lefty player, i really don't like stacking and think it's not meant for left/right handed teams. When the forehands are in the middle that also means you're stuck with backhand only cross court dinks, so there's a big trade off there. Also with forehands in the middle, you create a power struggle between the two players over who takes more of the court. Which kind of defeats the point of stacking if you don't have a dominant side player.
When I get asked to stack with a new partner I just say...tell me why and I'll do it. Yes my forehand drive is better, but I value being able to rock n roll on both sides. My middle block backhand is almost better than my forehand. But I'll stack if my partner feels the need to protect themselves. Sometimes when I see a stack coming I laugh...you have another variable at play and feel like they are overthinking it. I'll just play the same and do just as well. Right side I feel like I'm looking to end with backhand middle and then Left side I'm the aggressor trying to get forehand Erne or setting up my partner with aggressive middle dinks.
I know that things trend towards not stacking. But I think stacking is actually super beneficial for intermediate level players. Often times, at intermediate players (especially in mixed doubles), stacking allows the male player to use a dominant forehand to help control the middle of the court. A power forehand is a big advantage at intermediate levels. Maybe not so much at advanced levels, where female players are really used to dealing with pace/speed. I also find that half stack is a lot easier to implement, where you're only doing it when you're on serving side. Stacking on defense is hard to implement if you're not used to "unwinding" properly. In more competitive play, it feels like when my partner (female) and I have stacked, it helps earn us at least 1-2 more points per game. This feels like it's definitely worth it. Now in casual rec play, it feels like it makes a lot more sense to NOT stack because it gives both players a chance to practice on both sides of the net. Overall, however, I'm a big proponent of stacking to accentuate the strength of a big forehand in the middle.
Been playing my whole "career" on both sides, led to developing a decent well-rounded game, I had no choice, no one in my town understands or can really execute stacking strategies effectively! 😅
For me personally, it’s more grip position on my one-handed backhand counter than it is grip pressure. My pressure is probably a 3-5, but more importantly, I like to hold eastern backhand. (Spencer)
So, there is eastern forehand and eastern backhand. During a backhand counter, I typically like to hold eastern backhand. If you are uncomfortable with switching grips or don’t want to bother doing it, I would suggest just holding Continental for everything, fore hand and back hand.
Absolutely 💯… I see so many people stacking, that should not be at all. That being said, like you guys explained, it’s definitely beneficial for certain styles and situations. Great pod as always!
If the left handed player is on the left side and the right handed player is on the right, the weakness is in the middle. All they have to is hitting the ball hard down to the middle of the court and win the point.
In most cases, yes. Austin’s case is more rare in that he prefers his two handed backhand cover in the middle. There are other players that prefer this as well. The vast majority though, is better off with forehand in the middle.
lefty player, i really don't like stacking and think it's not meant for left/right handed teams. When the forehands are in the middle that also means you're stuck with backhand only cross court dinks, so there's a big trade off there. Also with forehands in the middle, you create a power struggle between the two players over who takes more of the court. Which kind of defeats the point of stacking if you don't have a dominant side player.
All valid points👍
When I get asked to stack with a new partner I just say...tell me why and I'll do it. Yes my forehand drive is better, but I value being able to rock n roll on both sides. My middle block backhand is almost better than my forehand. But I'll stack if my partner feels the need to protect themselves. Sometimes when I see a stack coming I laugh...you have another variable at play and feel like they are overthinking it. I'll just play the same and do just as well. Right side I feel like I'm looking to end with backhand middle and then Left side I'm the aggressor trying to get forehand Erne or setting up my partner with aggressive middle dinks.
Great strategy! Thanks for sharing
I know that things trend towards not stacking. But I think stacking is actually super beneficial for intermediate level players. Often times, at intermediate players (especially in mixed doubles), stacking allows the male player to use a dominant forehand to help control the middle of the court. A power forehand is a big advantage at intermediate levels. Maybe not so much at advanced levels, where female players are really used to dealing with pace/speed.
I also find that half stack is a lot easier to implement, where you're only doing it when you're on serving side. Stacking on defense is hard to implement if you're not used to "unwinding" properly.
In more competitive play, it feels like when my partner (female) and I have stacked, it helps earn us at least 1-2 more points per game. This feels like it's definitely worth it.
Now in casual rec play, it feels like it makes a lot more sense to NOT stack because it gives both players a chance to practice on both sides of the net. Overall, however, I'm a big proponent of stacking to accentuate the strength of a big forehand in the middle.
All good points. Thanks for sharing
Been playing my whole "career" on both sides, led to developing a decent well-rounded game, I had no choice, no one in my town understands or can really execute stacking strategies effectively! 😅
You won’t regret playing both sides well! Thanks for sharing!
I think the mix is better. you have to learn how to play both sides well, if you dont do that regularly, it will be a weakness down the line. STS.
💯 Playing both sides well is a huge advantage
Did u hold your paddle tighter on a one handed bh counter? I feel like my counter isn’t that good due to wrist lag
For me personally, it’s more grip position on my one-handed backhand counter than it is grip pressure. My pressure is probably a 3-5, but more importantly, I like to hold eastern backhand. (Spencer)
Is eastern backhand different than normal eastern? Is it like a more extreme continental?
So, there is eastern forehand and eastern backhand. During a backhand counter, I typically like to hold eastern backhand. If you are uncomfortable with switching grips or don’t want to bother doing it, I would suggest just holding Continental for everything, fore hand and back hand.
Absolutely 💯… I see so many people stacking, that should not be at all. That being said, like you guys explained, it’s definitely beneficial for certain styles and situations. Great pod as always!
So true! Hard to get in a rhythm against an opponent if they’re constantly switching instead of stacking
If the left handed player is on the left side and the right handed player is on the right, the weakness is in the middle. All they have to is hitting the ball hard down to the middle of the court and win the point.
In most cases, yes. Austin’s case is more rare in that he prefers his two handed backhand cover in the middle. There are other players that prefer this as well. The vast majority though, is better off with forehand in the middle.
Water under the bridge LOL
lol 😂😉