When Not to Stack in Pickleball Doubles and What to Do Instead

When Not to Stack: Situational Doubles Positioning Mistakes in Pickleball
Introduction: The Lure of the Stack
Stacking is one of the most powerful and strategic tools in doubles pickleball. It allows teams to keep their strongest players on their preferred sides, maximizes forehand dominance in the middle, and helps in setting up specific formations. However, just because you can stack doesn’t mean you should.

Many amateur and intermediate teams adopt stacking as a default tactic without recognizing that in certain situations, it creates more problems than it solves.

What Is Stacking, Briefly?
For context, stacking is a method of positioning in doubles where players temporarily "stack" on the same side of the court during the serve or return to manipulate positioning. The goal is usually to:

Keep a forehand-dominant player in the middle.

Keep a left-handed player on the right side (and vice versa).

Set up offensive formations or mismatches.

But improper stacking can lead to:

Court confusion

Missed assignments

Poor recovery time

Gaps in coverage

Mistake #1: Stacking on the Return Against Fast Servers
The situation: You attempt a stack while returning against a power server.

Why it’s a mistake:
When one player has to run across the court after hitting a return just to assume a stacked position, it often leaves half the court unguarded for a few critical seconds. If your opponents have strong third-shot drives or aggressive net rushes, you risk giving up a winner before you're even in position.

What to do instead:

Use a neutral formation until you stabilize.

Reserve stacking for when your returner can reliably hit a deep, high return to give time for repositioning.

Mistake #2: Overusing Stack During a Losing Streak
The situation: Your team is trailing, so you fall back on stacking to “regain control.”

Why it’s a mistake:
Stacking adds mental complexity during already high-pressure moments. If your communication isn’t airtight, one missed signal can lead to unforced errors, overlapping, or both players covering the same zone.

What to do instead:

Revert to standard formations temporarily to simplify your game.

Focus on consistent serves, deep returns, and fundamental positioning.

Reintroduce stacking once rhythm and communication improve.

Mistake #3: Stacking With a Mobility-Impaired Partner
The situation: One player has slower lateral movement or endurance issues, but the team stacks anyway to favor the stronger player’s side.

Why it’s a mistake:
Stacking requires quick cross-court shifts and precision coverage. If one partner can't reposition quickly, the open court becomes an easy target for poachers and cross-court winners.

What to do instead:

Adopt traditional positioning and instead focus on shot strategy (like stacking only on serve or never on the return).

Minimize the number of shifts and prioritize consistency over side-preference.

Mistake #4: Miscommunication on Score-Based Stacking
The situation: Teams forget who should be where based on even or odd scores during stacking rotations.

Why it’s a mistake:
Every rally point matters. Miscommunication about positions can lead to serving from the wrong side, foot faults, or players being out of position, which results in forfeited points.

What to do instead:

Use hand signals or short verbal cues (“stack left,” “stay,” “flip”).

Assign one player the responsibility of calling out the stacking sequence each point.

Rehearse position calls in practice until they become second nature.

Mistake #5: Stacking Without a Strong Third Shot Game
The situation: You stack to place a strong finisher up front, but your third shot (especially drop shots) isn't consistent.

Why it’s a mistake:
Stacking often puts players in vulnerable transitions. Without a solid third-shot drop or drive, your team is left mid-court, out of sync, and vulnerable to hard attacks or lobs.

What to do instead:

Develop reliable third-shot drops before making stacking your go-to strategy.

Consider hybrid stacking only when on serve and using safe third-shot tactics.

Mistake #6: Stacking Against Lob-Centric Opponents
The situation: The opposing team loves to lob, especially over the weaker or shorter player in the stack.

Why it’s a mistake:
Stacked formations often leave the backcourt exposed, especially when both players are near the non-volley zone line. Aggressive lobbers can repeatedly target the uncovered side, causing chaos.

What to do instead:

Use a deeper, balanced formation to cover lobs more effectively.

Incorporate a “one-up-one-back” formation temporarily to neutralize the lob threat.

Avoid stacking when you know the opponents have superior overhead placement and patience.

Mistake #7: Stacking Every Point on Serve and Return
The situation: Teams default to stacking regardless of serve or return side, game score, or point flow.

Why it’s a mistake:
Overstacking reduces spontaneity and creates predictability. Savvy opponents quickly spot patterns and exploit them. It also increases fatigue, especially when players repeatedly sprint across the court.

What to do instead:

Stack only when advantageous—e.g., on your team’s serve, or when holding momentum.

Learn to adapt formations mid-game instead of sticking to one philosophy.

Advanced Players Know: Selective Stacking Is Smart Stacking
Pros and 5.0 players rarely stack for every point. They assess:

Opponent weaknesses

Court conditions (wind, sun)

Fatigue levels

Score pressure

They may only stack at 7–7 or higher, or after specific side-outs to gain a tactical edge. This kind of selective stacking lets teams gain advantages without compromising rhythm or coverage.

Checklist: When to Avoid Stacking
Scenario Avoid Stacking?
Against fast servers Yes
Partner has mobility issues Yes
You’re down and making errors Yes
Struggling with third shot Yes
Facing lob-heavy opponents Yes
Score confusion or misrotation Yes
Momentum is in your favor No—Consider stacking if it boosts offense

Conclusion: Stack with Intention, Not by Habit
Stacking is a tactical weapon, but it’s not a cure-all. In fact, using it indiscriminately can backfire and cost games. The most effective pickleball teams don’t just know how to stack—they know when not to.

Smart positioning, crystal-clear communication, and game flow awareness are just as important as any formation. By recognizing the limits of stacking and adjusting accordingly, players can maintain court balance and make better decisions in real time.