One of the first things that surprises people who move up from a knockabout to proper padel doubles is that the two players in a pair are not doing the same job. Each player takes a side of the court and, crucially, tends to stay on it. The right side and the left side call for different shots, different temperaments and different strengths. Working out which one fits you is one of the quiet keys to enjoying the game more and winning more.
The right side: the steady one who builds the point
The right side, which is the right-hand half of the court as you look at the net, is traditionally home to the more consistent, patient player. Their job is to keep the ball in play, build the rally, and set things up for their partner to finish. They usually play more balls than the left-side player, partly because a lot of opponents deliberately target the steadier player to try and force an error.
The defining shot of the right side is the backhand played from the middle of the court. When a ball comes down the centre between the two players, on the right side that ball falls to your backhand, so a reliable backhand is close to essential over there. Right-side players tend to be the anchor of the pair. They do not need to be the one hitting winners, they need to be the one who never gives the point away cheaply and who patiently works the pair into a position to attack. If you are calm, consistent and happy to play the percentages rather than go for glory, the right side is very likely your home.
The left side: the finisher who ends the point
The left side, the left-hand half of the court, is where the finisher lives. This is the player often called the killer, the one whose job is to put the ball away when the chance comes. They are usually the bigger hitter of the pair, the one who takes on the overhead smash and tries to end rallies rather than just extend them.
The reason the roles split this way comes down to which shots you get. When a ball comes down the middle, on the left side of the court that central ball naturally falls to your forehand, which for most players is the stronger, more attacking wing. So the left-side player ends up hitting more forehands from the middle, and forehands are generally where the power and the winners come from. This is also why the left side is the classic home for a left-hander. A leftie playing on the left gets their forehand on all those middle balls, which is a real weapon.
Left-side players need a bit of a temperament to match. You have to be willing to go for the finish, to take responsibility for closing points out, and to accept that you will miss some when you back yourself. If you love your smash, you fancy yourself as the one who ends rallies, and you would rather go for it than nudge the ball back, the left is calling you.
How to work out which suits you
Start with a few honest questions. Which is your stronger wing, forehand or backhand? A strong forehand and a taste for attacking leans left. A dependable backhand and a patient head leans right. Are you a left-hander? If so, the left side is well worth trying first, because it puts your forehand on the middle balls. Do you enjoy building points or finishing them? Setter instincts point right, finisher instincts point left.
Temperament matters as much as technique. Some players are simply calmer under pressure and happier grinding out a long rally, and those players thrive on the right even if they have a decent smash. Others get restless in a long rally and light up when they get a ball to attack, and those players belong on the left. Neither is better, they just win points in different ways, and a good pair balances one of each.
Beginners: try both first
All of that said, if you are new to the game, do not pigeonhole yourself yet. The best thing a beginner can do is play both sides for a good while. You will develop a more complete game, you will understand what your partner is dealing with over on their side, and you will avoid the trap of having a glaring weakness because you only ever hit forehands or only ever hit backhands. Plenty of players think they are a natural left-sider, try the right for a few weeks, and find they actually prefer building points to smashing them.
Once you have played enough, your natural side usually becomes obvious, both to you and to whoever you play with. When it does, leaning into that role and building a partnership around it is one of the most satisfying steps up you can take in padel.