Learn when and how to poach effectively off your partners third shot—a high-level doubles strategy that catches opponents off guard and wins easy points.

How to Poach Off Your Partner's Third Shot (Pro Tips)

Poaching—moving across the court to take a ball that's technically your partner's responsibility—is one of the most effective yet underused strategies in pickleball doubles. When done correctly, it can win points outright, disrupt opponent positioning, and create pressure that lasts the entire match.

The most effective poach opportunity? Off your partner's third shot. This is when opponents are most vulnerable, most focused on the ball, and least prepared for aggressive movement.

Here's how to execute this pro-level strategy.

Understanding the Third Shot Poach

What it is: Your partner hits the third shot drop from the baseline. As they move forward, you (already at or near the kitchen line) move laterally to intercept the opponents' response before it reaches your partner.

Why it works:

Opponents are watching the ball, not you
They're preparing to respond to your partner's third shot
They don't expect aggressive movement this early in the point
Your angle from the cross-court position is devastating
Your partner is still moving forward and can't be attacked effectively

When it works best:

Your partner hits a good third shot drop
Opponents are right-handed playing against your right-handed partner
The opponent on your side hits a predictable cross-court return
You have a forehand (usually) and they have a backhand

Reading the Situation

The Setup: Watch your partner hit their third shot. As soon as the ball leaves their paddle, shift your attention to your opponent—the one on your side of the court. Read their body language:

Leaning forward: They're coming to the net, likely hitting a soft dink
Open stance: They're preparing for a groundstroke, probably cross-court
Backhand grip: They're limited in their options
Looking at the ball early: They're not watching you

The Trigger: When you see your opponent preparing to hit a cross-court shot back to your partner, that's your cue. They're essentially serving you a ball on a silver platter.

Execution: The Perfect Poach

Step 1: Early Movement Start moving the moment you read the cross-court shot. Don't wait to see where the ball goes—by then it's too late. Trust your read and commit.

Step 2: Quiet Footwork Move laterally without jumping or making noise. You want to be a ghost crossing the court. The best poaches happen when opponents don't even realize you've moved until the ball is already past them.

Step 3: Position for the Put-Away Aim to intercept the ball at the kitchen line, ideally before it bounces. You want a high contact point where you can hit down on the ball.

Step 4: The Shot Selection You have three options:

The sharp angle: Hit a cross-court winner into the open court
At the feet: Drive it at the opponent's feet for a winner
The middle: Split the opponents with a shot down the middle

Step 5: Communicate Call "mine" clearly so your partner knows you've taken the ball. This prevents confusion and keeps you both on the same page.

Shot Selection Based on Position

If you intercept before the bounce (volley):

Hit down on the ball
Aim for sharp angles or at the opponent's feet
This is your highest-percentage put-away opportunity

If the ball bounces first:

You have more time but less angle
Hit a firm shot to the open court
Don't try to do too much—just keep it in play

If you're late to the poach:

Don't force it—let your partner take the ball
Get back to your position quickly
Better to pass on a poach than hit a weak shot

When NOT to Poach

Situation 1: Your partner's third shot was weak If your partner's third shot was popped up or hit poorly, opponents will be ready to attack. Poaching into an attacked ball is dangerous.

Situation 2: Your opponent is hitting down the line If the opponent on your side is hitting to your partner down the line, there's no ball to poach. Stay home.

Situation 3: You're out of position If you're not at the kitchen line or your lateral movement is limited (maybe you're backhanded), don't force a poach.

Situation 4: It's late in the game and you're ahead Don't get cute when you're winning. Poaching is a high-reward play but also higher risk. Play solid when you're ahead.

Situation 5: You've already poached recently If you poached two points ago, opponents are watching for it. Give it a rest and set it up again later.

Communication with Your Partner

Before the Point: "I'm looking to poach if you hit a good third shot drop."

