Yes the guides for a freespool should go on the opposite side of the blank to a fixed spool.
The guide positions, size and number of guides is also different and will depend on the action of the blank with the main aim that the guides follow the outside curve of the blank. The softer the tip the closer the guides at the tip need to be. The stiffer the tip further apart.
generally for a 12 foot rod start with a 30mm butt guide, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm and three 12mm and a 12mm tip guide.
Placement will depend on the rod action and Im assuming the reel will be up the butt for casting?
As a guide from the tip down 4 1/2" then 5 1/2 then 7" then 9", 13" then 19" for the last guide on the tip with the butt guide 21" below that on the butt with the rod fitted together. see how it goes but the top four are the most important to ensure the line when the rod is bent into a working curve does not touch or worse go inside of the curve, you can then adjust the remaining guides to suit as a rule of thumb if their placement gradually increases in distance its about right.