Davis Cup Doubles: 3 Serve+Poach Signals to Copy

Why this playbook now

The 2025 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage just wrapped with eight nations moving on. Multiple ties flipped on the deciding doubles rubber in the last 48 hours of group play. Captains highlighted pre-called poaches and Australian formations as match-changers. That is a gift for club teams. The patterns are simple. The discipline is the hard part.

This playbook gives you one three-signal system, two court-specific serve maps, and a cone progression that hardwires the movement. You can install it in a week. You will feel the payoff under pressure.

Match reality: In league doubles, most return games swing on two points. Control those with a pre-call and you tilt the set.

The three-signal system you can trust under stress

The goal is clarity. You and your partner should both know the plan before the toss goes up. No mind reading. Minimal words. One look. Go.

The three calls

• Poach on 2: You cross on the second serve attempt
• Fake on 1: You show a move, then recover, on the first serve attempt
• Stay: You hold your position and guard the line

Why this structure works:

• Timing is built in. You avoid random, late moves.
• Risk scales with serve quality. You poach behind a higher second-serve contact time. You fake behind the faster first serve to slow the returner’s swing.
• Simplicity survives pressure. Three choices. No clutter.

Hand-behind-back signals

The net player shows the call with the non-racket hand behind the back. Keep the hand low to avoid tipping.

• Two fingers spread: Poach on 2
• One finger: Fake on 1
• Closed fist: Stay

Add a serve target cue in the same look. Tap the back of the thigh or hip where you want the ball:

• Inside thigh: T
• Back pocket/hip: Body
• Outside hip: Wide

Server nods once to confirm. If the first serve misses and the call was Poach on 2, the net player commits on the second ball. If the call was Fake on 1 and the first serve misses, there is no fake on the second serve unless re-called.

Rule of clarity: If either player is unsure, default to Stay + Body serve. Reset the call on the next point.

Roles and footwork

• Net player: Split step as the returner hits. On a Poach, cross decisively across the center strap. Lead with the outside foot. Racket head up. Aim to volley into the open court. On a Fake, sell the first step across, then recover with a hard plant and shuffle back.
• Server: Serve through the target. Recover one step inside the baseline. If the net player poaches, you cover line. If they fake or stay, you own middle. Communicate after every point.

I learned this structure coaching 4.0 captains who felt “random” on big points. Once we tied the move to serve number, their timing cleaned up. Think of it like a tempo run in training. You set the pace, then build rhythm.

Serve targets that feed the poach

Serve location should set the poach up. You are not guessing. You are steering the ball into your net player’s zone.

Deuce court blueprint vs a right-handed returner

• Primary: T serve + Poach on 2
  • Why: The T reduces angle and funnels crosscourt. The second serve gives your net player an extra beat to cross. Your volley goes deep cross into the open lane.
• Secondary: Body serve + Fake on 1
  • Why: Body jams the forehand. The fake prompts a safer cross return. You or your partner pick off the float.

Ad court blueprint vs a right-handed returner

• Primary: Body serve + Poach on 2
  • Why: The backhand jam pulls the return to middle. Your net player crosses and volleys middle to take away the down-the-line threat.
• Secondary: T serve + Stay
  • Why: The T serve shrinks the angle. You reduce the returner’s ability to knife the line under pressure.

Adjustments for left-handed returners

• Deuce court vs lefty: Body serve + Poach on 2 is strong. It crowds their backhand. Your volley goes into the ad alley.
• Ad court vs lefty: T serve + Fake on 1 to cool off their heavy cross return.

Target discipline: Hit the serve that fits the call. Do not improvise wide when you flashed T. Trust the plan.

Communication you can do in 5 seconds

• Pre-point: Net player gives the two-part signal. Server nods. One soft cue word. Example: “Middle.”
• Between first and second serve: If the call was Poach on 2, make eye contact and re-confirm with a micro-nod.
• After the point: One sentence max. Example: “Good call.” or “Keep the T.”
• After a miss: No blame. Use this script. “Right idea. Same look or reset?” Keep emotion low. Rebuild the plan.

OffCourt cue cards help here. Write your three words for the match. Examples: Middle. Jam. Cross. Put the card in your bag and glance during changeovers.

The cone-based progression that makes the patterns automatic

We go from static to live. You add speed only when the ball path is clean. Use three cones: one on the T, one two racquets inside the sideline for Wide, and one at the service line middle for poach landing.

