Switching sides after every point sounds simple. It starts sounding pretty inconvenient though, when you realize that your best player has been pushed to the side of the court where they are least comfortable. Stacking solves this problem. The Walker Sisters, Angie and Alex, break down why stacking works and how teams can use it easily.
At its core, stacking lets each player stay on the side of the court where they are most comfortable, rather than having to mechanically rotate, based on the score. On a surface level, this method might come off as a rather obvious strategy, but it has started to become one of the most useful tool in doubles pickleball.
Why teams Bother With It
The logic is actually pretty simple. It is very rare for players to be equally good on both sides of the field. One partner might have a forehand that dominates rallies, while the other just so happens to read the game better and control pace. Stacking lets teams build around these differences instead of ignoring them.
Generally the player on the left side of the court ends up being more aggressive in terms of seeing more balls, controlling more points, and often responsible for finishing rallies. The right side player takes on a quieter but equally important role, dinking consistently, managing pace, and supporting the team’s overall strategy.
There’s also a positioning logic behind it. Forehands reach further than backhands, so teams try to keep forehands covering the middle of the court. This becomes especially relevant when a left handed player is added to the equation. Them being on the right side means both partners can play forehand-first through the middle.
Stacking is way easier to pull off when serving. The server has to stand on the correct side based on the score, but their partner is free to stand at whichever position supports the gameplan. Once the ball is served, both players move to their preferred positions.
Returning, however, is more complicated than it seems. Since both players need to agree in advance on whether they are switching sides, communication becomes non-negotiable. Teams often use hand signals, such as an open palm for switch and a closed fist for stay.
That said, stacking on the return isn’t always a smart move. If the return is weak, switching sides may give the opposing team an advantage. In situations like these players usually call off the switch and hold their positions.
Communication doesn’t stop there, however. Calling out ‘stay’ to cancel switch, or ‘help’ when one partner needs coverage, prevents confusion and loss of points.
What is Half Stacking?
For teams that are not ready to commit to stacking, there’s a lighter version of it that’s worth trying. Half stacking. Here, teams only stack while serving, and then revert to standard positioning on returns. This is a way of getting some benefits of stacking without the complexity of switching during returns.
Stacking, if used correctly, is not about complicating the game at all. Its about giving both players a way to play from strength rather than compromise.
Written by Aradhya Mohan