Learn the Anatomy of a Perfect Poach from Collin Shick and Jack Sock

In a match breakdown on Selkirk TV, Collin Shick explains a key point during a doubles match at the Selkirk Red Rock Open, where his partner, Jack Sock, read a poach perfectly.

He explains what to look for and how to maximize these moments during your games.

Use your brain

In the video, Collin hits a third-shot drive from his backhand – what he considers his best shot. Collin's drive is low and well placed, forcing the opponent in front of him into a defensive position.

Any time your opponent hits the ball toward your strength or gives you a ball you can drive low – preferably with topspin – you and your partner should recognize this as an opportunity to apply maximum pressure.

For most players, this is toward a forehand, but (like in Collin's case) it could also be a strong backhand.

When a return bounces high and soft, use that as a green light to drive the ball and have your partner poach if your opponent hits it back high.

Use your legs

Once you recognize this opportunity, you must be decisive. Whoever is free during the third shot must run in behind the drive and get "big" in front of the person about to hit the next shot.

Applying this pressure can cause your opponent to mishit the ball or force them to hit a perfect shot.

In the video, Jack Sock does this beautifully. He runs right at Pablo Tellez, knowing his most likely response would be a down-the-line volley he can pounce on.

Hesitation will prevent you from making the strong play here. You must get yourself in position as quickly as possible to stay balanced and not move through the shot.

Not being in a great position causes many players to make mistakes and hit the ball too hard.

Use your body

Knowing where your opponent will most likely hit the next shot allows you to put yourself between the ball and that target.

Once Jack reads the play and starts crashing, he recognizes where Pablo needs to take the ball and then jumps to that spot. When he sees the ball is up, he crushes it with a backhand winner down the middle.

Defending a low, hard line drive is difficult and often leads to pop-ups. When we act quickly and get into a proper position, those pop-ups become easy putaways.

If Jack was still back at the baseline or working his way up, that ball would've landed in front of Collin, and they would have needed to earn the point another way.

When you play big and put your body in front of the person hitting the ball, it can cause them to react to you instead of the ball. Pressure bursts pipes, and you can use your position to apply that pressure.

Build your poaching muscles

If your partner is great at driving the ball, give yourself a chance to poach an opponent’s weak fourth shot. If you are the person who hits great drives, encourage your teammate to apply more pressure by saying "Go" right as you're about to hit it.

This cues them to take action and gives your team an excellent opportunity for a quick point.

The more you practice this and then try it during games, the more awareness you'll build. You'll soon be able to execute it perfectly and recognize when and when not to poach.

By understanding what the perfect poach opportunity looks like, you'll become a force that none of your pickleball friends want to deal with.