When you and your doubles partner use hand-signals and work as a coordinated unit, you can make the serve much more than “just get it in.” You can use it to shape the point: to attack, to pressure, to force errors, or to play safe and build rhythm.
Below are 12 serve-side “set plays” that combine serve placement + net-player movement. We’ve grouped them under four strategic categories to help you choose what kind of pressure or control you want for each point.
Safe, Rhythm Plays
These plays prioritise consistency, control and reduce risk. Use them when you want to build a rhythm, get comfortable, or when the serve or net-play isn’t fully dialled in.
1. T Serve + Stay
Goal: Hit a steady, high-percentage serve to the “T” and hold court structure at the net.
Execution: Server aims for the middle (“T”). Net player stays put, guarding the center/line.
Why it works: The “T” serve reduces angles for the returner, forcing a return through the narrow center. With the net-player staying home, you avoid being caught out by line returns or risky poaches.
When to use: Early in a set, on second serves, or when you just want to keep things safe and get into a rhythm.
2. Wide Serve + Stay (Alley Lockdown)
Goal: Stretch the opponents wide, then have a solid net-player guarding the alley.
Execution: Server serves wide. Net-player stays close to their side, covering the wide lane/line and ready for crosscourt or angled returns.
Why it works: A wide serve pulls the returner off-court, opening space — but by staying, the net-player removes the easiest line winner and protects your court.
When to use: When opponents favour angled line returns or you don’t yet trust your net poaching.
3. Body Serve + Stay (Jam & Control)
Goal: Jam the returner with a body serve, then use consistent positioning to handle whatever comes back.
Execution: Server delivers a serve aimed more toward the body (hip/torso zone). Net-player stays central, ready for a reflex volley or to cover weak returns.
Why it works: Body serves often create awkward returns: blocked, short or sloppy. Staying at net gives stability and readiness for a neutral or attacking reply.
When to use: On big points when you don’t want to gamble — or when the returner struggles with body serves.
Full-Attack Plays (True Poach)
These plays send a clear signal: “We’re attacking the return — get ready to finish things fast.” They work best when the team is confident in their net game, volleys and reflexes.
4. T Serve + Poach (Middle Crush)
Goal: Serve to the “T,” then aggressively cross to volley and cut off the likely return.
Execution: Serve aimed at T. As soon as the returner starts returning, net-player moves across to intercept (poach).
Why it works: The “T” serve centralises the ball; returners often default to a cross-court return — ideal for the poacher. Getting to the middle fast denies them their usual angle and often produces weak or error returns.
When to use: When you want to apply pressure, finish points quickly, or catch returners off-guard. Good early or at crucial games to signal intent.
5. Wide Serve + Poach (Drag & Ambush)
Goal: Use a wide serve to pull the returner off the court, then cross to cut off their crosscourt return or angled reply.
Execution: Serve wide. Net-player crosses sharply toward the middle or even slightly toward the server’s half after serve.
Why it works: The wide serve opens space. A cross-court return from a stretched returner often lacks precision which prefect for an aggressive poach volley.
When to use: When the returner seems uncomfortable stretched wide or on weaker ground-stroke returns. Ideal when you suspect a crosscourt return or weak reply.
6. Body Serve + Poach (Jam & Jump)
Goal: Jam the returner with a body serve then cross and poach any weak or blocky return.
Execution: Serve body-tight. On return swing, net-player crosses into the middle to volley.
Why it works: A jam serve often forces a defensive or awkward return — low pace, short, or poorly placed — making it easier to intercept. Poaching turns a defensive return into an offensive volley.
When to use: Especially effective against aggressive returners or those with big swings who struggle with body serves.
Mind-Game Plays (Fake Poach / Deception)
These plays rely less on committing to attack and more on creating uncertainty — keeping opponents guessing, sometimes earning points by inducing errors rather than hitting winners.
7. T Serve + Fake Poach (Sell the Threat)
Goal: Serve to T and fake a poach making the opponent think you’re coming, but don’t commit.
