What Is Stacking In Pickleball?

Stacking in pickleball is the positioning of players so they’re best situated to hit their strongest shots toward the middle of the court. This doubles team strategy keeps team members on their preferred side of the court so they can hit the ball with their dominant hand.

In a doubles pickleball game, traditional positioning means that partners switch sides after each point is scored.

The traditional positioning strategy is the best strategy for new players because it’s simpler and less likely that players will move into the wrong position.

However, stacking is an option for more advanced players.

When stacking, players on the serving team can switch positions after serving and the players on the receiving team can switch sides after the return of serve. Stacking can give either the receiving team or the serving team an advantage, but it’s particularly advantageous for the serving team.

For example, a team might want to stack because the left-hand side of the court is the preferred side for a right-handed player whose dominant hand is their right and they have a stronger forehand. Standing on the left side of the pickleball court will help them hit their strongest shot.

The most advantageous position for a left-handed player might be the right side of the court so their strong hand / dominant hand is toward the middle. However, if a left-handed player has a stronger backhand, then the right side of the court will be their preferred side.

If a player must serve or hit the return of serve on their weaker side, they would switch sides after the serve.

For pickleball players who are new to doubles play, stacking may be a new concept.

This article explains how to stack, the benefits and drawbacks, and enough information for you to determine when to stack, and when not to stack.

What is the purpose of stacking in pickleball?

The purpose of stacking in pickleball is:

To have each teammate on their strongest side
Help support a teammate’s weak side
So teammates can play on the most comfortable side
To throw off the opposing team
To align players against opposing players where they have had the most success

Players may choose to stack and unstack throughout a rally, a game, or a match. This is possible since stacking in pickleball is a legal strategy as long as the correct server is serving and the correct receiver is receiving the serve.

How do you stack in pickleball?

The concept of stacking in pickleball is straight forward but doing it while playing a fast-moving game without tripping over your partner can be difficult. Here’s a great video that explains stacking:

Here are a few methods that will show you how to stack without missing a beat.

Stacking on the Serve

Stacking on the serve is legal. As long as the server serves from the correct side, their partner can be anywhere on or off the court.

Here are the 2 most common positions for the serve and third shot when stacking on the serve:

The Traditional Stack – Serving with Partner Off-Court

Whether you are serving on the even or odd side of the court, the traditional stack method has the server’s partner standing just off court, beside the server. Once the serve is complete, both players will move into position for the 3^rd shot.

Advantages

Unlikely to get in each other’s way.
Both partners on the stacking team have time to easily get into position for the 3^rd shot.

Disadvantages

Your opponents know what you will do and can prepare for it.

The Switch Stack – Serving with Partner On-Court

The switch stack method has the server’s partner standing in their regular position on their side of the court. Once the serve is complete, both players on the stacking team will move into position for the 3^rd shot.

When changing positions for the 3^rd shot, it is important that the players know who will slide in front of the other to avoid a collision. A common approach is the server moves in front of its partner.

Advantages

Your opponents don’t know that you will stack and can’t plan for it.
Can help mitigate when opponents are targeting a teammate.

Disadvantages

This move needs to be coordinated so teammates do not run into each other.

Stacking on the Return of Serve

Stacking on the return of serve requires more movement. Here are the 2 most common stacking positions:

Traditional Stack – Returning with Partner Off-Court

The traditional stacking method for the return of serve has the receiver’s partner standing just off court, near the non-volley zone line. This allows the returning player free reign to hit the return of serve across the court or down the center line.

Once the return of serve is complete, both players will move into position near the kitchen line into the ready position.

Advantages

The player returning the serve has free reign to return the serve anywhere on the court.
Players will not interfere with each other when moving to their next position.

Disadvantages

Your opponents know what you will do and can prepare for it.
The server has a long distance to travel to be prepared for the next shot. The return should be hit close to the opponent’s baseline to allow time for the server to get into position.

stacking in pickleball - returning with partner off court

The Switch Stack – Returning with Partner On-Court

The switch stacking method has the receiver’s partner standing in their regular position on their side of the court. Once the return is complete, the receiver’s partner moves to the other side of the court. The receiver then moves into the position where their partner was.

