Volleys and Poaching
When the server’s partner at the net moves across the court to cut off a crosscourt service return with a volley, it’s called poaching. Poaching is a very effective maneuver for winning points, intimidating the receiver, and keeping the other team off balance. But it is a skill that takes time to perfect in terms of movement, technique, timing, and communication. Poaching has to be used to interject an element of surprise; it should not be something so obvious that the opponents can anticipate what is about to happen.
The movement to poach has to be quick, deliberate, and at an angle toward the net (for power), not parallel to it or in a line away from it. The technique for the volley used to poach is no different from any other volley. Take little or no backswing, make contact with the ball as early as possible, and go for a winner. If you don’t go for a winner, you’ll put your team in a difficult court position to win the point. If you are not a strong volleyer, don’t poach very often—just enough to pose a threat.
Tennis: Steps to Success Jim Brown,Camille Soulier