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Strategy: Hand
Signals
Strategy Question
I just bought a book on doubles play and there was a section on hand signals
and instructions on when to poach or stay when my partner is serving. Is
signaling in advance a good strategy or should the partner just watch where
the serve lands and go from there?
Answer
The answer to whether you should use hand signals or wait to see the ball
placement before poaching depends entirely on your partner's service skills.
If your partner's serving strength is not accuracy, then you should wait
where the ball lands before you move. Your partner may have enough pressure
as it is just to get the first one in, and you don't want to compound this
pressure by telling him, in effect, that the next point depends upon him
serving down the middle (which is usually where you want to place a serve
before poaching).
If your partner is good at placing the ball on command then I would advise
you to use signals for the following reasons:
- It can intimidate your opponents.
- It's easier for you (as the net person) to know in advance that you
are going to poach rather than seeing where the ball lands and then trying
to decide whether you should be going.
- It helps the server to react faster to the appropriate side rather
than having to scramble at the last second.
In general, always remember no matter whether you use signals or wait to
see the ball placement before you go, the poacher must time his movement.
Always move AFTER the bounce and the instant BEFORE the receiver connects
- otherwise the receiver will burn you down the alley for moving too soon
or pass you cross court for moving too late.
Happy Poaching!
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