Pickleball Doubles Stacking Strategy: Pickleball coach and senior pro player Linda Thompson explained how stacking can help doubles teams improve their game. Stacking is when two players start a point on the same side of the court to gain an advantage. Thompson emphasized that stacking is useful in many situations, not just for left-handed players or mixed doubles.
Thompson recently played in a national championship with a partner who was a strong hitter while she played steady. “We stacked so we were two women and we were stacking,” she said, showing how the strategy can help teams work together.
How Stacking Works
Stacking can be done in several ways. A half stack happens when players only stack while serving. For example, if Thompson serves from one side, her partner Nathan stays on the side they prefer. After serving, Thompson moves back to her preferred side while Nathan stays in position. The tricky part is remembering the score, but players can use the rule that even scores stay on one side and odd scores on the other.
A full stack occurs when players switch sides both at the baseline and at the kitchen line. Thompson explained,
“If we know that we want to switch I might go stand over here off the side of the court and Nathan’s going to return and just go there and I’m going to come in and fill in.” Players can also use hand signals to communicate, such as an open palm to move or a closed palm to stay.
A three-quarter stack is used when one partner cannot move quickly due to injury or limited mobility. They may stay on one side while the other partner moves to fill in. Thompson noted, “It’s very effective because you can really keep them off balance if they don’t know what you’re going to do.”
Tips for Successful Stacking
Proper shot placement is crucial for stacking. Thompson advised hitting lofted or down-the-line shots to give enough time to switch sides. “I want to give myself time to get up there,” she said. Crosscourt returns can make switching difficult, so careful planning is needed. Stacking is also useful for players who prefer a certain side or want to change momentum during a match.
Thompson highlighted that stacking can be used strategically to give teams a different look, disrupt opponents, and gain an advantage even for a single point.
News in Brief: Pickleball Doubles Stacking Strategy
Linda Thompson explains stacking in doubles pickleball. Stacking allows two players to start on the same side of the court to gain an advantage. Types include half stack, full stack, and three-quarter stack. Proper communication, shot placement, and timing make stacking effective for both mixed and same-gender doubles teams.
ALSO READ: Master the Pickleball Doubles Return: Coach Reveals the Shot That Changes the Game