poachingtimingserving team
Poaching Is About When You Go, Not How Fast You Are
Move before the returner reads the ball and you simply open the alley; move too late and the ball has already passed through the middle.
Start with this check
A poach must work with the server's placement and the returner's swing direction; the advantage disappears if the move is revealed early or made hesitantly.
Try these steps in order
- Choose points when your partner serves to the body or T as likely poaching opportunities.
- Move diagonally forward as the returner begins the forward swing.
- Even if you do not reach the ball, keep crossing and have the server cover the opposite space as agreed.
Bottom line
A successful poach is defined less by a volley winner than by the timing of switching sides with the server.
Reviewed sources
Technical evidence is shown separately from community topic signals.
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