Drill 1: Static Poach Pathing

• Setup: Server stands at baseline without ball. Net player on service line. Place a cone at center strap and one two steps into the deuce service box middle.
• Action: Net player shadows the Poach on 2 footwork. Outside foot leads across the strap. Touch the cone with racket. Finish balanced, facing the open court.
• Dosage: 3 sets x 6 reps deuce + 6 reps ad
• Cues: “Outside foot first.” “Racket up.” “Chest to target.”
• Rest: 30 seconds between sets

Drill 2: Live Feeds to the Poach Lane

• Setup: Coach or partner feeds from opposite baseline crosscourt to simulate returns. Server stands with no ball. Net player starts one step inside service line.
• Action: Call Poach on 2. On the feed, net player splits, crosses, and volleys to the middle cone. Mix 30 percent fakes to train recovery.
• Dosage: 4 sets x 10 balls (7 poach, 3 fake) per side
• Cues: “Split on the bounce.” “Cross past the strap.” “Finish forward.”
• Rest: 60 seconds between sets

Drill 3: Serve to Target + Called Movement

• Setup: Cones on T and body lanes. Net player and server use hand signals.
• Action: Deuce court round first. First serve: Fake on 1 behind a Body cue. If first serve misses, second serve is Poach on 2 behind a T cue. Rotate after 10 balls.
• Dosage: 3 rounds x 10 serves per side
• Cues: Server: “Hit the cone.” Net: “Decide early. Cross big.”
• Rest: 90 seconds between rounds

Drill 4: Cone Pressure Race

• Setup: Keep cones. Score a race to 7 points. Only points won where serve hits target cone zone and the called movement is executed count. Missed target or wrong move is a replay.
• Action: Alternate courts every 2 points. Use your three calls only.
• Dosage: Best two of three races
• Cues: “Breathe. Call. Commit.”
• Rest: Change sides for 60 seconds between races

Drill 5: Return Read + Late Save

• Setup: Add a returner. The returner tries to burn the line on Stay calls. Net player practices one late bail step back to protect the alley without bailing early.
• Dosage: 3 sets x 8 returns per side
• Cues: “Hold posture.” “One step guard, not a retreat.”
• Rest: 60 seconds between sets

Progression rule: You may add speed when you can complete 8 of 10 balls to target cones with correct movement at the current step.

A simple test you can run this week

Run a 20-ball session and track three numbers.

• Setup: 10 serves deuce, 10 serves ad. Use the three-signal system. Prioritize T and Body targets.
• Passing standard:
  • 70 percent first serves in to T or Body
  • 80 percent correct movement vs call
  • 60 percent point conversion on poach-designated balls

Log the results on an OffCourt tracking card. If you miss the first-serve standard, reduce pace and re-test. If movement accuracy is low, go back one drill in the progression.

Scoreboard games that simulate league heat

Tiebreak Race to 7 with Call Discipline

• Rule 1: You must show a call every point.
• Rule 2: Only points where the serve hits the called lane count. If you miss target, replay without scoring.
• Rule 3: Double value. If you poach and win, you get 2 points. If you fake and force a return error, 2 points. Stay wins are 1 point.
• Play best of three races. Switch servers every 4 points.

Decider Drill: 30–30 Only

• Start every rep at 30–30. Alternate deuce and ad courts.
• Call the movement. Choose the target that matches the blueprint.
• First pair to win 6 games takes the set. No-ad scoring.

These games build the same stick-to-plan feel you see in Davis Cup pairings. The emotion is high. The plan keeps your feet calm.

Two-week microcycle to install the system

This plan fits a USTA team that plays one or two matches per week. Three on-court slots. One short off-court slot. Adjust volume if you have back-to-back matches.

Week 1: Build accuracy and timing

• Day 1: Technical install (60–75 min)

  • Warm-up: 8 minutes dynamic + 4 minutes mini-volley
  • Drill 1: Static Poach Pathing, 3x6 each side
  • Drill 2: Live Feeds to the Poach Lane, 4x10 each side
  • Drill 3: Serve to Target + Called Movement, 3x10 per side
  • Finish: 1 race to 7, call discipline
  • Key cue: Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

• Day 3: Target day (60 min)

  • Warm-up: 10 minutes serves at 70 percent, hit cones
  • Drill 3 repeat with tighter cones (smaller zones)
  • Simple test: 20-ball session. Record numbers.
  • Finish: 15 minutes of 30–30 Only games

• Day 5: Light patterning + recovery (45–60 min)

  • Warm-up: 5 minutes shadow moves at net
  • Drill 1 quick: 2x6 per side
  • Drill 2 light: 2x8 per side at 70 percent pace
  • Serve-feel: 24 serves total, focus on T and Body
  • Mobility: 10 minutes hips and thoracic spine

Match on weekend: Use two calls only for first match night if you feel new. Example: Poach on 2 and Stay.

