Picture this: the gym is loud, the score is tight, and everyone on the bench is shouting the same thing, “Side out! Side out!” But what does that actually mean, and why is this old phrase still everywhere in modern volleyball?
This blog walks through what a side out means in today’s game, how it worked in the old scoring system, and why the rule change was so important.
We will also cover why side-outs matter so much for momentum, which players are key to winning them, and the strategies coaches use to boost side-out success.
There’s also a look at side outs in beach volleyball and some common myths that confuse players and fans. By the end, “side out” will make perfect sense.
Why the Term ‘Side Out’ Still Sticks Around
“Side out” remains part of volleyball vocabulary. Here’s why:
- Tradition Runs Deep: Volleyball has a rich history dating back to 1895. Old-school players and coaches grew up with side-out scoring. They passed the terminology down to younger generations.
- Perfect Motivational Chant: “Side out! Side out!” is short, powerful, and easy to yell. It unites the team and bench behind a common goal. You’ll hear it at every level from youth leagues to the Olympics.
- Analytics Still Use It: Stats like side-out percentage remain crucial metrics. Scouts evaluate players based on their side-out efficiency. Coaches design entire training sessions around improving side-out skills.
- Connects Past and Present: Using the term reminds everyone that volleyball has evolved. It honors the game’s roots while celebrating modern improvements.
What does Side Out Mean in Volleyball?
Here’s the straightforward answer: A side out happens when the receiving team wins the rally against the serving team.
In today’s volleyball, this means two big things happen at once:
- The receiving team gets the serve (they rotate, and their team serves next)
- The receiving team earns a point
Think of it like this: if Team A is serving and Team B receives the serve and wins that rally, Team B just scored a “side out.” They get a point, and they get to serve next.
You’ll still hear players and coaches yelling “Side out!” during matches. It’s become a motivational chant that means “Let’s win this rally and get the ball back!”
Historical Side-Out Scoring System (Old Rules Explained)
Volleyball wasn’t always played with rally scoring. Back in the day, we’re talking from 1895 (when volleyball was invented) all the way to the late 1990s, the game worked differently.
Under the old side-out scoring system:
- Only the serving team could score points
- If the receiving team won a rally, they got the serve, but no point
- This meant you had to win the serve first, then win another rally to actually score
Imagine playing a game where you could fight hard and win a rally, but get zero points for it! That’s exactly what happened.
Why Did Volleyball Change the Rules?
The old system had some serious problems:
Games Took Forever: Matches could drag on for hours because teams kept trading the serve back and forth without scoring. Players got tired. Fans got bored. TV networks didn’t want to broadcast games with unpredictable lengths.
Hard to Follow: Spectators (especially new fans) found it confusing that winning a rally didn’t always mean scoring a point. They’d cheer for their team winning the ball, only to realize the score hadn’t changed.
Less Exciting: Without points being scored regularly, the energy in the arena would drop. Rally scoring fixed this by making every single play meaningful.
The switch to rally scoring happened internationally in 1998 and in U.S. high schools and colleges shortly after. Games became faster-paced, more exciting, and way easier to understand.
Key Rule Milestones
| Year / Era | Event / Rule Change | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1895 | Volleyball invented | Created by William G. Morgan. |
| 1897 | First official rulebook published | Early formalization of volleyball rules. |
| Standard scoring | Games played to 15 points | Traditional side-out scoring era; only the serving team could score. |
| Two-point advantage | Win-by-2 requirement | Teams needed at least a 2-point lead to win a set. |
| 17-point cap | Tiebreak cap introduced in some leagues | At 16–16, the next point wins (final score 17–16). |
| Late 1990s | Rally scoring has been adopted worldwide | Every rally results in a point; the modern scoring system is used today. |
Key Players in the Side-Out Game
When teams talk about siding out, these three positions do the heavy lifting, turning good passes into points and keeping the game fully under control.
The Libero: This defensive specialist wears a different colored jersey and focuses on serve receive and digging. They’re usually the best passers on the team and rarely leave the back row.
The Setter: Touches the ball on almost every play. Their job is to set up perfect attacks for the hitters. A great setter makes everyone around them better.
The Outside Hitter: Most teams rely on their outside hitter for side-out offense. These players attack from the left side of the court and are usually consistent, reliable scorers.
