What Does Sideout Mean in Volleyball?

The Basic Definition of Sideout

In volleyball, a sideout occurs when the receiving team wins a rally and earns the right to serve. This is a key moment in the game because possession of the serve often determines momentum and scoring opportunities. While the term may sound simple, sideouts play a central role in both the history and strategy of the sport.

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Historical Use of Sideout Scoring

Before the adoption of rally scoring in the late 1990s, volleyball was played under a system known as “sideout scoring.” In this format, only the serving team could score a point. If the receiving team won the rally, they achieved a sideout, which allowed them to serve but did not add to their score. This system often led to long matches, as teams could exchange sideouts without points being awarded.

The shift to rally scoring simplified the game for spectators and created more predictable match lengths. However, the concept of a sideout remains essential to understanding how possession changes hands.

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Sideouts in Modern Volleyball

Even though rally scoring now governs most competitive volleyball, the idea of the sideout still exists. Today, when the receiving team wins a rally, they both score a point and gain the right to serve. Coaches, players, and analysts continue to use the term “sideout percentage” to evaluate performance.

Sideout percentage measures how often a team converts receiving opportunities into points and service possession. High-level teams often aim for sideout percentages above 60–70%, as strong sideout play is critical for keeping pace with an opponent.

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Strategic Importance of Sideouts

Sideouts are more than just a rule—they are a cornerstone of volleyball strategy. Teams structure their rotations, substitutions, and play-calling with the goal of maximizing sideout success. For example, a coach may arrange the lineup to ensure that a strong hitter is in the front row when the team is receiving serve.

Defensively, serving teams often focus on aggressive serves designed to make it harder for the opponent to achieve a sideout. By disrupting passing and forcing poor offensive options, they increase their own chances of scoring.

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Sideouts in Different Formats

The meaning of sideout remains consistent across different types of volleyball. In indoor six-player matches, it involves organized serve-receive formations and multiple attacking options. In beach volleyball, with only two players per team, sideouts depend heavily on precise passing, setting, and communication between partners.

Regardless of the format, successfully earning sideouts consistently is often the deciding factor between winning and losing.

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Why Sideouts Still Matter

Though the scoring system has changed, the concept of the sideout continues to be fundamental to volleyball. It highlights the constant battle for serve possession and underscores the importance of serve-receive execution. Understanding sideouts not only provides insight into how matches unfold but also shows why teams place so much emphasis on passing and first-ball offense.