ADVANCED by KYLE McMAKIN
ADVANCED DOUBLES STRATEGIES: REPLACING CHAOS WITH ORDER
As you progress from fundamentals to techniques, the next step is strategies, which will help you and your team, control points, get to the net more effectively, cover the court as a team, understand common patterns in attacking and defending. This will remove some of the chaos and replace it with strategic play that is much more predictable and repeatable.
Third Shot Drop as a Team
Utilizing your partner on the third shot drop is a great way to transition into the kitchen or non-volley zone( NVZ) consistently as well as set up opportunities for your team to take advantage in points. Many think of the third shot drop as an individual shot, but when you drop crosscourt in front of your partner, it’ s easier and much more effective. Let’ s say the returning team hit a good return and is going to make it up to the kitchen line like they should. As the serving team, this could be a good indicator to hit a third shot drop. This is where you can work as a team to get to the kitchen consistently.
Hit your third shot drop crosscourt because you have more distance than straight ahead, and a bigger target to hit into. This will get your partner involved. Your partner should start to advance once they see the ball is going to you. Your partner’ s movement forward on your good drop applies pressure on the opponent who is about to hit the fourth shot, making it easier for you to advance. If the opponent chooses to attack your good drop, your partner has the opportunity to counter this attack if it’ s hit at them, or if it’ s hit toward the middle, they can look to poach it.
Poaching
A“ poach” is when the player closer to the net crosses over to hit a ball intended for their partner. Poaching is about shot placement, court position and anticipation. To poach effectively, you want to close toward the net off of your team’ s good shots. If your partner hits a good third shot drop or any shot toward your opponent’ s feet, you can move toward the net and look to anticipate your opponent hitting a ball up. Come to a stop with a split step right before the opponent hits the ball, and be ready to move toward the ball. Cut off the path of the ball and apply pressure with your shot.
If done effectively, this will make it harder for the opposing team to keep your team from getting to the kitchen and they may start to hit more conservative fourth shots. This will neutralize the returning team’ s advantage in points and lead to your team garnering more chances to win points.
This pattern removes chaos and makes the flow of points on
MOVE FORWARD ON YOUR PARTNER’ S GOOD THIRD SHOT DROP, WHICH WILL PUT YOU IN A GOOD COURT POSITION, SETTING UP TO POACH THE OPPONENT’ S SHOT. your serves more predictable. Your team will get to the kitchen with more regularity where you can further advance your strategy.
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