Poach and cover rehearsal

Purpose & setup

Coordinate an interception call with a partner who covers the space left behind.

A starts behind the near baseline, C near the near-left service box net position, and B behind the far baseline. A and C are a pair; B supplies a controlled return. Use one ball.

How to play

1. A drop-feeds gently towards B. B sends a comfortable return through the near middle, away from C’s body.
2. C calls “mine”, moves across to intercept and volleys into the far right backcourt target T. A moves left to cover the space C leaves.
3. End on the volley’s first bounce or any earlier miss. All three return to their start positions before the next feed.
4. After four attempts rotate A → B, B → C, C → A. Mirror the net player’s starting side after all have held that role; finish the attempt at time.

Scoring or success

The pair earns one for an early clear call with coordinated cover and one for a volley in T. Count out of eight each round.

Rotation & roles

Four attempts per role, then fixed three-way rotation. Nobody feeds during a positional reset.

Mixed levels

Reduce the net player’s movement distance and feed pace for each turn as needed.

Safety & spacing

C moves across only after calling and A stays behind C’s volley path. No hard body returns; stop if both partners pursue the same ball.