John Cincola Pickleball Poaching Tips: Pickleball professional John Cincola recently shared useful advice on how players can poach in doubles matches without upsetting their partners. In a video, John Cincola explained when and how to poach smartly by watching opponents closely and moving at the right time.
John Cincola said, “If you’re not poaching in doubles, you’re leaving points on the table.” He reminded players that poaching is not just about being bold but also about thinking ahead and reading the game.
Learning to Read the Play
John Cincola talked about the importance of knowing what to look for before making a move. He described the first step as the “gathering information phase.”
He said, “We’ve got to look for tendencies. We’ve got to look for patterns.” He explained that during this step, players should watch their partner’s shot. Players must see if their partner is balanced, hitting a forehand or backhand, or taking a big swing.
He shared an example with Gabby, who acted out hitting a third shot drop from the baseline. John Cincola said this is a common time to poach.
Picking the Best Position
After learning to read the play, players must pick the right spot. John Cincola said, “What we need to do after we’ve gathered our information is we’re going to wait till our partner actually hits the ball.”
He explained that if the partner’s shot looks strong, the player should step forward and get ready to poach. If the shot is weak, the player should stay back and play defense. He said, “Typically, if I feel like it’s a good shot, then I’m going to move forward.”
Avoiding the Common Mistake
John Cincola warned that many players try to surprise the other team by sprinting across the court too early. He said this makes them stuck and unable to cover the rest of the court.
He shared, “The key to a good poach is wait until your opponents actually hit the ball to react to it.”
Instead, John Cincola suggests moving to the middle and staying balanced. He said, “I’m trying to get myself right in front of that person hitting the ball to make them feel like they have to hit around me.”
This way, if the opponents hit down the line or across the court, the player can quickly move to cover either side.
Finishing Strong
John Cincola ended by telling viewers to take screenshots of the tips. He said, “I hope you enjoyed the video.” He also reminded everyone that liking and subscribing helps him make more videos.
News in Brief: John Cincola Pickleball Poaching Tips
Pickleball pro John Cincola taught players how to poach smartly without upsetting partners. He stressed reading shots early, picking the best position, and staying balanced. His clear steps help players poach safely and effectively in doubles matches.
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