Left Side or Right Side in Padel: Which Should You Play?
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Padel tactics · Positioning · Which side to play · Updated June 2026
In padel, the right side is traditionally the more defensive side and the left side is more attacking — but this is a starting point, not a rule. Most right-handed players are more comfortable on the right, and most left-handed players prefer the left. What actually determines which side you should play is a combination of your dominant hand, your strongest shots, your partner’s game, and the tactical role you naturally fill in doubles. There is no universal answer, but there is a clear framework for working it out.
The basics: what each side actually demands
Right side (drive side)
- Most balls come to your forehand in the middle of the court
- Serves from the right-hand service box
- Responsible for most volleys in the centre at the net
- The back-glass retrieval is typically a backhand
- Traditionally more defensive, controls the pace of play
- Usually played by the more technically consistent player
Left side (revés side)
- Most balls come to your backhand in the middle of the court
- Serves from the left-hand service box
- Responsible for smashes and overhead aggression
- The back-glass retrieval is typically a forehand
- Traditionally more attacking, generates winners
- Usually played by the more powerful or tactical player
These are generalisations that hold at beginner and intermediate level. At advanced level the distinction blurs considerably — both sides attack and defend, and the best partnerships are fluid rather than locked into roles.
Why handedness matters — but isn’t the whole story
For right-handed players: the right side puts your forehand in the centre of the court where most balls go. The left side means your backhand handles the central zone. For most players this makes the right side feel more natural at first.
For left-handed players: the dynamic reverses. Playing left side puts your forehand — typically your stronger shot — into the central zone. This is why many left-handed players are highly effective on the left side and why partnerships mixing a right-hander and left-hander can be tactically powerful: both players have their forehand in the middle simultaneously.
The classic example from professional padel: Agustín Tapia (left-handed) plays the left side, Arturo Coello (right-handed) plays the right. Both have their forehand pointing toward the centre of the court. This creates a formidable middle coverage that is very difficult to split.
Right side: who suits it
The right side tends to suit players who:
- Have a strong, consistent forehand volley
- Are comfortable serving from the right box and directing play
- Prefer to control tempo rather than attack aggressively
- Have a reliable backhand for back-glass retrievals
- Are good at reading the game and organising the partnership
- Tend to be the more experienced or technically complete player in the pair
The right side at net controls the central zone — the space between both players where most points are decided. Consistent volleying ability in that zone is the most important single quality for a right-side player.
Left side: who suits it
The left side tends to suit players who:
- Have a powerful smash or aggressive overhead
- Are comfortable attacking the back glass from the left corner
- Prefer generating winners to grinding points out
- Have a strong backhand that handles cross-court balls
- Are left-handed (forehand naturally covers the centre)
- Like to create pressure through shot selection rather than positioning
The left side at net takes more of the overhead smash opportunities. Most bandeja and vibora shots come from the left side, and being comfortable under pressure in that position is key.
The partnership matters more than the individual
This is the thing most guides miss. The right question is not “which side suits me?” but “which side combination works best for us?” A pair where both players want to play the right side — both preferring the defensive, controlling role — will struggle to generate pressure. A pair where both want the left will leave the central zone uncontrolled.
The most effective partnerships have a clear division:
- One player who controls and organises (typically right side)
- One player who attacks and finishes (typically left side)
- Both players comfortable covering the other when positions switch during a rally
If you and your regular partner are both right-handed and neither has a clear preference, the more consistent player usually takes the right and the more aggressive player takes the left. Try it for a session and see how it feels — most partnerships find a natural fit quickly.
Does it matter at beginner level?
Less than you think. In the first six months of playing, the priority is keeping the ball in play, understanding wall rebounds, and learning to move as a unit. Worrying about which side is “correct” is premature — play whichever side lets you rally more comfortably and build from there.
From intermediate level upward, side selection starts to matter more. The positions create different shot patterns, and playing your natural side consistently lets you develop the specific skills each position demands rather than being competent but not specialised on either.
