ALW Backhand Poach: Off the Down-the-Line Third

Summary

Anna Leigh Waters breaks down one of her most advanced shots: the backhand poach. She looks to poach mainly when partner Ben drives or drops down the line in front of him — not off a cross-court drop, where the opponent can easily go behind her.

Once the third is good, she takes a couple steps to the middle, split-steps, turns her shoulders, waits until she sees the ball, then comes across the body. Even swinging down she stays under and around the top of the ball; sharp angle often unlocks the acceleration.

Key takeaways

• Poach mostly off partner’s down-the-line third, not cross-court
• Only go when the third is good — skip poaching off a high third
• Middle → split-step → turn shoulders → wait → cross body and accelerate

Action items

• In drills, only allow poaches off down-the-line third feeds
• Film one poach: check split-step and shoulder turn before the cross