When I was a beginner, I would watch advanced games on my local courts and wonder why players were stepping to the side while serving or receiving. As I improved, I decided to practice stacking.
It was quite the learning curve, but once you master stacking, it becomes an evergreen skill when playing with different partners.
Stacking creates advantages for teams when done correctly. It enhances strategy and helps hide weaknesses. When executed properly, it allows players to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses, making it an essential tool for serious players.
In this article, I’ll cover why you should stack, the basics behind stacking, and the inherent risks involved. For an official breakdown of stacking rules, you can refer to USA Pickleball’s rulebook.
What is Stacking in Pickleball?
Stacking in pickleball is when both players position themselves on the same side of the court before a serve or return, allowing them to shift to their preferred side after the initial hit.
Players choose to stack because they are generally stronger on either the left or right side in doubles. In mixed doubles, the male player typically takes the left side, and the female player takes the right.
This is because, generally speaking, the male player is often more powerful and able to take more aggressive shots, while the female player plays a more controlled and consistent role.
You should consider stacking if you’re losing and need to mix things up.
Assuming both players are right-handed, the stronger player usually takes the left side and covers more court.
Having a strong presence in the middle can be beneficial, as it allows for better court coverage and easier access to aggressive shots.
A more extreme example is Ben Johns, who takes up a significant portion of the court—sometimes up to 80%. Collin Johns, his partner, will rarely hit a backhand dink.
This kind of specialization allows for greater consistency and efficiency during play. You can watch Ben and Collin Johns’ matches to see stacking in action at the professional level.
Basic Stacking Setup for Serves
When serving, stacking works like this: If you plan to play on the left side while your partner plays the right, you start in a normal position. However, after winning the first point, instead of switching sides as usual, your partner moves to the left to serve while you step to the side.
This allows you to immediately access your preferred side.
The same concept applies when serving from the right side. You quickly shift left while your partner moves right.
This is the easiest form of stacking for beginners to understand. Learning this pattern early on will make transitioning to more advanced stacking techniques easier down the road.
Basic Stacking Setup for Returns
Stacking on the return follows a similar principle. If you prefer the left side and your partner prefers the right, you play normally when returning from your designated side. However, there are two main strategies for stacking on the return:
- Simple Stacking: Your partner stands near the non-volley zone on the edge of the court and moves in after the return. This eliminates the need for hand signals but requires a solid return to avoid being punished by an aggressive opponent.
- The simplicity of this technique makes it a great starting point for beginners who are just getting used to stacking.
- Signal-Based Stacking: Hand signals determine whether to switch or stay. The three common signals are:
- Open hand: Switch.
- Closed fist: Stay.
- Peace sign: Fake switch.
If your partner signals an open hand, you return the ball and switch sides.
If they use a closed fist or peace sign, you maintain your position.
This flexibility allows adjustments if stacking isn’t working or if your opponents have strong drives.
Mastering these signals in doubles is key to making stacking an effective strategy in your games.
Why Use Stacking in Pickleball? Key Benefits and Strategies
Stacking offers several advantages. The first is specialization—by consistently playing one side, you gain more direct practice and improve in that position.
Stacking is especially useful when playing with a left-handed partner, as lefties always take the right side to ensure forehands dominate the middle. Forehands are generally stronger and more controlled than backhands, which is why maximizing their presence in the middle of the court is a huge advantage.
At higher levels, stacking is common because players specialize in a particular side. Traditionally, left-side players are more aggressive, while right-side players focus on consistency and dinking safely. Understanding these roles helps players optimize their performance and play styles accordingly.
In mixed doubles, the male player typically takes the left to maximize offensive opportunities, allowing for a more dominant presence in the game. This makes it easier to execute aggressive shots and put pressure on opponents.
Challenges and Drawbacks of Stacking
Stacking requires strong communication. This is especially true when stacking on the return, as players must consistently use hand signals and vocal cues.
Typically, the player not receiving the ball signals the stack, and the returner confirms by yelling “YEA” to acknowledge the call. If the acknowledgment isn’t loud enough, miscommunication can occur, leading to incorrect positioning and mistakes.
Another challenge is executing a deep and effective return. A weak return invites an aggressive third-shot drive from your opponent.
If this happens, you may need to abandon the stack and revert to normal positioning. This highlights the importance of maintaining control and precision in your returns.
Beginners often forget to signal or miscommunicate, leading to confusion and missed coverage. Making communication a priority will help avoid unnecessary errors.
Common Stacking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One common mistake when stacking on the serve is failing to cover the line after hitting the serve. This is especially noticeable when serving from the right side and shifting left—it often results in a difficult backhand third shot. Being aware of your positioning and planning ahead can help mitigate this issue.
Miscommunication is another frequent issue. The player at the kitchen may signal a switch, but if the returner doesn’t confirm, positioning becomes unclear, leading to pop-ups and errors. Clear and consistent communication is key to making stacking successful.
Stacking also makes return placement more critical. The safest return targets are:
- Deep to the middle (neutralizes opponents).
- Down the line (ensures your partner can cover).
If you return crosscourt while stacking, you must cover the line for the fourth shot, increasing defensive pressure. Precision and awareness are essential in ensuring stacking works effectively in your favor.
Drills to Improve Stacking in Pickleball
A great drill in pickleball for practicing stacking is skinny singles, where you play one-on-one using only half the court. To simulate stacking, return the ball and immediately switch sides while moving up to the kitchen. This helps reinforce the muscle memory needed for effective stacking.
Another key practice tip is to improve communication. Even in casual games, call out signals loudly and consistently to develop better on-court chemistry with your partner. Having clear and open communication ensures that stacking is executed properly.
If you don’t have a partner for this, you can opt to do wall drills or get a pickleball machine.
Final Thoughts
This guide provides a beginner-friendly overview of stacking in pickleball. As you become more comfortable with stacking, you’ll gain a strategic edge and elevate your game. Learning to stack effectively requires patience and practice, but once mastered, it can become a game-changing strategy.
Watching professional matches and studying film on stacking techniques can also help refine your skills.
At higher levels, pickleball becomes a game of small margins—mastering stacking can be the difference between winning and losing. With time, effort, and dedication, stacking can help take your game to the next level.