The Art of the Poach: A Pickleball Strategy Guide

Have you heard of the term poach in pickleball? It sounds kind of weird, isn’t it? Pickleball has terms that are a bit unusual starting with its name. In fact, people are still unsure about the history of pickleball’s name. Pickleball players are called picklers and then there’s a kitchen in the pickleball court (no, it’s not a literal kitchen where you can make pickles) where you can’t volley. There are also unusual terms in pickleball shots and strategies like the pickleball dink. Another one is the poach in pickleball. 

Let’s dive into the art of poaching in pickleball.

• What is the Poach in Pickleball?
• When to Poach in Pickleball
• Tips for an Effective Poach in Pickleball
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Poach in Pickleball?

Poaching in pickleball is an advanced strategy that when you master it, can be very powerful. Poaching in pickleball is when you cross the centerline to hit the shot intended for your partner. The name actually kind of makes sense because poaching means trespassing on someone else’s property to take something (usually an endangered animal). In pickleball, you’re also technically “trespassing” on your partner’s side of the court to “steal” their shot.

Advantages of Poaching in Pickleball

A poach in pickleball when done right has many benefits.

• Putting Pressure on Your Opponent - poaching in pickleball can take your opponents by surprise. It can also put pressure on them as they always have to be prepared for surprise attacks.

• More Court Coverage - by poaching, you can help cover more ground and make it difficult for your opponents to find open shots.

• Opportunity for Offensive Shots - a well-timed poach can open opportunities for an offensive shot like a pickleball smash or volley.

Disadvantages of Poaching in Pickleball

Poach in pickleball is your friend, as long as you use it right. However, there are still risks for this strategy.

• Accidents with Your Partner - you might bump into your partner and end up falling, especially if they were not informed beforehand.

• Vulnerability - if you poach too much, you might leave your partner not ready for attacks. You will also leave your spot without defense and your opponent can place their shot there.

• Unfair Advantage - some players feel that poaching can give an unfair advantage to one team, especially if the other team is still new to the sport and isn’t used to poaching yet. However, as long as you’re doing it legally, it doesn’t matter. It just boils down to being considerate of your opponent, especially if you’re only playing for recreation.

When to Poach in Pickleball

When poaching in pickleball, it’s best to do it when your opponent hits the ball high as it’s harder to return a low ball aggressively through poaching and you might also end up bumping into your partner. Here are some examples of when to poach in pickleball.

• After the Third Drop Shot in Pickleball - if you’re on the receiving team, your opponent might hit the ball deep into your court to keep you by your baseline. It’s also a great opportunity for you if your opponent hits a weak third drop shot.

• After a Lob - a lob in pickleball is a deceptive shot and your opponent can catch you off guard. If you’re always ready for anything, you can use this to your advantage. Uno reverse-card your opponent and poach that pickleball. This is especially useful if the lob is going to your partner’s backhand.

• After a Weak Volley - if your opponent struggles with doing a volley in pickleball, especially when trying to control the net, this is a great opportunity to use their weakness against them and go into offensive mode.

• Your Partner is Being Targeted by Your Opponents - sometimes, other players will target a weaker player. If you’re the stronger player and your opponents keep on targeting your partner, you can help relieve the stress from them by poaching and changing the game’s pace.

Tips for an Effective Poach in Pickleball

• Communicate with Your Partner - communication is everything when it comes to poaching. If you’re planning on poaching during your game, your partner MUST be aware of what poaching is and you have to inform them of your intentions. You both have to agree with poaching so that no one is taken by surprise. As we have mentioned before, poaching can take your opponent by surprise. Don’t take your partner by surprise. This is to avoid accidents too.

• Consider the Timing - only do a poach when you have a clear advantage out of position or when the ball is hit weakly. Your opponent is considered out of position if they are surprised by a sudden change in pace or direction of play, slow to react, or blocked by their partner. Avoid poaching a ball that was hit low, this can be a disadvantage to you since it’s hard to chase a low ball when you’re still coming from the other side of the centerline.

