A side out in pickleball is when the serve moves to the other team after a fault.
If you have ever asked what is a side out in pickleball, you’re in the right place. I play and coach weekly, and I’ve seen games swing on this one rule. In this guide, I’ll explain what is a side out in pickleball with clear steps, real examples, and smart tactics you can use today. You’ll walk away confident, whether you’re playing rec games or your first tournament.
What Is a Side Out in Pickleball?
At its core, a side out is a change of serve. In traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can score a point. When the serving team commits a fault and has no servers left in that turn, the serve passes to the other team. No point is awarded on a side out.
Here is what is a side out in pickleball, in plain terms. In doubles, each team gets two servers per turn, except to start the game. When both servers lose their rally, it’s a side out, and the other team serves. In singles, a single fault by the server creates a side out.
Think of a side out as a reset of who has the right to score. The next team starts serving from the right court and now holds the chance to put points on the board.
How Side Outs Work: Doubles and Singles
If you want to understand what is a side out in pickleball in doubles, picture a simple flow: Server 1, then Server 2, then side out.
Doubles flow
- Your team starts its service turn with the player on the right as Server 1.
- If Server 1 loses a rally, the serve moves to Server 2.
- If Server 2 loses a rally, that is a side out. The other team now serves.
Key note about the first serve of the game
- To even things out, the starting team gets only one server.
- This is why the first call is often 0-0-2.
- When that server faults, it’s a side out right away.
Singles flow
- One player serves until they lose a rally.
- On that fault, it’s a side out, and the other player serves.
Real example
- Score is 6-4-1. Your team has 6, the other team has 4, you are Server 1.
- You fault. The call becomes 6-4-2 for your partner.
- Your partner faults. That ends your turn. Side out to the other team.
The Score Call and Side Outs
Many players learn what is a a side out in pickleball by hearing 0-0-2 at the start. That third number is the server number, not the number of faults. It tells you whether Server 1 or Server 2 is serving in doubles.
How the call works
- The call is Serving Team Score, Receiving Team Score, Server Number.
- Example: 7-5-2 means your team has 7, opponents have 5, and your Server 2 is serving.
- If Server 2 loses the rally, it is a side out.
Court position tip
- The player on the right serves first at the start of each service turn.
- If your score is even, you should be on the right when serving.
- If your score is odd, you should be on the left when serving.
Knowing this keeps your team in the right places. It also helps you track who is next and when a side out will happen.
Common Faults That Cause a Side Out
When you know what is a side out in pickleball, you also learn what triggers it. These are the faults that end a server’s turn and can cause a side out.
Common faults on the serving team
- Serve lands out, long, short, or in the wrong box. That is a fault and the serve moves on.
- Foot fault on the serve. The server steps on or past the baseline before contact.
- Double-bounce rule broken. The serving team volleys before the return bounces.
- Kitchen violation on a volley. Any part of you or your paddle touches the kitchen during a volley.
- Hitting the net and the ball does not land in the correct box. That is a fault on the server.
Remember, a side out does not give the other team a point. It only transfers the right to serve.
Strategy: Use the Side Out to Win More Points
Use this rule to shape your plan. Knowing what is a side out in pickleball helps you control momentum.
As the receiving team, force a side out fast
- Aim deep on the return to push the server back.
- Target the weaker player when Server 2 steps in.
- Play high-percentage shots early. Let the server make the first mistake.
As the serving team, delay the side out
- Serve deep and to the backhand to earn short returns.
- Third shot drop to neutralize pressure and get to the kitchen.
- On Server 2, play even safer. Make the ball bounce one more time.
Mental edge
- Treat a side out like a fresh start. Reset, breathe, and stick to your best patterns.
- Track who is Server 2. That is your chance to press hard and flip the serve.
Drills To Reduce Costly Side Outs
If you coach, define what is a side out in pickleball before practice so players grasp why these drills matter.
Simple, high-impact drills
- Deep serve and deep return ladder: Aim for 3 feet inside the baseline. Count makes in a row.
- Third shot drop to kitchen: 20 reps crosscourt and 20 reps down the line, then switch.
- Two-bounce rule awareness: Play mini-points where a rally only starts after two bounces. Focus on patience.
- Server 2 pressure rounds: Start each rally with Server 2. Goal is five safe third shots in a row.
- Kitchen control games: Start at the NVZ line. Winner must hit three unattackable dinks before finishing.
These drills build habits that cut errors. Fewer errors mean fewer side outs.
Side Out vs. Rally Scoring
Some events test rally scoring, where every rally earns a point for someone. But for most play today, side-out scoring is standard. That is why knowing what is a side out in pickleball still matters most.
Quick compare
- Side-out scoring: Only the serving team scores. Side out transfers the serve.
- Rally scoring: Every rally scores. There is often a freeze near game point to balance serve advantage.
Why side-out scoring persists
- It rewards holding serve and smart shot choice.
- It keeps the flow of doubles strategy with Server 1 and Server 2.
- It makes the serve-and-approach game central to strategy.
Real-World Examples and Mistakes to Avoid
In my leagues, new players ask me what is a side out in pickleball every week. I see the same mistakes, and they are easy to fix with a few habits.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting server number. Mark Server 1 in your head as the player who served from the right at the start of your turn.
- Rushing the third shot. If you cannot attack, drop. Patience keeps you out of side-out trouble.
- Serving soft and short. A short serve invites an attack. Hit deep and firm to buy time.
- Poor footwork near the kitchen. Split-step before contact and avoid reaching into the kitchen on volleys.
Match story
- In one rec final, my partner kept a simple rule: deep serve, safe drop, early reset. Our rivals went big on Server 2 and paid for it with fast side outs. We won not by flash, but by avoiding the one rally that handed over the ball.
Frequently Asked Questions of what is a side out in pickleball
What is a side out in pickleball?
A side out is when the serve moves to the other team after the serving team’s final server loses a rally. No point is awarded on a side out.
When does a side out happen in doubles?
It happens after Server 1 loses a rally and then Server 2 also loses a rally. The serve then passes to the other team.
Does a side out give the other team a point?
No. In side-out scoring, only the serving team can score. A side out only changes who serves.
How is the score call related to a side out?
The call includes server number. If the call is 6-5-2 and that rally is lost, it causes a side out because Server 2 just lost.
Is the first serve of the game different?
Yes. The first team to serve gets only one server to start, often called 0-0-2. If that server loses, it is a side out right away.
How does stacking affect side outs?
Stacking does not change the rule. You still must serve from the correct side and follow Server 1 and Server 2 order.
What faults most often cause side outs?
Short serves, missed returns on the third shot, and kitchen violations on volleys. Clean footwork and deep targets prevent many of these.
Conclusion
Now you know what is a side out in pickleball and why it shapes every game. Use it to plan returns, protect Server 2, and build safe patterns that hold serve. Small changes in depth, patience, and court position will slash your side outs and lift your win rate.
Put this into action in your next match. Practice the drills, track server order, and aim deep. Want more tips like this? Subscribe for weekly pickleball breakdowns and drop your questions in the comments.