STACKING 101
DIAGRAM 1
A
DIAGRAM 2
B
B
DIAGRAM 3
A
DIAGRAM 4
A
B
B
C
A
C
D
D
C
D
C
D
cross over to the deuce side after he returns the ball. Player A
will slide into the ad side.
Stacking on return can be trickier. It is important to note
the score and if it is odd or even. If it is even, the person on
the team who started the game must return the serve from
the deuce side. If the score is odd, the person on the team who
started the game must return from the ad side.
Stacking on Return
When stacking on return, both players will again start
on the same side with the returning player at the baseline
and the non‑returning player next to the kitchen line. The
returning player will cross over to the opposite side while the
non‑returning slides into the volley position near the kitchen.
In order to keep a player on a certain side, the returning team
will have to stack when both players are receiving. Diagrams
3 and 4 show stacking using both returning players. In these
examples, the returning team is trying to keep Player A on the
ad side and Player B on the deuce side.
Diagram 3: Stacking on return. Players A and B are the
receiving team and are in a stacked position. Player D is the
server and is serving to Player A. In this example, Player A will
cross over to the ad side after he returns the ball. Player B will
slide into the deuce side. This allows Player A to remain on the
ad side while returning.
Diagram 4: Stacking on return. Player C is the server on the
ad side and is serving to Player B. In this example, Player B will
THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT:
• Always check to make sure your team is on the correct side
and has the correct server/returner. Nothing is worse than
losing a point or serve for mixing this up!
• Stacking on return requires a lot more running to get the
returning player crossed over. Therefore, if someone is not
as agile, it may not make sense to have him stack when
returning.
• If one player is less agile, you can do a ¾ stack. This means
stacking on serve and only half the time on return. When
the less agile player is returning, you will stay in traditional
positioning so that he/she will not have to run across the
court. •
Christine McGrath resides in Los Angeles, CA.
She was the highest female prize money winner
for pickleball in 2015. Christine is a 4x Tournament
of Champions medalist and 6x Nationals VII
medalist. She also enjoys the outdoors, dirt biking,
snowboarding, and spending time with family.
JUNE 2016 |
MAGAZINE
19