Your Net Position Is Wrong — The Real Reason Your Doubles Poaches Fail I Jonathan Stokke

Most doubles tennis players over 50 are losing points at the net for the wrong reason — it's not speed, it's doubles tennis strategy. Specifically, a broken poaching system. Jonathan Stokke knows this better than almost anyone. He played college tennis at Duke University and went on to coach at both Duke and Wake Forest. In this episode of Insider's Playbook, he dismantles the way recreational players think about net play — and replaces it with a pre-planned, decision-based poaching system that works even when your legs don't. What you'll learn in this episode: • Why 99% of Stokke's poaches are committed before the ball is struck — and how to build that same system • The positioning mistake that quietly destroys your net game: standing near the singles sideline • Why the real default at net isn't "hold your ground" — it's move • How to stop getting burned down the line by changing your decision framework, not your footwork • The mental shift that turns poaching from a gamble into a high-percentage doubles strategy If you've ever retreated to your corner after getting beat down the line, this conversation will rewire your entire role as a net player. Jonathan Stokke: http://www.stokketenniscoaching.com Stokke Doubles Academy: https://www.skool.com/stokke-doubles-... #TennisTips #DoublesStrategy #SeniorTennis #TennisCoaching #USTATennis #TennisLife #NetPlay #RecreationalTennis ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro: Reactor or Decider 01:58 What a True Poach Actually Is 03:50 The 75-90% Rule: Why Math Favors You 07:06 Your Real Job at the Net 09:53 Where to Stand: The Position Most Players Get Wrong 12:45 When to Poach During a Live Rally 14:42 How to Start Adding This to Your Game 17:59  The 4.5 Move Any 3.5 Can Use 19:53 Find Stokke online 20:52 Show Wrap Up & Key Takeaways 🎙️ Insider's Playbook is the interview series from Senior Tennis Unpacked — featuring coaches, former college players, other experts, and elite senior competitors who share the match intelligence strategies that actually move the needle for players 50+. 🤝 JOIN THE COMMUNITY — FREE Senior Tennis Unpacked on Skool is where serious 50+ players break down matches, swap strategies, and get better together. Post a match story. Ask a hard question. Find your people. 👉 https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-u... 🎾 ABOUT SENIOR TENNIS UNPACKED The go-to resource for competitive tennis players over 50 who want to win smarter and compete longer. 🌐 Explore everything: https://SeniorTennisUnpacked.com