What is a Side Out in Pickleball? Everything You Need to Know

The term “side out in Pickleball” refers to a crucial moment in the game when serving possession shifts from one team to the other. It’s a fundamental part of how scoring and turns work in pickleball, particularly in doubles play. A side out occurs when the serving team fails to win a point, and all of their players have completed their service turns, allowing the receiving team to become the serving team.

Unlike many other racket sports, you can only score points while serving in traditional pickleball scoring. This means a side out is not just a change in who’s serving—it’s also a shift in scoring opportunity. For experienced players, side outs are moments to reset momentum, while beginners often overlook their importance in strategy and game management. In both casual club play and competitive pickleball across the UK, understanding the side out process is key to improving your game.

How a Side Out Works in Doubles Pickleball

In doubles pickleball, each team begins with two players having a chance to serve per rotation, except for the first serving team of the match, who only gets one server to start. When a team loses a rally on their serve, the next player on their team serves. After both players lose their serve (called a double fault), a side out is called, and the serve switches to the opposing team.

Example of a Side Out in Action:

1️⃣ Player A1 (first server) serves and loses the point.
2️⃣ Player A2 (second server) then serves and also loses the point.
3️⃣ Now, a side out occurs, and the ball is handed over to Team B.

Once Team B gets the ball, their first server begins, and the cycle continues. Each time both players on a team lose their serve, the serve shifts, and that’s a side out.

This structure keeps the game balanced and tactical. Because only the serving team can score, keeping track of side outs and planning your third shot strategy accordingly becomes essential.

🔥 Key takeaway: A side out happens when both players on a doubles team lose their service turn, giving the serve to the opposing team.

Side Outs in Singles Pickleball

In singles play, the concept of side outs still applies, but it works slightly differently. Since each player is alone on their side of the court, there is only one server per team (or rather, per player). When the server loses a rally, it’s a side out, and the ball is passed to the opponent, who now serves and has the chance to score.

Key Points About Side Outs in Singles:

✅ The player loses the serve when they commit a fault or fail to win a rally.
✅ The serve immediately switches to the other player—no second server in singles.
✅ This makes each serve even more valuable, as losing it ends your opportunity to score.

In this format, the importance of consistency, depth of serve, and strong returns becomes even more evident. A single mistake in your service game results in a side out and hands your opponent the scoring chance. Advanced singles players in the UK focus heavily on minimising unforced errors on their serve to maintain scoring pressure.

🔥 Key takeaway: In singles pickleball, a side out occurs when the server loses the rally, immediately handing the serve over to the opponent.

Why Side Outs Matter Strategically in Pickleball

A side out might seem like a routine rule, but it has strategic implications that affect the rhythm and outcome of the match. Knowing how to force a side out on your opponent or avoid giving one away unnecessarily can swing the momentum of the game in your favour.

Strategic Considerations Around Side Outs:

✔ Forcing Side Outs – If you’re receiving serve, your goal is to break their serve as quickly as possible. If you can cause a side out before they score, you’re keeping them at zero and regaining your scoring opportunity.
✔ Avoiding Side Outs – When you’re serving, especially as the second server, play conservatively. A mistake means a side out, so use high-percentage shots and target your opponent’s weaknesses.
✔ Tactical Awareness – Strong teams track the opponent’s weaker server and try to exploit that during critical side out moments.
✔ Pacing and Momentum – Sometimes, calling a timeout right after a side out can stop an opponent’s scoring run and allow you to reset mentally.

Side outs represent more than just a change of possession—they’re an opportunity to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and reassert control over the flow of play.

🔥 Key takeaway: Controlling side outs is essential to keeping your opponents off the scoreboard while maximising your own scoring chances.

Common Mistakes Players Make During Side Outs

Both beginners and intermediate players often make costly mistakes around side outs, especially when serving under pressure or forgetting proper player positioning.

Typical Side Out Errors:

❌ Serving Out of Turn – This is common when players don’t track who served last, particularly in doubles. Serving out of sequence leads to a fault and side out.
❌ Overly Aggressive Second Serves – Players often go for low-percentage shots when they’re on their second server, leading to quick side outs.
❌ Not Switching Sides Correctly – Confusion over court positioning after a point or side out can cause immediate faults if the serve is taken from the wrong side.
❌ Failing to Reset After Side Out – Players sometimes rush into their own service after a side out and lose composure. Taking a moment to reset your plan can avoid a rushed error.

Learning how to manage side outs is a skill in itself, and avoiding these mistakes gives you the edge in longer matches or close scorelines.

🔥 Key takeaway: Avoiding mental and positional errors around side outs helps you maintain momentum and reduce unforced faults.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Side Out in Pickleball

The side out rule in pickleball may seem simple, but it is fundamental to scoring, rhythm, and strategy. For both casual players and those competing in tournaments across the UK, mastering the timing, awareness, and flow around side outs can make the difference between winning and losing tight matches.

Key Takeaways:

✔ A side out occurs when a team (or player in singles) loses the serve, handing it over to the opponent.
✔ In doubles, this happens after both players on the team have served and lost their points.
✔ In singles, a side out occurs immediately after the server loses a rally.
✔ Smart teams use side outs to break momentum, refocus, and return to a scoring position.
✔ Avoiding positioning errors, rushed serves, and aggressive second serves can limit avoidable side outs.

Understanding how side outs work, and how to control them, is a sign of a mature pickleball player. It’s not just about keeping the ball in play—it’s about playing smart, managing momentum, and owning the serve when it matters most.

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Author: Dink Quest

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