Pickleball stacking is often used in more advanced doubles play. It can look odd since both players are on the same side of the court, but fear not, it’s a great strategy and totally within the official pickleball rules. In this blog post we talk about tips and insights related to pickleball stacking strategies.
What is Pickleball Stacking?
It is a double strategy where both players keep to one side of the court – they, quite literally, stack up. Traditional doubles positioning is identical to that of tennis doubles positioning: one player on the left side of the court and the other player on the right side.
Stacking is used to help gain an advantage or desired result during a rally.
Most often teams made up of a left-handed and right-handed player are the ones that use this tactic, because both forehands will be kept in the middle.
And it is most commonly used by the serving team, but there are teams that will employ this strategy on the return of serve.
Pickleball Rules – Is Stacking Legal?
Absolutely. The official rulebook says: “As rule 4.B.7 states, ‘in doubles, there is no restriction on the position of the partners of the correct serve and receiver as long as they are on their respective team’s side of the net.’”
As long as you are on your side of the net, you and your partner are allowed to position yourselves anywhere on the court. It is essential however to remember what side of the court you are on for correct positioning PRIOR to the point starting.
Why Stack in Pickleball?
There are three reasons why you should use a stacking strategy:
- A right-handed player and a left-handed player will stack to keep both forehands in the middle. This closes the hole that is typically left in the middle of the court.
- When both players are the same handedness, teams will stack to hide any weaknesses.
- An advanced-level team will stack to give one player a better opportunity to poach the ball.
Simple Stacking Strategies
On Serve – When teams stack on serve you will see both players on the same side (ad or deuce) and then one player will move over to the open side. Typically the player which moves is the server.
On Return – Both players will start on the same side with the returner at the baseline and the volleyer next to the kitchen line. Once the return of serve is over the net, the returner slides over and the volleyer moves into the court to pick off any volleys that come their way.
More advanced pickleball stacking strategies occur on the return of serve. At times the player at the kitchen line will give the return of serve player a hand signal prior to the point. One signal will be to inform the player at the baseline who is returning the serve that the kitchen line player will be staying in their current position. Another signal will be that the players will swap sides after the return of serve is hit. The last signal will be that the player at the kitchen line will fake moving to the other side of the court. All of these pickleball stacking strategies are used to create advantages.
Is Stacking Confusing?
It certainly can be, but as long as you are able to keep track of which player should be serving and/or returning and from what position on the court, you should be totally fine. Always keep track of the score and remember which player on the stacking team served the first. If you start on the right side, you should be on the right side for every “even” point. If you start on the left side, you should be on the left side for every “even” point.
Practice makes perfect.
Stacking in Pickleball Tournaments
In pickleball tournaments, you may have a referee at times. It’s completely appropriate and useful to ask the referee if you are the right player in the right position before the serve starts a point. The referee will confirm or let you know that you are out of position. Use this pickleball tip to your advantage so you don’t lose a point. Stacking during recreational play is more forgiving of course!
Conclusion
Pickleball stacking can be a great and effective strategy to help maximize the strengths of a doubles team. Be advised to correct player positioning throughout the course of a match – nothing is worse than losing a point because players aren’t sure where they should be standing.
For pickleball stacking videos and other related pickleball skill level tips, please visit our Pickleball 3.5 page.