doesn't finish the point is worse than no poach.
How do you signal a poach to your partner in pickleball?
Common poaching signals include: hand signals (a fist = poach, open hand = stay), verbal cues before the serve ('I'm going on the next cross-court'), or simply covering the middle and letting your partner know with a quick word. The most effective poaching in recreational play uses pre-agreed signals so your partner knows to shift and cover your vacated side. Spontaneous poaches without signals leave the poacher's side wide open.
Next steps
Put this into action
Use what you just read to find a game, get on court, and show up prepared.