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Left or right, which side should you play?
Right-handed pair: the bigger forehand and smash plays the left. The steadier hands play the right.
You and a new partner are both right-handed. Your partner has the bigger forehand and smash. Which side should they take?
Right-handed pair: the bigger forehand and smash plays the left. The steadier hands play the right.
Why
For two right-handers, the left side puts the forehand in the middle of the court and gives the more natural overhead on lobs that go over the pair's left shoulder, so the player with the bigger forehand and smash usually plays the left, and is expected to finish more points. The right side is the steadier side: more backhand volleys, more balls off the side glass, more responsibility for keeping the pair in the point. Neither side is easier; they reward different players.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Try both sides for a set each and notice which one feels natural. Most beginners find the right side calmer.
Intermediate
The left-side player has to want the ball. If the bigger hitter is passive, put them on the right and let the calmer player organise from the left.
Advanced
The left player's smash and the right player's bandeja are the two shots that define a pair. Choose sides by who has each, not by who is "better".
Common questions
You and a new partner are both right-handed. Your partner has the bigger forehand and smash. Which side should they take?
The left: the forehand covers the middle and most overheads. Right-handed pair: the bigger forehand and smash plays the left. The steadier hands play the right. For two right-handers, the left side puts the forehand in the middle of the court and gives the more natural overhead on lobs that go over the pair's left shoulder, so the player with the bigger forehand and smash usually plays the left, and is expected to finish more points. The right side is the steadier side: more backhand volleys, more balls off the side glass, more responsibility for keeping the pair in the point. Neither side is easier; they reward different players.
Why not the right: the strongest player always plays the right?
The right side is the steadier, more defensive side for a right-hander. The bigger weapons usually live on the left.
What should a beginner do here?
Try both sides for a set each and notice which one feels natural. Most beginners find the right side calmer.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The left player's smash and the right player's bandeja are the two shots that define a pair. Choose sides by who has each, not by who is "better".
Puzzles like this one
Your partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.
beginnerA ball comes down the middle. Who takes it?
The middle ball belongs to the forehand: decided before the match, not during the point.