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Stacking

Strategy & TacticsLevel 2 — Intermediate

What It Is

A doubles positioning strategy where both players arrange themselves to keep their strongest sides (usually forehands) in the middle of the court. Particularly important for left-right hand combinations, where stacking puts both forehands toward the middle.

Correct Execution

Instead of the traditional rotation (each player on their "correct" side based on score), both players shift to put their preferred side in the middle. For a left-right combo: the lefty plays the left side, righty plays the right, so both forehands cover the critical middle. Partners need to communicate and be comfortable with the non-traditional positioning. The non-stacking partner may face more balls on a side that gets heavy traffic.

Progression Levels

Diagnostic Tree

Coaching Cues

  • "I realized I'm much better on that side with my forehand in the middle." — why stacking matters for lefties, Jay Ripple via Morgan Evans (2020)
  • "Stacking can sway the kind of game you want to play." — strategic use, Morgan Evans (2020)
  • "Pickleball is not designed to be played 50/50 — it depends on where the ball is." — Ben Johns via Colin Johns (2022)
  • "The center line is meaningless. Feel free to cross over — it's all your side or all your partner's side." — Ben Johns (2026)
  • "Anything to the left of partner's left shoulder is your ball — no deviation." — Colin Johns, platform tennis rule (2022)

Common Errors

  1. Not stacking with a left-right combo: Missing the biggest advantage → Stack to get both forehands in the middle
  2. Confusion on transitions: Lost on who goes where → Practice the movement patterns off-court
  3. Partner resentment: One partner gets more balls on their weak side → Address this in practice; it's a team investment

Edges

⚡ Conventional Wisdom Is Wrong

The Center Line Is Meaningless

strategystacking →

Ben Johns: "This line is pretty much imaginary. Feel free to cross over it." Most players treat the center line as a hard boundary — my side, your side. Elite teams ignore it entirely. The correct position is wherever produces the best court coverage, regardless of which "side" of the line it's on. Covering everything left of your partner's left shoulder is a concrete rule that works regardless of center line.

What most people do
Stay on "their side" of the center line, creating gaps when the ball moves to extreme positions.
What the best do
Follow the ball and each other — the string connecting you to the ball and your partner determines position, not the painted line.
Why it's an edge: Frees you from an arbitrary constraint that creates real defensive gaps. The center line was painted for serve rules, not for kitchen coverage.
How to exploit: In your next match, consciously cross the center line at least 3 times when the ball position warrants it. Notice how much better your coverage is when you follow the ball instead of the line.
Ben Johns, "10 Simple Rules to Win" (2026-03-02); Colin Johns, "YOU are playing pickleball WRONG" (2022-06-15)
💎 Elite-Only Behavior

70/30 Not 50/50

strategystacking →

Colin Johns: "Pickleball is not designed to be played 50/50. It depends on where the ball is." The Johns brothers play a deliberate 70/30 split — Ben covers 70% of the court (including middle with his forehand), Colin covers 30% (his line with a backhand). This isn't about skill difference — it's about having a SYSTEM where each person covers a defined zone without guessing. Anything left of the partner's left shoulder is your ball — no deviation.

What most people do
Try to split the court 50/50, leading to confusion on middle balls and both players guessing.
What the best do
One player covers dominant territory (including middle), the other covers their line. The split is defined, practiced, and non-negotiable.
Why it's an edge: Eliminates all guesswork from who takes what. The system makes both players better — the dominant player has free license to be aggressive, the support player becomes an impenetrable wall on their zone.
How to exploit: With your regular partner, agree on a 60/40 or 70/30 split. The stronger attacker takes the larger zone including middle. Practice for 3 sessions until the zones are automatic. Track how many "whose ball?" moments you eliminate.
Colin Johns, "YOU are playing pickleball WRONG" (2022-06-15)

Sources

  • Jay Ripple via Morgan Evans, "A Notoriously Left-handed Person" ep016 (2020-09-01) — left-handed stacking, partner compatibility
  • Morgan Evans, "Morgan's two-pronged approach" (2020-09-18) — stacking as a strategic tool
  • Colin Johns, "YOU are playing pickleball WRONG" (2022-06-15) — 70/30 coverage, center line is meaningless
  • Ben Johns, "10 Simple Rules to Win" (2026-03-02) — left-of-shoulder rule, center line meaningless