The Rise of the Aggressive Right Side in Pickleball

Once considered the sidekick role in doubles pickleball, the right-side player is officially having a main-character moment in 2025. Where once they were the safe and steady setup artist, new-era right-siders are taking control—aggressively. Thanks to pros like Gabe Tardio, Christian Alshon, and even Matt Wright’s late-career pivot, the right side is no longer the beta position. These players aren’t waiting for left-side partners to finish points. Instead, they’re stepping into the middle, taking balls out of the air, and dictating pace and placement. It’s a role reversal that requires precision, court vision, and a paddle built for attacking.

Positioning is at the heart of the transformation. Instead of retreating or defaulting to safe dinks, modern right-siders are pinching the middle and daring opponents to challenge their forehands. The trick is taking dinks out of the air, catching opponents off guard, and choosing from an arsenal of speedups, rolls, and inside-out shots. Whether it’s a line drive down the sideline or a flick into the chicken wing, these aggressive players keep their opponents guessing while keeping themselves in ideal positions to cover what’s next. Even backhand flicks are part of the game now—risky but rewarding when timed right.

And what makes this evolution even more potent is the strategic tradeoff. When the right-sider takes control, their partner can cover the middle or anticipate counterattacks, creating a seamless offensive unit. This new meta isn’t for the timid; it’s for those willing to take control of rallies, understand attacking patterns, and redefine their role. So, if you’re still standing passively on the right waiting to be helpful—it’s time to evolve. In today’s game, the right side isn’t just along for the ride. It’s in the driver’s seat.