Side out means your team lost serve and the other team now serves.
If you have ever asked what does side out mean in pickleball, you are not alone. I have coached new and seasoned players on this exact rule, and it shapes every rally. Stick with me for a clear, friendly, and expert guide on what does side out mean in pickleball, how it works in real games, and how to use it for a winning edge.
What Does Side Out Mean in Pickleball?
In pickleball, a side out is when the serving team loses the right to serve, and the serve moves to the other team. Only the serving team can score in traditional side-out scoring, so a side out ends your chance to add points until you win the serve back.
When people ask what does side out mean in pickleball, they often mix it up with “second serve.” In doubles, each team usually gets two servers per turn. After the first server loses a rally, the second server serves. If the second server also loses a rally, that is a side out, and the other team serves.
In singles, there is only one server per side. Any fault by the server leads to a side out right away. No second server in singles.
How Scoring Works in Doubles and Singles
Understanding scoring makes what does side out mean in pickleball feel simple. Doubles uses three numbers: server score, receiver score, server number. Server number is either 1 or 2, except at the start.
At the start of a game, the first team serves as “0-0-2.” That means they have only one server to avoid an early advantage. Once they lose that rally, it is a side out, and the other team gets both servers as normal. In singles, the score has only two numbers. Each loss by the server leads to a side out and a switch of serve.
Simple call examples:
- Doubles start: 0-0-2. If they lose, side out to opponents.
- Later in doubles: 5-3-1 means the serving team has 5, receivers have 3, and server 1 is serving.
- Singles: 6-4. If server loses the rally, it is a side out, and serve moves.
When Does a Side Out Happen?
A side out happens when the serving team commits a fault and has no server left in that turn, or in singles, any server fault. If server 1 faults, server 2 gets the ball. If server 2 faults, side out. In singles, the very next fault triggers a side out.
Common faults that lead to a side out:
- Ball hit out or into the net by the serving side.
- Volley foot fault in the kitchen (non-volley zone).
- Serving before the score is called or illegal service motion.
- Wrong player serving or receiving out of position.
- Not letting the return of serve bounce before hitting.
- Ball hits the server’s body or clothing before it bounces.
Knowing these is key if you want to master what does side out mean in pickleball during fast play.
Real Game Examples You Can Picture
Example 1, doubles:
- Score is 7-6-1. Server 1 misses a third-shot drop into the net.
- Now it is 7-6-2. Server 2 serves. The receivers hit a deep return. Server 2 volleys it before it bounces. Fault. Side out. Receivers now serve at 6-7-1.
Example 2, singles:
- Score is 8-8. Server hits a clean serve, but then volleys the return too early. Fault. That is a side out. The other player now serves at 8-8.
Example 3, start of game:
- First team calls 0-0-2. They lose the point. It is a side out, and the other team serves at 0-0-1 with a full two-server turn.
These quick snapshots make what does side out mean in pickleball easy to see in action.
Strategy Tips to Force or Avoid Side Outs
Side outs decide momentum. A single side out can swing a game. To master what does side out mean in pickleball, play with purpose on both serve and receive.
As the serving team:
- Play high-percentage third shots. Use drops to the opponent’s backhand or middle.
- Serve deep and to the backhand. Reduce free side outs from weak returns.
- Aim middle on fifth and seventh shots. Fewer angles, fewer errors.
As the receiving team:
- Return deep and high. Push servers back and make the third shot tough.
- Target the weaker third-shot player. Force the side out sooner.
- Dink to the middle. Wait for a pop-up or force a speed-up error.
I tell my students: your first balls in a service turn matter most. Win those, avoid risk, and you will delay the side out and rack up points.
Common Mistakes and Myths
If you want to explain what does side out mean in pickleball, clear up these traps.
- Thinking every rally scores like rally scoring. Standard pickleball uses side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score.
- Calling side out after the first server faults. Not yet. Server 2 still gets a turn in doubles.
- Forgetting the “0-0-2” start. First serving team only gets one server, then side out.
- Mixing up positions. Serving or receiving out of position causes faults and quick side outs.
- Overhitting third shots. Most side outs come from forced or unforced third-shot errors.
In my first tournament, we lost three service turns in a row by rushing the third shot. We slowed down, went to soft drops, and stopped the bleeding.
Rulebook Notes and History
The term side out comes from older volleyball scoring. In pickleball, standard play uses side-out scoring. Only the serving side can score. According to the official rules, players do not need to shout “side out.” The referee or server simply calls the new score when service changes.
Some leagues or special formats use rally scoring. That is not the standard. When folks ask what does side out mean in pickleball, they are almost always asking about standard side-out scoring used in most rec games and tournaments.
Simple Drills to Reduce Costly Side Outs
Use these short drills to keep more service turns alive. They work for all levels and make what does side out mean in pickleball feel natural.
- Deep serve and deep return practice: 50 balls each, aim three feet from the baseline. Build depth control.
- Third-shot drop ladder: Start at the baseline, hit a drop to the kitchen, then step in one yard each success. Reset after any miss.
- Middle targeting game: In practice rallies, every ball directed to the center earns a point. Train safer patterns.
- Kitchen footwork mimic: Shadow step into the kitchen line after a drop, split step, then dink cross, middle, line. Repeat for rhythm.
- Pressure rounds: Two players vs. two. Serving team must win three balls in a row before attacking. Teaches patience and avoids fast side outs.
Frequently Asked Questions of what does side out mean in pickleball
What does side out mean in pickleball in one sentence?
It means the serving team lost the serve, and the other team now serves. Only the serving team can score in standard play.
Does side out happen after every fault?
In doubles, only after both servers have lost a rally in that service turn. In singles, any server fault triggers a side out.
Why does a game start with 0-0-2?
The first team only gets one server at the start to keep it fair. After that first loss, it becomes a normal two-server rotation.
Can you score on a rally when you are receiving?
No. In side-out scoring, only the serving team can score. If you win a rally on receive, you earn the serve, not a point.
What faults most often cause a side out?
Third-shot errors, returns not allowed to bounce, and kitchen foot faults are common. Out-of-position serves or returns also cause quick side outs.
Is “side out” an official call?
It is a common phrase, but officials focus on calling the score. Players often say “side out” informally to mark the change of serve.
Conclusion
Side out is the heartbeat of pickleball scoring. It marks the moment you lose service and the chance to score until you win it back. Now that you know exactly what does side out mean in pickleball, use that knowledge to plan safer third shots, deeper returns, and smarter court positions. Practice the drills, cut down on easy faults, and you will hold serve longer and win more games.
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