What is Stacking? Pickleball Stacking Strategies Explained

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Timestamps:
00:00

[@wristkisses]

You've very quickly become my favorite pickleball tactic explainer. Very clear tips and reasons for them. Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! Glad its helpful

[@mitchgillilan]

Thanks Kyle. Since I'm a lefty, the more advanced players always want me to stack, and I was having trouble with it until I watched this! Your a great teacher

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad to help!

[@dmills7375]

I've watched a lot of videos on stacking, this was one of the best.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Wow, thanks!

[@Slus2727]

Another quality video and quality editing as well. These tips can help take anyone’s game to the next level. They all make sense and are explained well.. Watched the John’s brothers utilize stacking in the last tourney. Now I now the terminology and can teach it to others as well.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it helped!!

[@kbrown1948]

Best video explanation of stacking! Thank you so much

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@incredable6211]

Lot's of good info thank-you, I'm a lefty so stacking is something I need. I've watched several stacking videos, the thing that most don't talk much about is , how that works and what options you have as to how that can play out. Again thanks for a great video.

[@thatpickleballguy]

glad it was helpful!

[@barbaraglass5491]

Awesome explanation and easy to comprehend

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EK-gf7yu]

Great video thanks so much

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cathygraham8005]

Great video and explanation of advantages and pitfalls. My hubs and I did stacking on the offense but not defense in a tournament. It worked pretty well but yeah - defense gets a bit dicey....well it did for me. 🤪

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deanjohnston7176]

THIS video is what finally made stacking make sense for me. I'm a lefty, so I prefer to be on the right...1st server...even numbers...right side. Ding!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jackspringer8433]

Great backhand dink by Tyler at 13:00 😆😆

[@thatpickleballguy]

The guy sure is improving!!

[@robertwray6004]

Best explanation of stacking logistics/strategy I've seen--grazie!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!!

[@danhotel5961]

I've been stacking with my lefty partner for 2 months now and find it works great, just have to communicate real well about who's got the middle ball. Surprised you didn't mention that the return of serve, when unwinding the stack, should be a lofted shot to allow the unwinding to complete. When we're unwinding we never hit a hard driving return. Just my two cents on an otherwise great video.

[@thatpickleballguy]

yeah I definitely could have added that. Second mistake I've made since 1997 :)

[@dedecasteberry4168]

That is used in platform tennis very often especially with a righty and lefty

[@quy-le]

One of the best explanations on stacking. What about switch stacking on the serve, ie stack after serving

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you! And I'm not sure what you mean switch stacking? Can you explain further?

[@TheoNgo-sp6it]

I think OP means when the serving team (each player on a side, not 2 players in the same box) switches sides right after the serve. I believe it’s used for when servers want to mix it up so that the returning team can’t target someone with the return.

[@kbotelho27]

Research, "Shadow Shifting".

[@thatrealambergirl]

I know this was a stacking video. And even though I knew the odd / even score side. Its something that still gets messed up! Mostly because I just let it all go when no one else is as adiment as I am about keeping score. But this break down of the score, might have fully make it stick!! 🤞🏼😄🏓

[@thatpickleballguy]

fantastic! Glad it was helpful!

[@noobeustimes]

It's ok I guess. To confusing for some people to grasp. K.I.S.S. is the best method to explain. Just did to my wife in under 10 minutes on paper. Even had time to teach her strategies to cause errors. Keep up the good work. try to dumb it down for harder to follow folks. Some take forever to learn to call score right. Imagine trying to get them to comprehend this. lol. Is very informative though. Only reason I said something. I'm trying to put together so videos to share with my older group. Still believe we can teach old dogs new tricks. Me being one of them.

[@lauravandien2363]

As a beginner, these terms were always a little confusing. Your video straightened out the terms, and when I get to put them to use, I’m sure they will be clearer.🤔

[@thatpickleballguy]

Fantastic! Glad it helped!

