Stacking basics

Setup

1. Two pairs on one court. Each pair decides who wants the left side and who wants the right, for example to keep a strong forehand in the middle or a left-hander on the left.
2. Start with a walk-through: no ball, just call the score aloud and move into position for each serve and return.

How it runs

1. Serving stack: the server serves from the correct court for the score. If that is their partner's preferred side, the partner stands beside them on the same half, and after the serve the server crosses behind the baseline to the other side.
2. Receiving stack: the correct player returns from the correct court. If the returner prefers the other side, their partner waits at the kitchen line on the returner's half, and the returner moves forward to the open side after the return.
3. Play games to 11 with traditional side-out scoring. Before every serve, check aloud: right server, right court, right receiver.
4. If a pair loses track, stop and work it out from the score and who started the game in the right-hand court.

Coaching points

• Stacking is legal as long as the correct player serves and the correct player receives. Where the partner stands is up to the pair.
• In traditional side-out scoring, the player who started the game in the right-hand court is on the right whenever their team's score is even. Use that to check positions.
• The serving team has time to switch: the return must bounce before they can play it.
• Call 'Switch' and cross behind your partner, not in front, so nobody collides.
• Rally scoring and some events handle positions and serving order differently, so check your competition's rules.

Common mistakes

• Serving from the preferred side instead of the correct court for the score.
• The wrong partner receiving because the stacked player stood in the receiving court.
• Switching too slowly and leaving half the court empty for the return or third shot.