Pickleball Doubles: Poaching at the Kitchen Line
Pickleball doubles situation where the player at the kitchen line crosses into their partner's side to volley a high dink and end the point. Students work on reading an attackable ball, timing the poach, and covering for each other.
How to play
- Six courts with 4 players each and a rotating referee. Both pairs start at the non-volley line (2 min).
- Explain the play: two players hit crosscourt dinks diagonally; the player not involved watches and, if the ball comes up high, crosses over and volleys at the opponents' feet or the middle. Their partner covers the open side (3 min).
- Signal drill: the poacher signals behind their back before the point (fist means I'm going, open hand means I'm staying). Practice 6 dinks per pair, then switch (5 min).
- Game to 11 starting with a dink: a point won with a poach volley is worth 2; if the poach fails and the opponent wins through the gap, it is worth 2 for them (7 min).
- Wrap-up: each pair explains which balls are good to poach and which are not (3 min).
Rules
- Don't step into the kitchen when volleying, even with momentum from the poach.
- The poacher stays on the new side and the partner switches right away.
- Safety: aim volleys at feet or the middle, never at an opponent's upper body.
Variations
Easier
Only one side plays poaching pairs, while the other side tosses dinks by hand.
Standard
Game to 11 with double value for volleys won on a poach.
Harder
Fake poaches are allowed: a good fake that forces an error also scores 2 points.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student stays on their side and the partner does the poaching; two bounces allowed.
- Autism: practice the hand signals ahead of time with a picture card.
- Advanced players: the opening dink may also go down the line, so players must watch the sideline.
Learning goals
- Recognize a high ball that allows an aggressive volley.
- Decide when to poach and communicate it with a signal ahead of time.
- Cover the open space after a partner poaches.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Paddles: 25
- Pickleball balls: 18
- Nets: 6
- Cones: 12
Teacher tip
The common mistake is poaching too early and leaving a huge gap: players should go only once the ball has left the opponent's paddle. Praise the partner's cover, not just the volley.
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