If you have watched competitive pickleball doubles, you have probably noticed something that looks odd: both partners standing on the same side of the court before a serve or return, then sliding into position once the ball is in play. That is stacking -- one of the most effective positioning strategies in doubles pickleball, and one of the most misunderstood.
Stacking in pickleball is not as complicated as it looks. Once you understand the logic behind it and practice the movement patterns a few times, it becomes second nature. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about pickleball stacking: what it is, why teams use it, how to execute it on both the serving and returning side, and when it makes sense for your game.
If you are still getting comfortable with the basics of doubles play, start with the pickleball doubles strategy guide first, then come back here when you are ready to add this tactic to your toolkit.
What Is Stacking?
In standard pickleball doubles, each player stays on their designated side of the court -- the right side (even court) or the left side (odd court) -- based on the score. When the score is even, the server or returner is on the right. When it is odd, they are on the left. Your partner stands on the opposite side.
Stacking changes this. In a stacking formation, both players line up on the same side of the court before the serve or return. After the ball is struck, they slide into their preferred positions rather than the positions dictated by the score. The player who was "stacked" -- standing off to the side or behind their partner -- moves into the open half of the court once the point begins.
The result is that each player ends up on their preferred side of the court regardless of what the score says. If you always want to play the left side, stacking lets you do that whether the score is 0-0-2 or 3-1-1.
Stacking is completely legal. There is nothing in the official rules that says you must stand in a specific spot on the court -- only the server and returner have positional requirements (the correct server must serve from the correct side, and the correct returner must return from the correct side). Partners are free to stand wherever they want.
Why Teams Stack
Stacking exists because not all court positions are created equal. There are real tactical advantages to having specific players on specific sides, and the standard rotation based on the score does not always put you where you want to be. Here are the main reasons teams use pickleball doubles stacking.
Keep forehands in the middle. The most common reason to stack is to ensure that both players have their forehand covering the center of the court. The middle is where most dink rallies and volley exchanges happen, and a forehand is a stronger, more offensive shot than a backhand for most players. When a right-handed player is on the left side and a left-handed player is on the right side, both forehands naturally point toward the center. If the score rotation would put them on the wrong sides, stacking fixes that.
Exploit a lefty-righty combination. A left-handed and right-handed partnership is one of the most common reasons for stacking in pickleball. With both forehands in the middle, this combination creates a wall of offensive shots down the center line. Many of the top professional doubles teams feature a lefty-righty pairing for exactly this reason. Without stacking, the score will put them on the "wrong" sides half the time.
Keep the stronger player in their best position. Sometimes one partner is significantly more skilled or has a dominant forehand. Stacking allows that player to always play the side where they are most effective. If your partner has a lethal forehand from the left side, it does not make sense to move them to the right side just because the score changed.
Create better coverage patterns. Beyond the forehand advantage, stacking lets teams optimize their overall court coverage. Some players move better in one direction, have stronger cross-court angles from a particular side, or simply feel more comfortable and confident in their preferred position.
Full Stacking vs Half Stacking
There are two main variations of stacking, and the one you choose depends on how much positional control you want and how comfortable you are with the movement patterns.
Full stacking means you stack on every single point -- both when serving and when returning, regardless of the score. This gives you complete control over who plays which side. You and your partner will always be in your preferred positions. The trade-off is that full stacking requires more movement and coordination. Both players need to be comfortable with the sliding patterns and communication involved.
Half stacking means you only stack on the points where the score would put you on the wrong side. On points where the normal rotation already has you in your preferred positions, you play standard formation. This is simpler to execute because you are only making the extra movement half the time. Many recreational and intermediate teams start with half stacking before graduating to full stacking.
For example, imagine you and your partner want you on the right side and your partner on the left side at all times. When the score is even, you are already on the right side as the server or returner, so you play normally. When the score is odd, the rotation would put you on the left side -- so you stack to get back to the right. That is half stacking.
The choice between full and half stacking is a matter of preference and comfort. Full stacking is more consistent because the movement pattern is the same every time, which can actually make it easier to develop muscle memory. Half stacking is less disruptive but requires you to switch between two different modes of play.
How to Stack When Serving
Stacking on the serving side requires coordination between the server and their partner. Here is how to execute it step by step.
Step 1: The server stands in the correct position. The rules require the correct server to serve from the correct side of the court (right side when the serving team's score is even, left side when odd). This does not change with stacking. The server must be in the legal position.
