Which Side Should You Play?
One of the most common questions in doubles padel is:
Should I play left side or right side?
The answer depends on your skills, your partner, and your level.
Here’s a clear, practical breakdown to help you decide.
1. What It Is
In padel doubles:
One player plays the left side
One player plays the right side
Each side has slightly different responsibilities.
General Roles (Both Right-Handed Pair)
Left Side Player
More aggressive
Finishes more points
Covers more middle balls
Often hits more smashes and viboras
Right Side Player
More consistent
Builds the point
Controls tempo
Sets up the left player to finish
Important: These are general patterns, not strict rules.
2. When to Decide Your Side
You should NOT rush to choose a side.
If you are new:
Play both sides.
Learn the responsibilities of each.
Understand how points are built.
Choose a side only when:
You understand positioning.
You can defend properly.
You know how to attack from net.
You’ve experienced both roles.
Don’t copy professional players too early. Build your own understanding first.
3. Who Should Play Each Side?
Beginners
Play both sides regularly.
Rotate every set.
Learn to defend and attack from both angles.
Do not label yourself too early.
Intermediate Players
Start identifying your strengths.
You may prefer the LEFT if you:
Like finishing points
Move quickly
Enjoy being aggressive
Feel confident smashing
React well in the middle
You may prefer the RIGHT if you:
Are consistent
Like building rallies
Lob well
Stay calm under pressure
Make fewer unforced errors
Advanced Players
At higher levels:
Roles become more defined.
Strategy matters more.
Your diagonal matchup becomes important.
If both players are right-handed:
The left usually takes more middle balls.
The right controls rhythm.
If one player is left-handed:
The left-hander should usually play the right side.
This puts both forehands in the middle.
It creates stronger attacking coverage.
That’s a major advantage.
4. Step-by-Step: How to Choose Your Side
Step 1: Play Both Sides for Several Matches
Don’t guess.
Play:
A full match on left.
A full match on right.
Notice:
Where you feel more natural.
Where you make fewer errors.
Where you feel more confident at net.
Step 2: Analyze Your Strengths
Ask yourself:
Do I finish points well?
Or do I construct points well?
Am I faster and explosive?
Or steady and patient?
Is my smash reliable?
Is my lob reliable?
Be honest.
Step 3: Consider Your Partner
Padel is a team sport.
The best combination is often:
One aggressive finisher
One stable builder
If both of you want to attack:
You may clash.
Or you must learn to share responsibilities.
If both of you are passive:
You’ll struggle to close points.
Balance wins matches.
Step 4: Test It in Competition
Once you choose a side:
Stick with it for several matches.
Develop specific skills for that role.
Adjust if necessary.
Side selection should improve your team, not your ego.
5. Common Mistakes
Choosing a side after 3 sessions
Copying professional players blindly
Refusing to try the other side
Saying “I’m only a backhand player”
Not considering your partner’s strengths
Ignoring the advantage of left/right-handed combinations
Big mistake:
Specializing too early before understanding the full game.
6. Simple Key Reminders
Beginners: play both sides.
Left side = generally more aggressive.
Right side = generally more consistent.
Left-handers usually play right side.
Choose based on strengths, not ego.
The best pair is balanced.
Team chemistry matters more than labels.
At the end of the day:
The “best side” is the one that helps your pair win more points, not the one that sounds better.
Understand both roles first.
Then specialize.
That’s how you choose correctly.
