On which side to play? – Specialization

Juan Martín Díaz

Hi friends!!!

The following is my expressed opinión about this controversial subject and I’d like to give you my view on whether it’s advisable to be able to play on both sides.

You have almost certainly been in the situation where, in a match, your partner happens to be in the habit of playing on the same side as you, in which case, one of you will be forced to make a sacrifice. You could possibly agree to playing one set each on your desired side or play without “the Australian”.

It’s also true, that at professional and advanced levels the players always play on the same side, and it’s very unusual to see one of the players changing sides during the match, except in a specific point which requires this.

So what should we do? Is it good to be able to play on both sides? Should we train on both sides? Should we only work on and strengthen our game on one particular side?

I have always defended and will defend the idea of non-specialization, however, in a particular pair or given a player with certain physical, psychological, etc. characteristics, it could be advisable that it benefits or suits him/her to play on a specific side. These specific characteristics include a player being right- or left-handed, being weaker or stronger, faster or slower, mentally stronger, taking responsibility during the game.

The reasons for which I recommend non-specialization are:

• Ampliation of technical capacity
• Ampliation of tactical capacity
• Equal muscle development in lower-body
• Improvement in capacity of coordination
• Partner search
• Alternation of position during a point

In my opinion, at professional or semi-professional level, yes it’s advisable to define the side on which to work and play, taking into account the factors mentioned earlier on in this article. This doesn’t mean that this type of player shouldn’t work on both sides to complement his training. There are also some players who change sides with the seasons due to change of partner.

I hope this information has been useful.

Bye friends!!!