Step 2: The server's partner positions near the server. Instead of standing on the opposite side of the court, the server's partner stands close to the server -- typically just outside the sideline or behind the server on the same side. The partner needs to be out of the way of the serve but ready to move.
Step 3: The server hits the serve. Nothing special here. Serve deep, serve with intent, same as always.
Step 4: Both players slide into preferred positions. Immediately after the serve, both players move. The server shifts to their preferred side of the court, and the partner slides across to the other side. Because the serving team must let the return bounce (the two-bounce rule), there is time for this movement -- you do not need to rush. The return of serve will travel across the net, bounce, and then you hit your third shot from your preferred positions.
The key to making this work is timing. The partner should start moving as soon as the serve is struck. By the time the return comes back and bounces, both players should be settled in their preferred positions and ready for the third shot.
Common mistake on the serving side: The partner starts moving too late and is still in transition when the third shot needs to be hit. Practice the slide until it becomes automatic.
How to Stack When Returning
Stacking on the return side is slightly different because the returning team has a positional advantage -- the non-returning partner can move to the kitchen line right away.
Step 1: The correct returner stands on the correct side. Just like with serving, the rules dictate which player returns from which side based on the score. The returner must be in the legal position.
Step 2: The returner's partner positions near the returner. The non-returning partner stands on the same side as the returner, usually near the kitchen line on that side or just off the court on the same side. They are ready to slide across as soon as the return is hit.
Step 3: The returner hits the return. Hit it deep, as always. A deep return gives both players more time to get into position.
Step 4: Both players move to preferred positions. The returner hits the return and then moves forward toward the kitchen line on their preferred side. The partner slides across to the kitchen line on the other side. Both players should arrive at the kitchen line at roughly the same time, settled in their preferred positions.
Stacking on the return side is actually easier than on the serving side because the returning team's goal is always the same: get to the kitchen line. The slide across the court happens naturally as both players move forward.
Common mistake on the return side: The non-returning partner slides too early, before the return is hit, and gets caught by a serve aimed at the open side. Wait until the return is struck before committing to the slide.
Common Stacking Formations
While the basic concept of stacking is the same, teams implement it in a few different ways depending on their preferences and skill levels.
Traditional stacking is what we have described above. Both players line up on the same side, then slide into preferred positions after the serve or return. This is the most common form of stacking and what most people mean when they talk about pickleball stacking.
Switching is a variation where both players start in standard positions but switch sides during the rally. For example, one player hits a shot and then slides behind their partner to the other side while the partner shifts over. This is often used after a specific shot -- like after the third shot drop, both players switch while moving to the kitchen line. Switching is more fluid and less structured than traditional stacking, and it requires excellent communication.
Partial or situational stacking means you only stack in specific situations -- for example, only when a particular player is serving, or only on one side of the court. This is common when a team has one player who strongly prefers a specific side but the other player is comfortable on either side. You stack when needed and play standard when it does not matter.
Each of these approaches is valid. The best one for your team depends on your comfort level, your partner's preferences, and how much practice time you have to devote to it.
When NOT to Stack
Stacking is a powerful tool, but it is not for everyone in every situation. Here are times when stacking may hurt more than it helps.
When both players are right-handed with similar skill levels. If neither player has a strong preference for a particular side and both forehands are roughly equal, the benefit of stacking is minimal. The extra movement and coordination required may introduce more errors than the positional advantage is worth.
When you and your partner have not practiced it. Stacking requires coordinated movement. If you try it for the first time during a competitive game, you are likely to get confused, leave gaps on the court, and give away easy points. Practice it in recreational play or drilling sessions before bringing it to a match.
In casual rec play with a new partner. If you are playing with someone you have never played with before, stacking adds a layer of complexity that can cause frustration. Play standard formation, communicate well, and save the stacking for partners you have practiced with.
When it creates more confusion than advantage. Some players overthink stacking and end up distracted by the positioning instead of focusing on the ball. If stacking is making you play worse -- if you are colliding with your partner, leaving the court open, or hesitating on shots because you are unsure of your position -- go back to standard formation and revisit stacking later.
When your opponents are not good enough for it to matter. At lower skill levels, raw shot-making and consistency win more points than advanced positioning. If you and your partner can just keep the ball in play and get to the kitchen line, you will beat most beginner-to-intermediate teams without needing to stack.