• Watch the Score - if your scores are close, be careful when poaching as a wrong poach can lead to losing your momentum and allow your opponent to own the game.

• Consider Switching Sides With Your Partner - if your partner is struggling with their backhand and that’s where your opponents keep on hitting the ball, you can switch sides so that your opponents can’t use your weakness against you. This can also surprise your opponents and disrupt their pacing. Alternatively, you can switch sides if you notice your opponents have a weak side so you can use that weakness to your advantage.

• Poach When You HAVE To, not because you just can - Poaching is not an essential shot, it’s a strategy for more experienced players. As mentioned, it’s a powerful tool when you use it right.

• Practice - whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, keep on practicing your poaching skills and practice scenarios so you’re always ready for anything.

• Watch Professional Players - if you watch professional tournaments, you’ll notice the pro players using this strategy. Watch how they do it so you can get ideas on how to effectively poach.

This video of Ben Johns/Collin Johns vs Tyson McGuffin/Riley Newman during the 2021 PPA Orange Cup shows different ways of poaching. You’ll see in this video how poaching is effective with the Johns. Ben, the stronger player, is the one who mostly does the poaching and when he does, Collin would step aside to give him space which proves effective for them. If you see at the start of the video, Newman and McGuffin bump into each other when Newman tries to poach but McGuffin tries to hit the ball at the same time, resulting in them missing the shot. You can see McGuffin's motion for Newman afterward to back off a little.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is poaching in pickleball?

Poaching is an advanced strategy where you cross the centerline to hit a shot intended for your partner. It's like "trespassing" on their side to gain an advantage.

• What are the advantages of poaching?
• Surprise your opponents: It puts pressure on them to be ready for unexpected attacks.
• Cover more court: Increases your team's overall coverage, making it harder for opponents to find open shots.
• Offensive opportunities: Poaching can open up chances for aggressive shots like smashes or volleys.
• What are the disadvantages of poaching?
• Accidents with your partner: Poor communication can lead to collisions if your partner isn't expecting you to poach.
• Leaving your side vulnerable: Poaching exposes your side of the court, potentially giving your opponents an easy shot.
• Unfair advantage (recreational play): Some feel poaching can be unfair to less experienced players unfamiliar with the strategy.
• When is it good to poach?
• High ball: Poaching is more effective against high shots, as low balls are harder to attack aggressively.
• After a weak shot: This could be a weak third shot, a lob, or a soft volley from your opponent.
• Partner is targeted: If your opponent relentlessly targets your partner, poaching can help disrupt their strategy and relieve pressure.
• How can I effectively poach?
• Communicate: Always inform your partner about your intention to poach to avoid surprises and collisions.
• Timing is key: Poach only when it offers a clear advantage, like a weak shot or a surprised opponent.
• Watch the score: Be cautious when scores are close, as a missed poach can turn the tide against you.
• Consider switching sides: This can disrupt your opponent's attack strategy, especially if they exploit a weakness on your side.
• Practice: Sharpen your poaching skills and practice different scenarios to become comfortable with the strategy.
• Observe professionals: Watch pro players and see how they use poaching effectively to learn from the best.
• Can poaching be a risky strategy?

Yes, poaching can be risky if not executed properly. It can lead to collisions with your partner, leave your side vulnerable, and potentially give your opponents an unfair advantage.

• How can I improve my poaching skills?
• Practice regularly: Focus on hitting balls from different angles and positions to develop your poaching skills.
• Watch professional players: Observe how they time their poaches and execute them effectively.
• Play with experienced players: Learn from their strategies and techniques.
• Communicate effectively: Practice clear communication with your partner to avoid misunderstandings and collisions.
• Be patient: Poaching is an advanced strategy that may take time to master.

Poaching in pickleball is a powerful strategy, but you have to be careful in doing it. You have to look for the right opportunity and get your timing right. It’s a strategy that requires a lot of practice that’s why it’s used more by professional players. You have to communicate properly with your partner when you’re planning on doing a poach in pickleball. If poaching is done right, you can take your opponents by surprise and own the game.