The switch stack with the partner standing on-court is a preferred method since your opponents will not know what you are planning and could catch them off guard.

Pickleball Stacking Hand Signals (Switch stack hand signals)

Sometimes it’s not convenient to yell to your partner “Let’s do a switch stack next!”.

Hand signals are the better choice.

Pickleball stacking hand signals are used behind the back of the player at the non-volley zone line so the other player can see but the opponent can’t. Normally the hand signal for stacking is an open hand. And the signal to stay where you are is a closed fist.

Advantages

Your opponents don’t know that you will stack and can’t plan for it.
Can help mitigate when opponents are targeting a teammate.
This can be used several times throughout a rally to stack and unstack.

Disadvantages

The receiver has a long distance to travel since they must go crosscourt to get ready for the return.
Returns should be deep into the opponent’s court to allow time to get into position.

FAQ – What is stacking in Pickleball

Are there limits to how many times a team stacks during a game?

No, there is no limit to how many times a team stacks during a game as long as the correct person serves from the correct position and the correct receiver receives from the correct position.

If I stack and forget my position, can I ask the referee if I am in the right position?

If you stack and forget your position, you can ask the referee if you’re in the right position but they aren’t allowed to tell you if you’re you’re in the right position. But, the referee can say the score and players can figure out their position from the score.

Is there any advantage to stacking if both players on a team are right-handed and have strong forehands?

Sometimes, there is an advantage to stacking, even though common knowledge says that the player with the strongest forehand should be on the left, but it may be difficult to determine who is the strongest with evenly-matched players.

Sometimes stacking position is determined by who is more comfortable on what side or who has the strongest backhand. Switch stacking may also be used to throw off the other team, or to mitigate when one player is being attacked.

Stacking can be used as a “tool in the toolbox” that can be pulled out when the right situation arises.

Is stacking okay for beginner pickleball players?

Stacking is okay for beginner pickleball players but it’s more suited for advanced players. Beginner players could try half stacking which is when a team stacks only when they serve, and stays in traditional positions when they return. Half-stacking is easier to track who’s serving and from which position.

What is full stacking in pickleball?

Full stacking is when a team stacks for every point, regardless of whether their team is serving or returning. Full stacking gives players the opportunity to play from positions that are to their advantage as often as possible and in theory, doing better in a game.

What is half stacking in pickleball?

Half stacking, also called partial stacking, is when a team stacks only when they are serving, and stays in traditional positions when they are returning. Half-stacking makes it easier to know who is serving and from which position. It’s also ideal positioning when serving because the serving team earns points.

What if an incorrect player serves?

If an incorrect player serves, it’s a fault. If an incorrect player serves during a tournament, the referee will stop play, and call a fault. Once play has stopped, a player can ask the referee to confirm who is the correct server.

Is stacking legal in pickleball?

Yes, stacking is legal in pickleball as long as the correct server is serving from the correct service court and the correct receiver is receiving the ball from the correct service court. All other pickleball rules are followed.

How do you stack in pickleball?

Pickleball players stack in pickleball by positioning each player on the court in their strongest position. As an example, a player with a strong forehand who is serving from the right service court could switch positions with the player in the left court who has the stronger backhand.

When should you stack in pickleball?

You should stack in pickleball when it could help improve the chances of successfully returning the ball. As an example, if one player has a strong backhand but the other player has a weak backhand, stacking so the strong backhand is on the left side of the court is advantageous.

What are the pickleball stacking rules?

There aren’t any pickleball stacking rules but the correct server must be in the correct serving position and the receiver must be in the correct receiving position.

Summary – What is stacking in pickleball?

I hope that you’ve found this information about stacking in pickleball helpful.

Here’s a quick summary of stacking in pickleball:

In doubles play strategy traditional positioning and position rotation happens with the serving team after a point is earned. In a doubles pickleball game, traditional positioning means that partners switch sides after each point is scored.

The traditional positioning strategy is the best strategy for new players because it’s simpler and less likely that players will move into the incorrect position.

However, stacking is an option for more advanced players and is a strategy that can be used by either the receiving team or the serving team.

Articles Related To: What is stacking in pickleball?

When should you stack in pickleball?