Poaching Opinions in Pickleball – What’s Your Opinion?

pickleball player with a poaching opinion

Poaching Opinions in Pickleball: What’s Your Opinion?

When it comes to poaching in pickleball, everyone has an opinion—and those opinions are as colorful as the paddles on the court. Love it or hate it, poaching is one of those strategies that sparks debate. Is it a clever move that keeps opponents on their toes, or does it risk creating chaos and frustration?

One thing’s for sure: poaching reveals a lot about your style of play and your personality on the court. Whether you’re the hesitant type, the chaos-maker, or a poaching pro, your approach says a lot about you as a player.

So, let’s explore the personalities and opinions that define poaching in pickleball.

If you want to review poaching in more detail read the post:
Poaching in Pickleball – When and How to Do It


The Stay-in-Your-Lane Partner

For these players, poaching is practically an insult. It’s as if their partner is saying, “I don’t trust you to make that shot.”

  • Winning? That’s secondary.
  • What they care about is hitting their own shots and maintaining control of their side of the court.

When their partner poaches, especially if they miss the poach, they might throw out subtle jabs like:

  • “I had that.”
  • Or the classic: “I could’ve made that shot.”

Translation? “Stick to your side, and let me have my moment!”

These players value autonomy and take pride in their individual contributions to the team. While they may see poaching as unnecessary interference, they can sometimes benefit from recognizing when a partner’s poach might actually improve their game.

Tip for Partners: If you’re playing with a “stay-in-your-lane” type, communicate clearly and call your poaches early to avoid stepping on their toes—literally and figuratively.


The Neutral Zone Player

Similar to the “Stay-in-your-lane” partner, non-poachers don’t necessarily oppose poaching—they simply choose not to engage in it. They take pride in staying neutral in the great poaching debate, preferring to stick to their side of the court and trust their partner to handle theirs.

Their motto? “You do you, and I’ll do me.”

They avoid risky plays and value balance over boldness.

While this approach works well in recreational games, it can backfire in competitive play. Their reluctance to poach can mean missed opportunities to take control of the point.


Why They Avoid Poaching:

  • They don’t want to upset their partner.
  • They’re hesitant to take a risk that could backfire.

Tip for Neutral Zone Players:

Poaching isn’t about stealing glory—it’s about teamwork. Trust yourself to step in when the opportunity arises.


The Polite Poacher

Polite poachers approach poaching like they’re walking on eggshells.

  • They only poach if their partner encourages them.
  • When they do, they apologize excessively, whether they make the shot or not:
    • “Sorry, sorry, sorry!”
    • Or, “Was that okay?”

Polite poachers have good intentions but often lack confidence in their decision-making. Their hesitation can limit their effectiveness, but with encouragement and practice, they can develop into reliable poaching partners.

Tip for Polite Poachers: Own your poaching decisions. A well-timed poach isn’t something to apologize for—it’s a winning play!


The Panic Poacher

When the game gets tight, panic poachers take matters into their own hands.

  • They lunge for every ball, even those clearly on their partner’s side.
  • Their mindset? “If we’re losing, I have to fix it!”

Unfortunately, this approach often leads to:

  • Missed shots.
  • Partner collisions.
  • Glaring openings on the court for opponents to exploit.

Their chaotic energy can be amusing for opponents but frustrating for their partners.

Tip for Panic Poachers: Breathe. Trust your partner and focus on staying composed. Not every ball needs to be yours!


The Pro Poacher

Ah, the pro poacher. These players make poaching look effortless.

  • They poach with precision and purpose, taking high-percentage shots that benefit the team.
  • They communicate clearly, calling poaches early to avoid confusion.

A pro poacher understands that poaching isn’t about ego—it’s about strategy.

  • They step in when their forehand is the better option over their partner’s backhand.
  • They anticipate the flow of play, positioning themselves to capitalize on weak returns.

Why They Excel:
Pro poachers are confident, skilled, and in sync with their partners. Their poaches are rarely questioned because they make smart, calculated moves that often result in points.

Tip for Aspiring Pros: Study your partner’s tendencies and communicate your intentions. The best poaches are the ones your partner expects.


What’s Your Poaching Personality?

Poaching is more than just stepping in for a shot—it’s a reflection of your approach to the game. Whether you’re a “stay-in-your-lane” partner, a neutral player, or a pro poacher, understanding your tendencies can help you and your partner thrive.

Payton Bond

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Poaching Instructional Video

Courtesy of “The Pickleball Guy”

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