How to Stack in Pickleball: A Guide for 3.0 to 5.0+ Players

Pickleball stacking is a doubles strategy where both partners position themselves on the same side of the court in order to play from their preferred sides.

Though relatively uncommon in rec play, there are several reasons why a team may choose to stack when looking to develop a more competitive advantage:

Understanding Starting Positions

• In pickleball, the starting positions are: Player 1 on the right side, Player 2 on the left side.
• On even points (0, 2, 4, etc.), players return to their starting positions.
• On odd points (1, 3, 5, etc.), players switch to the opposite starting position.

Why Teams Stack

There are several strategic reasons why stacking can be advantageous, including:

To Leverage Physical Advantages

• If one player is taller or has more reach, they may stack on the left to cover more court. The shorter player stacks on the right.
• If one player has a stronger forehand, they’ll stack on the left to hit more forehands up the middle. Their partner takes the right.

To Hide Weaknesses

• A player with a weaker backhand can hide on the right side to avoid hitting as many backhand shots.
• Their partner stacks on the left to protect the weak backhand side.

To Highlight Strengths

• A player with a powerful forehand can stack on the left to exploit their strength up the middle.
• Their partner stacks right to let them attack from their best side.

To Disrupt Opponents’ Rhythm

• Stacking can mix things up and give a different look, especially if a team is stuck in a scoring rut.
• The new formation may disrupt the opponents’ momentum and patterns.

To Control Positioning

• Stacking ensures each partner plays from their best and most comfortable side.
• It removes the need to continually switch sides after points.

How to Execute Stacking

Proper stacking requires coordination between partners:

Serving Side

On the serving side, the stack happens after the point is won:

1. The serving team wins a point.
2. Instead of switching positions, the server moves over to their partner’s side.
3. The server’s partner slides over to their usual side.
4. Repeat this pattern to maintain the stack on each point.

Returning Side

Managing the stack on the return of serve is more complex:

• The correct returner must move into position based on the score.
• The partners have two options to get back into their stacked formation:
• After Return Switch: The returner hits then switches sides after returning serve. Their partner covers the middle during the transition.
• Step On Return: The returner hits then steps forward while the partner holds their position. No need to cover.
• Communicate plans clearly – the net player can signal “switch” or “stay” to the returner.

Stacking Strategies

When opponents stack against you, there are some tactics you can use:

On the Serving Side

• Attack the player who is moving into position after the return. Their mobility is limited.
• Hit balls into the space vacated during the stack switch.

On the Returning Side

• Return down the line to make it easier to get into position after the serve return.
• Don’t return cross-court, which allows less time to get back into the stack.
• Hit to the player who is out of position and shuffling over.

Stacking requires coordination and practice, but mastering it can give your team some extra edge in strategy. With the right tactics, you can also counter opponents who are stacking against you, making it an essential skill for competitive pickleball.