Padel is a doubles game, and doubles means picking a side. It is one of the first proper decisions a developing pair makes, and getting it right can lift both of you without anyone changing a single stroke. Yet plenty of players just stand wherever they happen to be and never think about it.
Here is what each side actually involves and how to work out which one is yours.
The two sides
Looking at the court from behind your own baseline, there is a right side and a left side, split by the centre line. During a game these line up with the deuce court on the right and the advantage court on the left, the same as tennis.
They are not mirror images in terms of the job. Each side has a personality, and the players who suit them are usually different.
The right side: the steady one
The right side player, in the deuce court, is typically the more consistent of the pair. This is the person who keeps the ball in play, rarely gives away cheap errors, and holds the point together while pressure builds.
A big part of the right side role is covering the middle with the backhand. When a ball comes down the centre of the court, it is usually the right side player's backhand that takes it, so a reliable backhand helps. You are the anchor. You will not always hit the winner, but you set up the chance for your partner to.
If you are naturally patient, hate giving away silly points, and prefer building a rally to gambling on it, the right side probably suits you.
The left side: the finisher
The left side player, in the advantage court, is generally the attacker. This is the forehand side for a right hander, so the big smashes and the aggressive shots down the middle tend to fall to them. When a high ball sits up in the centre, the left side player often steps across to put it away with their forehand.
The left side takes more of the attacking shots and, with that, more of the risk. You need a bit of confidence and a willingness to go for the winner when it appears, along with the nerve to shrug off the ones that miss. In most pairs, the left side player is the one who ends the points.
If you have the bigger smash, back yourself to finish, and do not mind carrying a little more responsibility for closing out rallies, the left is likely your home.
How to decide
A few honest questions usually settle it. Who has the more reliable backhand down the middle? That player leans right. Who has the stronger, more confident forehand and smash? That player leans left. Who is calmer under pressure and who prefers to go for it?
There is no rule that you must stay put forever. Some strong pairs switch sides depending on the opposition or even mid match to change the rhythm. But for most club players, picking a settled side and learning its patterns beats constantly swapping. If you want to sharpen the role you land in, our two player drills include plenty of side specific work, and a coach can watch you both and give a second opinion. You will find local ones on our coaches page.
Left-handers change the picture
A left handed player flips things. Their forehand is on the other wing, so a leftie often plays best on the right side, where their forehand covers the middle instead of their backhand.
The dream pairing is a right hander on the left and a left hander on the right. Both players then have their forehand in the centre, which means the strongest shots meet every ball that comes down the middle. If one of you is left handed, experiment with this setup before assuming the standard arrangement.
Communication
Whichever sides you choose, the pair only works if you talk. Call the middle balls early so you are not both leaving them or both going for them. Agree who takes the lob that lands between you. Keep talking between points about what is working. Two decent players who communicate will usually beat two better players who do not.
Positioning underpins all of this, and if your movement as a pair is loose, it will undo any side you pick. Our guide to padel positioning mistakes is worth a read alongside this one. And if you are still finding regular partners, the clubs on our venues page run mix in sessions where you can try both sides.
FAQ
Can I just play whichever side I fancy?
You can, but you will improve faster by settling on the side that suits your game. Learning the patterns of one side, then repeating them, builds real understanding with your partner.
Which side is harder?
Neither is harder overall, they are just different. The left side carries more attacking pressure and risk, while the right side demands consistency and a steady backhand down the middle.
Where should two right handers play?
Put the steadier player with the better backhand on the right, and the bigger hitter with the stronger forehand and smash on the left. Then talk constantly about the middle balls.