Execution: Serve T. Net-player shows early movement as if crossing, then checks or recovers back to original position.
Why it works: The “fake poach” can throw off the returner’s timing or shot choice. They might rush, mis-hit, or hit a conservative return, giving your team control of the point.
When to use: When you don’t want to over-commit, but want to create pressure — for example, against returners who are wary of poaches, or when you want to mix up patterns.
8. Wide Serve + Fake Poach (Double Bluff)
Goal: Use a wide serve (pull returner off-court), show poach movement, then stay — keep their heads guessing.
Execution: Serve wide. Net-player feigns crossing, then stays.
Why it works: If opponents notice a pattern of poaches on wide serves, it disrupts their expectations. It can induce poor returns, such as lazy line attempts, weak returns, or hesitation.
When to use: As a change-up after a series of true poaches or when you want to slow the pace but maintain pressure.
9. Body Serve + Fake Poach (Camouflage Jam)
Goal: Deliver a body serve, show poach movement, but stay — use deception plus a tight serve.
Execution: Serve body-tight. Fake a poach, then hold or recover.
Why it works: The combination of a jam serve plus the illusion of net movement can rattle the returner’s decision — they may rush, misdirect, or pop up a weak return. Great for inducing mistakes rather than outright winners.
When to use: When the returner is inconsistent under pressure, or on important points where you want to minimise risk but still apply psychological pressure.
Pressure Without Over-Commitment (Pinch / Middle-Squeeze Plays)
These plays sit between “safe” and “attack”: you steer the point, shrink the court, but don’t fully commit to a poach — giving you flexibility depending on how the return unfolds.
10. T Serve + Pinch (Own the Middle)
Goal: Serve to the T and slightly shade toward middle — reduce opponent’s options without crossing.
Execution: Serve T. Net-player leans/shapes slightly toward the middle but doesn’t commit.
Why it works: You close down the central corridors, invite a riskier line or angled return, and still maintain control if the return goes down the line.
When to use: Against players who rely on middle returns or when you’re not sure if a full poach is safe.
11. Wide Serve + Pinch (Squeeze the Crosscourt)
Goal: Serve wide to pull returner off, then shade toward middle to shrink the crosscourt angle.
Execution: Serve wide. Net-player shifts slightly toward middle (without fully crossing).
Why it works: It reduces the room for a crosscourt return, and makes angled returns more difficult — but retains enough cover for a line return if needed.
When to use: When opponents hit consistent crosscourt returns, but you don’t want to risk a full poach.
12. Body Serve + Pinch (Wall in the Middle)
Goal: Jam serve to body, then shade the middle — remove safe zones and pressure the returner into a low-percentage shot.
Execution: Serve body-tight. Net-player moves a bit toward middle, ready to react.
Why it works: The body serve already limits the returner’s options; by shading toward the middle you take away easy returns and make them choose between awkward lines or shallow replies — often resulting in weak returns or errors.
When to use: On big points where you want to create maximum pressure but avoid full commitment. Good when opponents default to safe returns under pressure.
Using theSE PLAYS Smartly
Mix it up: Don’t rely on the same pattern. Use a blend of safe, attacking, pinch, and fake plays to stay unpredictable. Teams that poach or attack every point get read — variety keeps opponents guessing. Many coaches and players recommend only poaching on a portion of serves early, to seed doubt.
Communication & Commitment: If you signal a poach — commit. Hesitating poaches are often worse than no poach. Equally, fakes and pinches only work if your partner trusts and understands what you’re doing.
Choose based on opponents: Use “safe” serves when opponents are dangerous or you’re not confident. Use “attack” serves when they struggle with volleys or are predictable. “Fake” or “pinch” plays shine against wary, defensive returners who anticipate poaches.
Be ready: A poach (or pinch) demands quick reflexes, volley skills, and anticipation. If your net game or reaction isn’t sharp, commit to staying or safe serves until you’re more comfortable.