Week 2: Pressure and adaptability

• Day 1: Speed and decision day (60–75 min)

  • Warm-up
  • Drill 2 at higher pace: 4x12, mix 40 percent fakes
  • Drill 4: Cone Pressure Race, best 2 of 3
  • Add Return Read + Late Save, 3x8 per side
  • Communication reps: Script your between-point resets

• Day 3: Scouting and countering (60 min)

  • Warm-up
  • Returner scout game: One partner plays a “heavy cross” identity. You respond with Body + Poach on 2.
  • Rotate identities every 10 points: flat hitter, chipper, line threat
  • Finish with Tiebreak Race to 7 with double value

• Day 5: Sharpen and taper (45–60 min)

  • Warm-up
  • Simple test repeat: 20-ball session. Aim to beat last week’s numbers.
  • Serve-only: 30 serves, 70 percent pace, 5-ball runs to T then Body then Wide
  • Finish: 8 minutes of volley touch and overheads

Match on weekend: Use all three calls. Stick to deuce/ad blueprints. Debrief with the same script.

OffCourt microcycle templates make this easy to log. Track serve target percentage, movement accuracy, and conversion rate. That is your scoreboard for practice.

Common mistakes and easy fixes

• Mistake: Early lean before the return. Fix: Count “toss, bounce, split” to time the split step on the bounce.
• Mistake: Poach stops at the strap. Fix: Cue “cross past the strap.” Place a cone two steps beyond the strap and touch it with your shoe after contact.
• Mistake: Server forgets coverage. Fix: Say “you cross, I cover.” After serve, take one shuffle toward the alley.
• Mistake: Serving wide on a poach call. Fix: Keep wide for Stay or Fake only while building. Use T and Body when Poach is on.
• Mistake: Emotional spin-out after a missed poach. Fix: Post-miss rule. “Right idea. Next point.” Then choose Stay + Body for one reset point.

Reset the nervous system: One deep exhale between points drops your heart rate. Same effect as backing off pace in a tempo run. Control the breath. Control the plan.

Practical examples you will use on league night

• 30–30 Deuce, righty returner who likes cross: Net shows Two fingers and taps inside thigh. Server hits T. First serve clips tape. Second serve lands T. Net crosses, volleys deep cross. Game point.
• Ad-court break point, nervous server: Net shows Fist and taps hip. Stay behind Body. Returner crowds backhand. Floats middle. Server steps in and finishes.
• Returner burning line: Net mixes One finger fakes on first serves. Returner sees movement and aims safer cross. Team regains middle.

Summary

This is the same structure Davis Cup pairs lean on. Pre-call. Serve to a lane that feeds the movement. Repeat it until it is boring. Boring is good in doubles. It wins big points.

Use the three signals. Poach on 2. Fake on 1. Stay when unsure. Map deuce and ad targets to your calls. Practice with cones. Test weekly. Keep the language simple. Your team will feel more connected within seven days.

On-court next steps

1. Print or write the three-signal cheatsheet. Two fingers = Poach on 2. One finger = Fake on 1. Fist = Stay.
2. Lay down three cones. T, Body lane, middle service line.
3. Run Drill 1 and Drill 3 for 30 minutes. Do the 20-ball test.
4. Play one Tiebreak Race to 7 with call discipline.
5. Debrief in two sentences. Keep one strength, fix one thing.

Quick checklist

• Do we call every point with the three-signal system?
• Are we serving T/Body on poach calls 80 percent of the time?
• Are we splitting on the bounce and crossing past the strap?
• Did we run the 20-ball test and log results?
• Do we have one pre-point cue, one between-point reset, and a post-miss no-blame rule?

If you can check four of five, you are in a good place. Add volume next week. If not, slow it down and hit the cones until the lines feel big again. That is how pros built their doubles. That is how your team will steal a deciding rubber this weekend.