One of the first tactical decisions every padel player faces is which side of the court to play on. It is not random, and it is not purely about preference. Your side affects what shots you play, how you cover the court, and how well your pair functions as a unit.
The Basics: Left Side and Right Side
A padel court is divided down the middle into two halves. Each player in a pair is responsible for their side for the majority of the rally. The right side is traditionally called the drive side and the left side the reverse side - names that come from which shots naturally fall on each half for a right-handed player.
The terms "drive side" and "reverse side" are borrowed from tennis but are widely used in padel. Do not overthink the names - what actually matters is understanding what each side demands of the player who occupies it.
Playing on the Right Side (Drive Side)
The right side is traditionally considered the more straightforward position of the two. For a right-handed player, the centre line is to your left, so balls down the middle actually come to your backhand. Your forehand opens up towards the side wall and glass. The right side is considered easier not because of favourable shot distribution, but because the defensive patterns and positioning are simpler to learn, and the overhead situations are less demanding than on the left.
What the right side demands
Because the centre line sits to the right side player's left, balls coming down the middle arrive on their backhand. This means a reliable backhand volley is important for anyone playing on the right. The centre is a high-responsibility area - if it is left open, both players can be passed easily. A solid right-side player keeps the pair compact and difficult to break down.
The right side is generally recommended for beginners and players who are still building their game. More balls arrive on your forehand, so there are fewer technically demanding situations to manage.
Playing on the Left Side (Reverse Side)
The left side is typically the more demanding position, but it comes with a key advantage for right-handed players: the centre line is to your right, so balls down the middle arrive on your forehand. Your forehand volley, drive and smash all open up naturally from this side. The backhand is used towards the left wall and glass. The left side is considered harder because the glass play and overhead situations are more complex, not because of shot distribution.
What the left side demands
The left side player also tends to be the one finishing points. The smash angle from the left gives a better cross-court opportunity. At higher levels, the left side player is often the more aggressive of the two - reading when to attack while the right side partner maintains structure.
How to Choose Your Side
For most beginners, the choice is simple: start on the right. You will face fewer technically demanding balls and can focus on building consistency without constantly having to play difficult backhand situations. As your game develops, try the left side and see how you handle it.
The most important principle when playing with a regular partner is to match your strengths rather than defaulting to habit. If one of you has a significantly stronger backhand, they are almost always better placed on the left regardless of what feels comfortable.
What Changes if You Are Left-Handed?
Left-handed players have the opposite natural shot distribution to right-handers. On the right side, a left-handed player's forehand covers the centre - which is an advantage. Balls down the middle arrive naturally on their stronger shot, the same way a right-hander benefits from the left side. On the left side, a left-handed player's backhand covers the centre, which is the more demanding situation.
A left-handed player is generally better suited to the right side of the court. Their forehand naturally covers the centre line, giving them the same attacking advantage that right-handers get on the left. Pairing a left-hander on the right with a right-hander on the left means both players have their forehand pointing towards the middle - which is the ideal setup.
If you are left-handed and still developing your game, the right side is where you should start. The shot distribution works in your favour from there, and the positional logic is easier to build on as you improve.
When Does It Make Sense to Switch Sides?
Switching mid-match is uncommon at beginner and intermediate level, but it does happen and there are legitimate reasons for it.
At beginner club level, it is best to pick a side and stay there for at least several sessions to properly understand what it demands. Switching constantly prevents you from ever building the positional awareness each side requires. Commit to a side, learn it well, then experiment.
Does Your Racket Choice Change Based on Your Side?
Not necessarily at beginner or intermediate level - but at higher levels, side and racket do begin to interact. Left side players often benefit from slightly more control-oriented rackets because the backhand volleys and defensive shots from the glass demand precision over pure power. Right side players can lean slightly more towards power rackets as their forehand volley and cross-court attack benefit from pace.
That said, for most club players the racket you are comfortable with is the right racket - regardless of which side you play. Focus on finding the right shape and weight for your game first. You can read more about that in our control vs power guide and our racket shapes guide.
Take the CORTA racket quiz for a personalised recommendation based on your level and playing style.