The bottom line: stacking should make your team better. If it is not doing that, you do not need it yet.
Stacking Signals and Communication
Clear communication is the backbone of effective stacking. Because both players need to move in coordination, you need a system to signal when you are stacking and what formation you are using.
Hand signals behind the back. The most common communication method is for the non-serving or non-returning partner to hold up hand signals behind their back before the point starts. Common signals include:
- Open hand (fingers spread): We are stacking on this point -- I will slide to the other side.
- Closed fist: Standard formation -- stay on our normal sides.
- One finger: I am going to poach or switch after the serve/return.
The specific signals do not matter as long as both partners agree on what they mean. Some teams use more elaborate systems, but simple is usually better.
Verbal cues. Before the serve, a quick verbal confirmation helps prevent mix-ups. A simple "stack" or "switch" or "stay" is enough. Keep it short -- you do not want to telegraph your intentions to your opponents, but your partner needs to know the plan.
Pre-game agreement. The easiest approach for teams that always stack is to decide before the match: "We stack every point. I am always on the left, you are always on the right." When the plan is always the same, you do not need signals at all. You just execute the movement pattern on every point.
Eye contact. Before each point, make brief eye contact with your partner to confirm you are on the same page. A quick nod goes a long way. The worst thing that can happen with stacking is both players moving to the same side or neither player moving when they should.
Practice your signals during warm-ups. Run through a few points with stacking before the match starts so that both players feel the rhythm. The communication should be automatic by the time the real points begin.
Putting It All Together
Stacking in pickleball doubles is ultimately about one thing: getting both players into their strongest positions on every point. Whether you are a lefty-righty pair looking to keep forehands in the middle, a team with one dominant player who needs to be on a specific side, or a competitive partnership optimizing every edge you can find, stacking gives you control over your court positioning that standard formation does not.
Start with half stacking if the concept is new to you. Pick the side each player prefers, and only stack on the points where the score puts you on the wrong side. Once the movement feels natural, try full stacking and see if the consistency helps. Drill it before you compete with it, communicate clearly with your partner, and do not be afraid to go back to standard formation if it is not clicking on a given day.
Like every part of doubles strategy, stacking is a tool. The best teams know when to use it and when to keep things simple. Add it to your game thoughtfully, practice it deliberately, and it will give you a real competitive advantage on the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is stacking legal in pickleball?
Yes, stacking is completely legal. The official rules only require the correct server to serve from the correct side and the correct returner to receive from the correct side. Partners can stand anywhere on their side of the court. After the serve or return, all players are free to move wherever they want.
Do I need a left-handed partner to stack?
No. While a lefty-righty combination is the most common reason for stacking, it is not the only one. Two right-handed players can stack if one player strongly prefers a specific side or if one player has a significantly better forehand and you want them covering the middle. The key is whether stacking puts your team in better positions than standard formation.
What is the difference between stacking and switching?
Stacking happens before the point begins -- both players line up on the same side and slide into position after the serve or return. Switching happens during the rally -- players start in standard positions and swap sides mid-point, usually after a specific shot. Both accomplish the same goal of getting players to their preferred sides, but the timing and movement patterns are different.
Will stacking confuse the other team?
It can, especially at the recreational level where opponents may not be familiar with it. However, that should not be your primary reason for stacking. The real benefit is optimizing your own positioning. Any confusion it causes for the other team is a bonus, but it is not something you should rely on.
How long does it take to learn stacking?
Most teams can learn the basic movement patterns in two or three practice sessions. The slide from one side to the other is not physically difficult -- it is more about timing and coordination with your partner. Start with half stacking in casual play, and within a few sessions, the movement will feel natural. Full stacking may take a few more sessions to feel automatic.
Does stacking work in recreational play?
It can, but it depends on your partner. Stacking requires both players to understand and commit to the movement. If you are playing with a regular partner who is willing to practice it, stacking works at any level. If you are playing with random partners at open play, stick with standard formation to avoid confusion.
Can stacking help with the scoring confusion in pickleball?
Interestingly, stacking can sometimes add to scoring confusion because players are not always on the side the score would suggest. It helps to have one player on the team responsible for tracking the score. Before each point, confirm the score, confirm who is serving or returning, and then execute the stack. With practice, it becomes routine.
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