During the Point: "Mine!" (loud and clear when you're taking the ball)

After the Point: Discuss what you saw and whether the poach opportunity was there. Communication improves your timing.

Signals: Some advanced teams use subtle signals—maybe touching the paddle face to indicate poaching intentions. Develop your own system.

Defending Against the Counter-Poach

Smart opponents will read your poaching tendency and counter-poach. Here's how to defend:

Recognize the read: If an opponent starts hitting down the line instead of cross-court, they know you're poaching. Adjust.

The fake poach: Start your movement as if you're poaching, then stop and retreat. This baits your opponent to hit down the line—right to your forehand.

Stay home sometimes: For every two poaches, stay home once. Unpredictability is key.

Practice Drills

Drill 1: Poach Recognition

Coach hits third shot drops to Player A
Player B (at the net) watches and calls out whether they would poach or not
Coach hits various returns—some poachable, some not
Focus on reading the situation correctly

Drill 2: Poach Execution

Player A hits third shot drops
Coach feeds balls to Player B's side that simulate poachable returns
Player B practices the lateral movement and put-away
Focus on footwork and shot selection

Drill 3: Live Poaching

Play points with a rule: Player B must poach at least twice per game
Player A hits third shots, Player B looks to poach
Play out the points normally
This builds confidence in execution

Drill 4: Poach Defense

Coach hits third shots to Player A
Coach then hits cross-court returns that Player B is supposed to poach
Coach also occasionally hits down the line to test Player B's discipline
Player B must decide whether to poach or stay home

Common Poaching Mistakes

Mistake 1: Telegraphing If you lean or shift your weight before your partner hits the third shot, opponents will see it coming. Stay neutral until the ball leaves your partner's paddle.

Mistake 2: Over-poaching Poaching on every third shot makes you predictable. Mix it up—maybe 30-40% of the time.

Mistake 3: Poor footwork Lunging or reaching for poaches leads to weak shots. Your feet should get you to the ball, not your arm.

Mistake 4: Not calling it If you don't communicate with your partner, you might both go for the ball or neither go for it. Always call "mine."

Mistake 5: Trying to do too much A poach doesn't have to be a highlight-reel winner. Just put the ball away consistently.

Reading Your Opponents

Signs they're vulnerable to poaches:

They always hit cross-court returns
They have weak backhands
They don't adjust their positioning based on your movement
They're focused on the ball, not the court

Signs they're reading your poaches:

They start hitting more down the line
They watch you instead of the ball
They adjust their positioning to cover the angle
They call out "watch the poach" to their partner

When opponents start adjusting, that's your cue to mix it up. The threat of the poach is often as valuable as the poach itself.

The Mental Game

Confidence: Poaching requires commitment. If you're tentative, you'll be late and ineffective. Trust your read and go.

Patience: Don't force poaches. Wait for the right opportunity. Better to stay home on a marginal opportunity than to miss a forced poach.

Communication: Talk to your partner. Make sure you both understand when poaching is on the table. The best poaches happen when you and your partner are on the same wavelength.

Final Thoughts

Poaching off your partner's third shot is one of the highest-percentage aggressive plays in pickleball. When executed correctly, it wins points outright, creates pressure, and forces opponents into uncomfortable positions.

But it's also a play that requires trust, timing, and practice. You need to trust your partner to hit a decent third shot. You need the timing to move at the right moment and get to the ball. And you need practice to read situations and execute consistently.

Start by recognizing poaching opportunities in your games—even if you don't execute them yet. Once you see them, start trying a few per match. Track your success rate and adjust your frequency accordingly.

Remember: You're not poaching nearly enough. Most intermediate and even advanced players leave easy points on the table because they don't move aggressively at the net. Don't be that player. Get across the court, take that ball, and put it away.

The third shot is your partner's responsibility. The fourth shot? That's where you can take over.

How to Poach Off Your Partner's Third Shot (Pro Tips)December 12, 2024