There are many strategic choices in pickleball.

Who will be the first server? How will you serve? When will you take advantage of the opponent’s weakness? How will you play the pickleball game — aggressive or slow?

But have you considered your stacking strategy?

No, we’re not talking about piling things up or lifting weights. We’re talking about pickleball stacking, and this blog post will explain the ins and outs of this doubles pickleball tactic. So, keep scrolling to learn more!

The Basics of Pickleball Stacking

We’ll start with the basics.

We all know the rules. There are two players on each team in doubles pickleball.

Traditionally, each player stands in a unique service court. In other words, one player is on the left; the other, meanwhile, stands on the right side. This is your quintessential starting position.

However, when stacking, both players stand on the same side of the court before serving or receiving the ball. Players shift to their preferred sides after the ball is hit. As a serving team, the players stand side-by-side. As the receiving team, one player stands on the service court while the other occupies the corresponding sideline.

Notably, this setup must still abide by proper service order. Teams stand on the right side of the court to receive or serve on even scores. For odd scores, players must begin on the left-hand side of the court.

Why Should Players Shift Positions?

“That sounds a bit complicated,” you may be saying. “Why bother with a stacking team configuration? Why not use the correct position to begin with?”

These are great questions, and many teams reject the stacking tactic. However, it has its benefits.

Maintain Control

One of the most obvious perks of pickleball stacking is court control.

Think of it this way: You’re shifting player starting positions. So, if your doubles team has a strong forehand hitter, you can easily keep them in the middle of the court throughout the game. Similarly, you can compensate for your own weaknesses as needed, adjusting to your opponent’s tactical pivots.

For example, let’s say the stacking team has one left-handed player. Traditionally, players would rigidly switch sides according to the score. While this offers each player a chance to serve and receive, it also places the left-handed player’s forehand further from the center of the court for half the game. However, with stacking, players can pick their side of the court as needed.

Up the Aggression

Regardless of handedness, a stacking strategy also provides a strategic advantage.

It may be tempting to pick the safest side of the court, but switching up your placement can throw a wrench in your opponent’s game. Straying from your preferred side may be enough to catch the opposite side off-guard, giving you an opening to score a point!

What Is Half-Stacking?

There’s also half-stacking. This is the same as regular stacking, but it’s only done as the serving team.

In many cases, this is done to simplify gameplay.

Many players find stacking confusing. Moreover, it’s far from a must-have strategy. Stacking for the sake of stacking is like eating when you’re not hungry. It’s an excessive indulgence with little benefit. In some cases, unnecessary stacking can become a disadvantage, forcing players to the wrong side of the court or confusing newer players.

The Importance of Teamwork When Stacking

Regardless of your choices — whether you love or hate stacking — there’s one thing you must have before trying it.

It may seem cliché, but teamwork is a necessity.

This is a highly interactive and cooperative pickleball strategy. You cannot and should not try to stack with everyone you meet. That’s a surefire way to end up in the incorrect position.

But, if both you and your teammate are in agreement, there are ways to make stacking easier.

Use Hand Signals

Communication is a must.

While you can call out plays, it’s often better to use subtle hand signals. These subtle gestures are harder to catch during a game, allowing you to keep your ingenious pickleball plan a secret. They’re also handy to have if you’re on a loud court or in the middle of an intense match.

Know Your Strengths

You’ll also want to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths.

Few pickleball players are masters of everything. Some may serve better from the right-hand side, while others may excel at backhand returns. Play accordingly and stack to meet those needs.

Consider, too, the needs of the game. If the opposing team is constantly hitting tricky plays in the non-volley zone, you’ll want the strongest close-quarters hitter countering their plays. However, you do not want to place the deep-court hitter in the same position!

Should I Use Stacking?

Ultimately, the choice is yours.

You’ll need good communication, a reliable partner, and a strong understanding of pickleball’s serving sequence. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for frustration and failure. However, if you’re sure of your abilities, stacking can be a valuable strategy.

If you’re a new pickleball player, your best bet is to master the basics and develop your skills before attempting complex strategic plays. Fortunately, Pickle Goddesses is here to help! We’re always ready to serve up some fantastic pickleball tricks, tips, and news. We’ll even help you learn the best stretches to do before you play.

Need more help?

We’ve answered every new pickleball player’s most significant questions!

Already an experienced player?

Well, this blog post is just one of our pickleball strategy guides! There are many more things to learn, and you’ll find them all on the Pickle Goddesses blog.