Most of my students come to me and say, "I want to poach more, how do I do that?" There are a few things to remember:

• Did the previous shot that you or your partner hit put you in the offense or defense? Poach more often when your team is in the offense. Do not poach when you are being attacked, which places you in the defense.

• Your team is more often in the offense when you force your opponents deep in the court or you hit the ball low forcing them to hit "up" on the ball. Poach now!

• Once you are at the net your number one job is to make sure your opponents do not hit the ball down your alley. Once you are sure it is not down your alley act like you are going to go after the ball. Remember, when you poach to the middle and you miss the ball, your partner still has a play on it. It is like having a chance to poach, failing and still having the point continue.

• The act of poaching is a constant threat to your opponents, forcing them to make errors because they are worried that you might poach.

• Move to the ball down the middle, even if you do not have a chance to hit it, this will keep the opposing net player from attacking your partner so quickly.

• If you actually make 4 to 5 poaches per set, you are on your way!

• If you cannot make an aggressive, forward move to the ball -- "do not poach."

• Remember, poaching means that you think you can win the point, not just get the ball back!

Good luck on the courts!