[@Bergarita]

I tried stacking for the first time today in rec ball. Had no problems with the serving side of the stacking, it was the returning side of the stacking that got me and my partner confused. But after a while, we just stuck to the "you have an odd score? stack!" Thanks for confirming.

[@LacuzziJ]

Whos score has to be odd for me and my partner to stack as receiver? Does my team or the opponent have to be at an odd score for us to stack at receive?

[@Bergarita]

@@LacuzziJ Just remember if your team's score is odd, whether serving or returning, you would stack.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful! Keep working at it!

[@MichelleH45]

⁠@@LacuzziJ- I’m not sure what you’re asking. You can stack if you are the serving team or if you are the returning team. It’s a decision your team makes about how you’re going to play. You can do it on serve only or on return only or on serve and return.

[@sayhitobobby]

Oh my gosh! 😵 Tyler!!! 😘😍🥰❤️🫵🏻🔥

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yep!

[@iked2638]

I’m confused when Tyler slid over to your side at 5-0-2, he was serving on the right side(stacking). But, according to what you said in the beginning, even scores always serve from the right side, odd serve from the left. Why is Tyler serving from the right side if score is 5?! 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ChristopherSoriano-yu1lp]

Kyle was server 1 at 4-0-1 and lost the point. So, Tyler being server 2 would now be on the left side with 4-0-2 and won the point. So, he now serves from the right side 5-0-2 since they had won the point.

[@11chesson]

Great video. One question: What is the penalty when you are in the wrong position on a serve?

[@thatpickleballguy]

There wouldn't be a serve as you can't serve from the wrong position!

[@elspethpeterson2104]

Great video explaining stacking! However, I am getting tripped up on the return stacking scenarios. If you are stacking exclusively to stay on a preferred side, why wouldn’t you just stay on your preferred side the whole time you are on the returning team? For example, if my preferred side is the left, why would I ever need to return on the right side? Am I missing something?

[@thatpickleballguy]

this is a great question!! And was very difficult for me to understand at first too. I'll do my best here: Let's say you were the 2nd server, you were serving from the left, you win the point, and now you move over to the right box to serve. Now, let's say you lose that point. And now it's side out and the other team takes over the serve. Because you finished your teams 2 serves with you on the right side, you now have to return from that side. You can't just switch back to the other side. And because you prefer the left side, after you hit your return, you'll run over there to that left side. Does that make more sense? Hit me with any follow up questions you have!

[@elspethpeterson2104]

@@thatpickleballguy Ok, so I think I understand now. Just to be clear about the scenario you gave…. I am a 2 serving from the right side and shifting to the left side via stacking. If my team loses the point, I have to return the opponent’s serve on the right side from where I last served. Correct?

[@ibobpeb4]

I'm still confused about the points and who is serving. LOL Can you make a video about stacking and understanding your points, who goes where? Thank you so kindly!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Which part are you confused about? This is definitely a tricky topic that took me awhile to figure out.

[@JeffLandauer]

If you're unwinding the stack and return down the line, then the opponent can hit an angled drive to you which might be harder to get. If you return cross court, then the worst they can do is drive down the line. I guess it depends on how good their cross court angled drive is. It's a harder shot to make, so maybe force them to make it once before worrying too much.

[@thatpickleballguy]

For sure! A lot of nuance to this!

[@henry0712]

Very enlightening video, but what advantage would you gain by stacking on the return? Would it be that the player likes playing the left court, but prefers returning from the right court? Thanks!

[@billinhouston3291]

The correct player has to receive the ball, and then they can move to their preferred position.

[@henry0712]

@@billinhouston3291 How to determine which player is the correct player to receive the ball?

[@billinhouston3291]

@@henry0712 That's what he was explaining near the beginning, with the odd and even scores. If I start on the right, I have to receive on the right any time my score is even.

[@henry0712]

@@billinhouston3291 Thanks!

[@thatpickleballguy]

yes!

