Picking a side in padel seems simple. It isn’t. The left-right split is one of the most structurally important decisions in the game — and most club players get it wrong, or treat it as interchangeable. It’s not.
This guide breaks down exactly what each side demands: the shots, the movement patterns, the tactical responsibilities, and the personality traits that separate a player who can play right from a player who owns the right.
Why Side Selection Matters More Than You Think
In padel, the court is divided into a right side (drive side) and a left side (backhand side for right-handers). At amateur level, players rotate freely or pick a side by habit. At competitive level (P3 and above), side specialisation is non-negotiable.
The reason comes down to geometry. The right-side player controls the central corridor — the most attacked lane in padel. The left-side player dominates the diagonal and owns the bandeja-vibora chain from the left wall. Each position requires a fundamentally different toolkit.
Playing the wrong side doesn’t just limit your shots — it limits your partner’s shots, breaks court coverage, and creates predictable gaps that any decent pair will exploit within three rallies.
📌 Not sure which side suits you yet? The Padel School’s breakdown of right side vs left side player profiles is worth reading before you commit — especially the note on left-handers.
The Right Side: The Engine Room
Core Tactical Role
The right-side player is the pair’s defensive anchor and transition manager. The majority of attacking balls — cross-court drives, low balls through the middle, fast returns — arrive on the right. This player needs to absorb pressure, redirect balls centrally, and initiate the attack without sacrificing net position.
Key Shots You Must Own on the Right
The drive down the line. The right-side player’s bread-and-butter. A flat, low ball down the right wall forces the opposing left-side player into a difficult backhand retrieve. If you can’t hit this shot with consistency under pressure, you will struggle on the right.
The cross-court volley into the T. When attacking from the net, the right-side player targets the central T or the opposing right player’s feet. This closes angles and forces weak lobs.
The defensive lob (globo). Under heavy pressure on the right, a high, deep lob — ideally landing within 50cm of the back glass — resets the point and buys time to recover. This must be reliable. A short lob on the right side is an invitation for a smash into the corner.
The bajada. When the ball comes off the right side glass at mid-height, the right-side player needs to attack it with a controlled downward stroke — not retrieve it defensively. This is the shot that separates P2 from P3 players on the right.
Movement & Positioning
The right-side player positions slightly more centrally than the left. Your default net position should cover the T — the geometric heart of most rallies. When your opponents are at the back, shade two steps toward the centre line to cut off cross-court volleys.
One critical rule: never leave the central corridor unguarded. The right side player who drifts wide to cover their line leaves a highway through the middle. Your partner cannot cover both the centre and the left simultaneously.
Personality Profile
Consistent, high-repetition ball-striker. Comfortable under pressure. Tactically reliable rather than flashy. The right side is not where you improvise — it’s where you execute.
The Left Side: The Weapon
Core Tactical Role
The left-side player is the pair’s attacking initiator. This player receives more forehand smashes, has cleaner angles for the vibora and bandeja off the left wall, and is positioned to finish points. At competitive level, the left side player is usually the more dominant striker of the two.
This doesn’t mean the left side player freelances. It means they are given more licence to attack — but only when the shot is on. Left-side aggression at the wrong moment (on a deep lob, under pressure, from low at the feet) is one of the most common errors in club padel.
Key Shots You Must Own on the Left
The bandeja. The defining shot of left-side play. Hit from an overhead position with a flat, open racket face, the bandeja controls the pace and keeps you at the net. A well-executed bandeja lands deep, kicks off the side glass, and pushes opponents to the corners. You need this shot working consistently under match pressure, not just in drills.
The vibora. The bandeja’s aggressive sibling. More topspin, more pace, sharper angle. The vibora is your finishing shot when the lob is short or the ball sits up. It targets the opponent’s body or the side wall/back glass junction (the rincón). Without a reliable vibora, left-side attacking play has no real threat.
The smash into the fence (por tres). When you get a weak, short lob in the middle of the court, the smash into the back fence is the point-finisher on the left. Timing, contact point slightly in front, and a downward trajectory into the side glass are the mechanics. Miss this and you’ve wasted an opportunity; execute it and the point is over.
The forehand volley cross-court. Closing short angles across court from the left side is a key weapon when the opposing pair is scrambling. Keep it low and aim for the right-side player’s feet, not the open space — open space gives them time to reset.
Movement & Positioning
The left-side player operates wider than the right. Your coverage priority is the left alley and the diagonal cross-court. When your opponent is hitting from the right back corner, shade toward the left — they will almost always go cross-court.
One rule that breaks down constantly at club level: do not follow your smash to the centre. After a bandeja or vibora, recover back to your left-side base position immediately. Drifting central leaves your line open for a quick down-the-line pass.
📌 Deep dive on left side mechanics: The Padel School’s dedicated left side player guide covers exactly why good left-side players like Galán and Stupaczeński dominate overheads — and how to study their movement patterns.
Personality Profile
Explosive, decisive, willing to take risks at the right moment. Strong overhead mechanics and good spatial awareness of angles. The left side rewards instinct — but disciplined instinct.
Right vs Left: Head-to-Head Breakdown
| Right Side | Left Side | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Defensive anchor | Attacking initiator |
| Key shot | Drive down the line | Bandeja / Vibora |
| Net position | Central, T-coverage | Left alley + diagonal |
| Under pressure | Deep lob to reset | Controlled bandeja |
| Finishing shot | Cross-court volley | Smash por tres / Vibora |
| Mindset | Consistent, reliable | Decisive, aggressive |
The Most Common Mistakes by Side
Right side players tend to over-cover their own line and leave the centre open. They also underuse the bajada — treating every ball off the glass as a retrieval rather than an opportunity to attack.
Left side players most commonly mistiming the vibora — going for pace when the lob is deep and they’re off balance. The result is a net error or a sitter that gifts the opponents a smash. If the lob is above shoulder height and you’re behind the service line, bandeja. Always.
Both sides make the same meta-mistake: switching sides mid-match based on comfort rather than tactical need. Unless there’s a structural reason (exploiting an opponent’s weakness, recovering from a run of errors), stay on your side and fix the problem, don’t run from it.
How to Know Which Side Is Yours
Ask yourself three questions:
1. Which overhead is stronger — your backhand or your forehand? Right-handers with a dominant forehand smash typically thrive on the left. Players with a reliable backhand overhead can hold the right.
2. How do you perform under sustained pressure? If you stay calm and execute, the right suits you. If you need rhythm and licence to attack to stay sharp, the left is your zone.
3. What does your partner need? The best pairs are not two attackers or two defenders. They’re one of each. If your partner is a natural left-side attacker, own the right and give them the platform to finish.
📌 Wilson’s tactical overview of key padel positioning principles is worth bookmarking — particularly their breakdown of net dominance and when to push forward as a pair.
Final Thought
Side selection in padel is not about which side you like. It’s about building a functional pair with complementary roles, clear responsibilities, and no gaps in court coverage. Spend two months genuinely committed to one side — learning its shot demands, its movement patterns, its tactical reads — and your game will jump a full level.
Pick a side. Own it.
Next on TacticaPadel: → How to Hit the Bandeja — Mechanics, Timing & Common Errors → Padel Net Domination: Why You Must Control the Net
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