pickleball glossary
What is a Side out in Pickleball?
A side out is when the serving team loses the rally and the serve passes to the other team. In traditional pickleball (side-out scoring), the receiving team can't score on a side out — they only get the chance to serve.
Example in a match
You're serving in side-out scoring. The receiving team wins the rally. Side out — they serve next, but no point is awarded.
Pickleball scoring with Volley
Volley scores pickleball with all the standard rules built in. Pick the sport at match setup, name your sides, and tap to score. Volley applies the rules from there — including the ones that involve "Side out".
Free on iOS and Android. Multi-sport scoring across 9 sports with proper sport-specific scoring engines, ELO rating tracking, and tournament running.
Frequently asked questions
What is a side out in pickleball?
A side out is when the serving team loses the rally and the serve passes to the other team. In traditional pickleball (side-out scoring), the receiving team can't score on a side out — they only get the chance to serve.
Does Volley handle side out automatically?
Yes. Volley's pickleball scoring engine handles every standard rule including side out. You don't have to track it manually — pick the sport at match setup and Volley applies the rules.
Where can I learn more pickleball terms?
The full Pickleball glossary is at /pickleball-terms-glossary, with 20 of the most common terms explained.