Poaching Dink Drill – Skill Level 3.0.
This drill exposes cross court dinking errors and teaches players how to work together and set up a “poaching” opportunity as well as avoiding (or expecting) an opponent’s poach. The “poach” is often most effective when combined with an element of surprise. Opponents are expecting a return dink and are surprised when an opponent’s partner poaches the ball, executing a slam to the backcourt.
Drill Execution – Have 4 players assume the ready position at the NVZ (opposing sides). Start with a cross court DINK. Receiving team’s partner should be aware of a poaching opportunity and SHADOW their partner. Opposing players should be wary of the SHADOWING partner, especially if the shadowing partner is in the “POACH” court (odd court for right handed players). Partners in a poaching position (odd court, the “poach” court) should look for an errant dink (too high, too far over the NVZ line) and slam the ball to either the back court or the opponent’s mid-section (preferably forcing a “paddle move”). Play continues, and can be scored like a normal game (essentially eliminating the serve and return of serve).
Drill Execution – Have 4 players assume the ready position at the NVZ (opposing sides). Start with a cross court DINK. Receiving team’s partner should be aware of a poaching opportunity and SHADOW their partner. Opposing players should be wary of the SHADOWING partner, especially if the shadowing partner is in the “POACH” court (odd court for right handed players). Partners in a poaching position (odd court, the “poach” court) should look for an errant dink (too high, too far over the NVZ line) and slam the ball to either the back court or the opponent’s mid-section (preferably forcing a “paddle move”). Play continues, and can be scored like a normal game (essentially eliminating the serve and return of serve).