PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION
DEFINITIVE PLAYER’ S GUIDE TO
Stacking
BY ROB DAVIDSON / DIRECTOR, LEVELUP PICKLEBALL CAMPS
I once asked a player,“ Do you like to stack?” and he replied,“ I like to stack my pancakes!” Needless to say, that was not the type of stacking to which I was referring. Many players have seen or heard of stacking, but are not familiar with the concept enough to try it themselves. That is really too bad. Stacking adds a whole new dimension to the strategy and fun of pickleball. But what is stacking?
Stacking is the act of positioning the non-“ active” player( i. e. non-serving or non-returning) to a position on( or off!) the court that allows the“ active” player to move to the opposite side of the court after his / her“ action.” This allows players who return or serve on the right side to move over to the left side of the court after hitting their return or serve. If you and your partner decide to stack, be sure the designated first server has a wrist band on( assuming rec play or non-sanctioned tournaments, since sanctioned tournaments require it). This will decrease the number of“ correct position” arguments. It is important to note that even when your team has decided to stack,( in most cases) you are only stacking half of the time because you will either be stacked on your odd score or your even score, but not both.
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