Photo Credits: PPA Tour
Mixed doubles is decided by who owns the middle. Stacking—starting on the same side to switch into preferred roles—puts your best paddle on that seam from ball one without hurting chemistry or coverage. With a lower center net and shorter rallies, early middle control turns neutral balls into pressure. This guide breaks down what stacking is, when to use it, and when to skip it—so you can master the switch, feed your best paddle the early neutral, and tilt tight points your way.
What is “Stacking” and Why it Works
In doubles, stacking is when both partners start a point on the same side so they can “switch” into their preferred sides as the rally begins. Teams use it to keep a forehand in the middle or to feature a designated aggressor there more often.
Aside from the server’s required spot and the correct receiver, partners may stand anywhere on their own half—even off the court. You can switch after the serve/return is struck, provided the correct server serves and the correct receiver receives. Wrong-position or wrong-player contact is a fault.
Two simple facts drive stacking. First, the net is lower in the middle—about thirty-four inches at center versus thirty-six near the posts—so middle balls are slightly easier to attack and counter. Second, rallies at the upper levels trend shorter than they did a few seasons ago, which rewards teams that seize the center early and create pressure within the first exchanges
How to Run a Smooth Switch
On the serve
- Server starts in the required box; partner starts on the same side (stacked).
- Serve, then both glide to final sides—forehand guarding the middle.
- If the return comes hot, defend first; finish the switch on the next neutral ball.
On the return
- Receiver stands in the correct box; partner starts same side (stacked).
- Hit a deep, middle-safe return; both rotate to final sides as the ball travels.
- Meet at the kitchen with two paddle-widths of spacing; forehand owns the first middle ball unless called off early and loud.
Photo Credits to: PickleLand
Green Lights to Stack
You want your forehand in the middle.
- Middle contacts are high-percentage, and many teams prefer to funnel them to a stronger forehand. Stacking puts a right-handed player on the left (or a lefty on the right) so that the dominant side owns seam and middle balls.
You’re a righty-lefty pair.
- Two forehands facing the center shrink the seam, extend poach range, and make speed-ups through the middle more dangerous.
Your team has a designated aggressor.
- Mixed pairs often assign one player to be the primary initiator while the partner locks down resets and dinks. Stacking frees the aggressor to take more of the middle without leaving gaps behind.
You’re chasing shorter points.
- If your game plan is to create quick pressure—deep serve, heavy third-shot roll, then a speed-up off a pop—stacking improves the odds that your best finisher meets the first neutral or attackable ball.
You’re tailoring to matchups.
- If opponents struggle with body-line balls or seam confusion, stacking lets you steer more traffic into that channel and poach earlier.
Photo Credits: Pickleball Paddles
When to Rethink It
Communication isn’t crisp yet.
- Signals, footwork, and who takes the first ball must be automatic. Position errors or late switches turn free points into gifts.
Serve or return consistency dips.
- At higher levels, serves and returns are nearly automatic. If stacking causes rushed feet or cheap misses on these two shots, simplify until consistency returns.
You’re overvaluing first-serve advantage.
- In games to eleven, the edge from serving first is marginal. Prioritize the better side for your patterns more than the coin-flip of opening serve.
Keep the middle simple and calm: stack when it naturally puts your best shot in the center, use a couple of clear cues, and note four basics—serve-in, return-in, first middle ball, and poach results. If the switch feels rushed, pause and reset.
Across growing pickleball communities in Asia—from quiet morning runs in Manila to weekend mixers in Bangkok—pairs that communicate steadily and share the middle with intention find a smooth rhythm. Stacking isn’t a rule; it’s a tool. Use it when it helps, set it aside when it doesn’t, and let good habits do the work.
