Random Tennis Thought - Apply Pressure

Playing the Net
This position on the court is critical for the success of the team. Your job is extremely important regardless if you get to hit the ball or not. “You are the most aggressive player on the doubles court” and opponents need to fear you.
When your partner is serving in doubles, your Ideal Volley Position, I.V.P, is half-way between the service line and the net, and half-way between the middle and the singles line. From this position, you will mirror the ball to get in the ideal attacking position.
Your goals while you are at the net, D.A.D.
D = Distract / Apply Pressure
A = Attack / Poach
D = Defense
D= Distract / Apply Pressure
Forces opponent to concentrate not only on hitting the ball, but on making sure
to keep the ball away from the net player, who then, many times, will attempt low percentage shots.
A= Attack /Poach
What is poaching?
Poaching in tennis is done by a player at the net. The player moves across the court to volley the ball out of the air. The goal of the poach is to end the point with a winner or forced error.
Poaching is most often done when your partner is serving. But you can also poach during a groundstroke rally, or even when all players are at the net.
In order to be a good Poacher, you must:
-be active & determined
-understand how to move, we move in an angle toward the center strap.
-whom to target: our ideal target is the player closest to you because he/she is the one who has less time to react.
-know when to move: Depending on your partner's shot or where your opponent is on the court.
If your partner's shot is very dominating, you will move before he/she hits the ball.
If your opponent is not in a good court position, you will move when he/she is about to hit the ball.
-Read clues, such as court positioning, tendencies, strength and weaknesses.
D = Defense
If you are not able to poach and the ball is going back to your partner at the baseline, you will go now in a defensive position at the net,
that position is at the service line and one or steps from the “T”.
This spot allows you to see what the opposite net player is doing and it gives you a little extra time to react if your opponent hits a volley towards you.
Please remember that when you are at the net you have to think OFFENSE as well
As DEFENSE.
*It takes TWO to poach. Baseline player sets up and the Net player POACHES
It takes ONE to APPLY PRESSURE. Regardless of the quality of the baseliner's shot, the net player moves constantly.