Alleviating Stacking Confusion

Stacking is such a different way to align teams that it is very hard for some to grasp. I hope that the reasons for stacking were clarified in yesterday's post One Way to Play with Lefty. I tried to explain how stacking works in my post Stacking. But it is always a good idea to have more than one point of view on a complex topic. Therefore, I will highlight the RV Pickler description of stacking appropriately called Pickleball Stacking 101: If You Are Confused.

Pickleball Stacking 101: If You Are Confused

I was refereeing a beginner’s tournament in The Villages. The concept of stacking is new to many players, and that was the case this particular day.

A female team (right and left-handed) were playing two right-handed male players. When the female team was down 4-9-2 they decided to stack for the first time. The guys across the net, both looked confused and one finally said to me, “What are they doing?….Can they do that?”

I answered “Yes” and offered to explain it to them after the game.  If you are new to pickleball, or have not been exposed to pickleball stacking, read on.

What is Stacking

Stacking is a technique or strategy used by some doubles teams to increase the number of times that players will have their forehand or backhands in the middle of the court.  It is most often observed in teams which include both a right and left-handed player.  The left-handed player typically starts the game on the right, or even, side of the court… thus covering the middle with both forehands.

However, some advanced teams of “like-handed” players utilize this strategy. For example, Sarah Ansboury and Christine McGraft use this strategy in part because of Christine’s strong backhand. I even once used this strategy early on in my pickleball “career”, when my female partner (at that time) had a very weak backhand. I would occupy the forehand (left or odd side of the court) and be responsible for covering the middle when possible.

Stacking and Pickleball Rules

What makes stacking possible is the fact that there are NO rules in pickleball that govern what side of the court a player may stand or hit the ball, except when serving or hitting a return of serve. After that single shot, on either side of the court, all bets are off. Likewise, you can stand anywhere on your side of the court. If you wanted to you could stand inside the non-volley zone when your partner is returning serve… just don’t get hit by the ball or hit a volley while standing there.

Stacking Team is Serving

Taking the example of the right and left-handed team, let’s review how a team would utilize this technique when serving:

• Typically the left-handed player would start the game, 0-0-2.
• Assuming a point was awarded,1-0-2, the “start-server” would be required to move to the left (or odd) side of the court and serve from that position.
• Typically, their partner, would stand to the left of the server (perhaps outside of the court) as their partner served.
• Upon hitting the serve, both players move right covering their respective sides of the court.

Again, the rules simply govern from what side a player must serve or return a serve. As such, it is incumbent on the stacking team to know their assigned positions under the rules. If they become confused or wish to confirm their position during a refereed match, they may ask the referee. If they were to serve or return a serve from the incorrect position, it would be a fault (resulting in a point or lose of serve).

Stacking Team is Receiving

Though there is no rule that requires you to stack while both serving and receiving, most teams do. Again, since there is nothing in the rules governing where you must stand you have options:

• Most advanced teams place the non-receiving player outside the court, near the non-volley zone line, on the side, they wish to cover. In the photo, we see Christine McGraft standing outside the court, near the non-volley zone as Sarah Ansboury returns the ball. In this scenario, after returning the ball, Sarah runs to cover the non-volley zone on the left and Christine moves to cover the right side.
• Another option would be to begin by standing in the more conventional position and then have the players cross to their preferred side of the court. You may have observed a player at the non-volley zone line placing their hand behind their back either exposing their palm or clenching their fist. This signifies to their partner at the baseline, what they intend to do after their partner hits the return of serve.  (This signal is also used to signify that a player intends to poach.)

It’s Good to Know

You want to understand stacking even if you don’t typically use it with your partner. Understanding the technique increases the number and ease with which you play with new partners during open or recreational play. It also may be something you want to consider and play with just to see if you have more success from one side of the court.

Keep in mind, you can choose to stack (or not to stack) on every single point. So if something isn’t working, perhaps you want to switch it up. For more on the when and why of stacking, check out Sarah’s blog post.