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Stacking
Stacking is a doubles positioning strategy where partners line up on the same side before the serve or return, then switch, to keep each player on their stronger (usually forehand-middle) side.
By stacking, a team can keep both forehands in the middle (where most balls go) or shield a weaker backhand, regardless of the score-driven serving rules. It requires clear signals and footwork to switch cleanly after the serve. Full stacking and half stacking are tools advanced teams use to engineer favorable matchups.
Example
To keep both forehands in the middle, the partners stack on the left, then cross to their preferred sides as the serve is struck.
Related terms
- PoachA poach is crossing in front of your partner to volley a ball that was heading to them — an aggressive doubles move to take a put-away or surprise the opponents.
- ServeThe pickleball serve is an underhand stroke, made below the waist, hit diagonally into the opposite service box. It starts the point but — under the two-bounce rule — can’t be followed to the net.
Related guides & benchmarks
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