Why Side Outs Matter in Every Volleyball Match
Side outs aren’t just another volleyball term; they’re the heartbeat of the game. Every time your team sides out, you stop the opponent’s scoring run, regain the serve, and grab momentum.
Teams that side out consistently stay calm under pressure, control the flow of the match, and avoid falling into big point gaps. That’s why coaches, players, and even stats nerds pay so much attention to them.
- Momentum Control: A well-timed side out instantly stops the other team’s scoring streak, quiets their energy, and boosts yours. It’s often the moment that flips the entire set.
- Staying Competitive: If you can’t side out, the score gap grows fast. Reliable side-out play keeps you close, gives you chances to catch up, and prevents blowout sets.
- Statistical Tracking: Coaches track side-out percentage to judge how well passing, setting, and attacking work together. Elite teams target 60–70% or more, while anything below 50% signals deeper issues.
| Team Level | Target Side-Out % |
|---|---|
| Professional/D1 College | 65-75% |
| High School Varsity | 50-60% |
| Recreational/Club | 40-50% |
Side Out Strategy: How Teams Improve Side-Out Success
Coaches spend hours designing systems to maximize side-out efficiency. Here are the main strategies:
1. Serve Receive Formations
Teams use different passing formations depending on their personnel:
- W Formation: Five players form a W shape, covering the whole court
- U Formation: Three strong passers form a U along the back and sides
- 3-Passer System: Only three designated passers receive; the others prepare to attack
The goal? Get the ball to the setter in a perfect spot every single time.
2. Offensive Strategy
Once the pass is good, teams run designed plays:
- Quick Sets to The Middle: Fast attacks that beat the blockers
- High Sets to The Outside: Reliable option when you need a point
- Back-Row Attacks: Surprise the defense with attacks from behind the 10-foot line
- Exploit Weak Blockers: Send the ball to whoever’s struggling at the net
3. Communication and Timing
Watch any high-level team, and you’ll hear constant talking:
- “Mine!”
- “You got help!”
- “Red! Red!” (calling out the play)
Perfect timing between the setter and hitters turns good passes into kills.
4. Psychological Boost
When your team gets a crucial side out, especially after being down several points, the emotional lift is HUGE. Confidence shoots up, energy on the court rises, and the bench wakes up.
At the same time, doubt starts creeping into the opponent’s mind. Their server feels more pressure, and their rhythm can break. Sometimes, a single side out completely changes the flow of an entire match.
Side Out in Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball players face a more formidable challenge with side outs. Why? Because there are only two players per team instead of six.
Beach vs. Indoor Side Outs
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| More responsibilities | Each player must pass, set, attack, block, and dig; no libero is allowed to handle tough passes, so every skill matters more. |
| Environmental factors | Wind alters ball flight, sand slows movement, the sun affects visibility, and serves become tougher with fewer passers. |
| Precision required | With only one setter or alternating setters, every touch must be clean. One bad pass can ruin your side-out opportunity. |
| Shot selection | Players rely on cut shots, line shots, roll shots, and deep pokes because only two defenders must cover the entire court. |
| Same core purpose | Despite challenges, the goal remains: receive the serve, win the rally, regain serve, and score a point. |
Common Misconceptions About Side Outs
Let’s clear up some confusion once and for all:
Myth #1: “Only the serving team can score points.”
Nope! That was true 25+ years ago, but not anymore. Rally scoring means both teams can score on every rally.
Myth #2: “A side out means you’re winning the match.”
False. A side out just means you won one rally and got the serve back. You still need to reach 25 points (or 15 in the fifth set) and win by two.
Myth #3: “The term ‘side out’ isn’t used anymore.”
Wrong again! While the official rule changed, players, coaches, and fans still use the term constantly. It’s part of volleyball culture.
Myth #4: “Side outs are easy to get.”
Actually, no! Against strong servers and smart defensive teams, siding out requires excellent passing, setting, and attacking. It’s a skill that separates good teams from great ones.
Final Thoughts
In the end, “side out” is much more than a loud chant from the bench. It’s the moment your team stops the other side, takes back control, and turns defense into instant offense.
When passing, setting, and hitting all come together, a good side out can change the energy of a whole set.
Understanding this idea helps you watch and play volleyball with more confidence and purpose, whether indoors or on the beach.
Next time the gym is loud, and someone yells “Side out!”, there will be a clear picture of what needs to happen.
Have another volleyball term or skill in mind? Share it next and keep the learning going with new tips, breakdowns, and examples!