[@zenpanda100]

So basically a variant of the i formation principle from tennis

[@Simplentertainments]

I’m partnering with a leftie for my first tournament and I think I’ll try stacking in training to see how it is. Question: how do you stack as the receiving team?

[@MichelleH45]

He starts talking about this around 8:45

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes. Stacking as the receiving team is often the most complicated part. Took me a long time to make it a habit. But watch that part of the video and you'll start to get the hang of it.

[@Simplentertainments]

I did watch it and I’m going to work with my partner on it. Thank you for a very informative video!

[@kcammett]

Loved this video but have a question. It appeared to me that there were two times, when you didn't follow the two-bounce rule... Am I missing something ?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Hi! Which part are you referencing. I can clarify. Good chance the editing just made it look like that

[@kcammett]

Oh, I didn't think to note the time. I tried to quickly find both and found just one. The serve starts about 10:53. I hadn't thought about the editing - good point. One last thing in the middle of the video you talk about a link to 18 Advanced Tips... I don't see where that anywhere. Thank you !

[@dillontucker5297]

To know what side to be on, you don't add the scores of both teams right? just your teams even or odd number right

[@KalbiKing]

Yeah as they score, you're either moving up or back, but never across.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Correct!

[@kbotelho27]

Reason #7, you get more practice hitting shots from your preferred side 😊

[@thatpickleballguy]

Nice!

[@Simplentertainments]

Can you decide to stack or unstack mid game? Lets say 2-0 you’re not stacking but then 7-0 you decide to stack or something like that?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes you can!

[@pakaymc]

Can you do a video on "Grunting is annoying"

[@thatpickleballguy]

hahah! Grunting can actually help you exert more power. Of course, some people take it too far :)

[@scottfrancis13]

So why does someone on receiving side determine when to switch or not?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Will have discussed with their partner their preferred side. Or want to change it up. Or throw off their opponents

[@scottfrancis13]

Did you respond or like it

[@feelingcrafty]

OK, so dumb question: When you say "starting position" do you mean at the beginning of the game or the point that's being played? So confusing!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Not dumb. Good question. "Starting position" is the side you start on the first point at the beginning of the game.

[@brandonvanreyn9202]

Are you able to just stack when serving ?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes!. It's called "half stack"

[@brandonvanreyn9202]

Could you do a video of stacking but when you get a side out. I get confused who should be the 1st server after a side out when stacking thanks! Love the content man so helpful on improving my game in every aspect !

[@avinashkona2349]

Forehand strong which side better?

[@thatpickleballguy]

left

[@avinashkona2349]

@@thatpickleballguy Thank you😊👍

[@incredable6211]

I screwed up my question, sorry. When your score is odd and you are receiving, explaining that would be helpful. Thanks

[@thatpickleballguy]

When it's odd and you're receiving. You should be standing on the opposite side from which you started the game! This is a bit confusing. It definitely takes time to understand and get quickly!

[@MattBruce-mi8ic]

Be quick but don’t hurry - John Wick 😂

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes! Love the quote!

[@kbotelho27]

Err, John Wooden.....

[@lowbudgetcomicsthings7068]

I tried it and we got confused who was supposed to serve throughout the game when getting the serve back

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes, that's the most confusing part. Make sure to watch the part in the video about your score being Even vs. Odd. That's the best way I know to remember where to stand when you get confused! OVerall, it will still take some time. This isn't the most simple concept!

[@jordanstallard440]

Oh interesting, my wife is a lefty & I'm a righty......hmmmmm

[@thatpickleballguy]

Give it a shot!!

[@EK-gf7yu]

I don’t see where I can sign up for the videos and you send them to my email??😊

[@terryblansett9325]

No benefit to this except to make opponets think you are soooo good if there was benefit the pros would do it all the time. Iys like I formation in Tennis u see it every once in a while. I say all show no go!

[@thatpickleballguy]

97% of pro teams do this in every match.