Can you switch sides?
Yes, and good partnerships do switch deliberately during a match — typically to exploit a weakness in the opponents or to change the pattern of a point. However, switching mid-rally without communication is one of the most common causes of unforced errors at club level. The cardinal rule: if you switch, both players need to know it is happening. A call of “switch” before the ball is returned prevents the collision and confusion that costs points.
Some partnerships also switch sides permanently between sets if the first-set combination is not working. This is entirely valid and worth trying if one player is clearly struggling in their starting position.
Left side and right side at professional level
| Player | Side | Hand | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agustín Tapia | Left | Left-handed | Forehand covers centre, devastating smash from left corner |
| Arturo Coello | Right | Right-handed | Explosive forehand volley in centre, controls tempo |
| Gemma Triay | Left | Right-handed | Exceptional backhand, tactical aggression from left side |
| Delfina Brea | Right | Right-handed | Smooth control and consistency, organises the pair |
| Alejandro Galán | Left | Right-handed | Powerful attacking game, backhand drive from left |
| Federico Chingotto | Right | Right-handed | Exceptional reflexes, reads the game, controls centre |
Note that Triay and Galán both play the left side as right-handers — proof that handedness does not determine side at elite level. Both have developed left-side skills to a level that makes their backhand in the centre an asset rather than a liability.
A simple test for finding your side
- Play a full set on the right side. Note how comfortable you feel with your forehand volley in the central zone and your backhand off the back glass.
- Play a full set on the left side. Note how comfortable you feel with your overhead smash and your forehand off the back-left glass.
- Ask your partner which combination felt more natural for the pair overall — not just for you individually.
- Try the combination that felt better for two or three sessions before switching again.
Most players find their side within a few sessions of deliberate experimentation. The important thing is to commit to a side for long enough to build the position-specific skills it demands rather than switching every game.
Play your side, look the part.
Corcuera padel clothing is built for the court — whether you’re controlling from the right or attacking from the left.
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FAQs: left side or right side in padel
+Which side should I play in padel?
It depends on your dominant hand, your strongest shots and your partner’s game. Right-handed players typically start on the right side, where the forehand covers the central zone. Left-handed players often suit the left side for the same reason. The more consistent player in a pair usually takes the right; the more attacking player typically takes the left. Try both sides and let the partnership decide what works.
+Is the left side harder in padel?
The left side has different demands, not necessarily harder ones. It requires a strong overhead smash, comfort attacking from the back-left glass, and the ability to generate winners rather than simply controlling play. For right-handed players the central zone involves more backhand, which some find harder than the forehand-dominated right side. Whether it feels harder depends entirely on your shot strengths.
+Do left-handed players play on the left in padel?
Often yes, and for a good tactical reason: playing left side as a left-hander puts your forehand in the central zone of the court, which is where most balls go. This makes you naturally stronger in the most contested area. It also creates a powerful combination with a right-handed partner, since both players have their forehand pointing inward simultaneously.
+Can you switch sides during a padel match?
Yes. Good partnerships switch deliberately to change patterns or exploit opponent weaknesses. The key rule is communication — both players must know the switch is happening before the ball is returned. Calling “switch” during the point prevents the confusion that causes unforced errors. Some pairs also switch sides permanently between sets if their starting combination is not working.
+What side does Tapia play in padel?
Agustín Tapia plays the left side. He is left-handed, which means his forehand naturally covers the central zone of the court from that position. His overhead smash and attacking ability from the left corner are key parts of the Tapia-Coello world No. 1 partnership.
+Is the right side easier for beginners in padel?
Generally yes. The right side puts a right-handed player’s forehand — usually their stronger shot — into the central zone where most balls go. The back-glass retrieval is a backhand, which takes time to develop, but the overall shot pattern tends to feel more natural to beginners than the left side’s backhand-dominated central coverage.