What Does Side Out Mean in Volleyball? Explained

By Sarah Miller · July 26, 2053

In volleyball, a side out occurs when the receiving team wins a rally and earns the right to serve, thereby gaining a point in rally scoring or simply switching service rotation in older side-out scoring systems. This term is most commonly associated with traditional scoring, where only the serving team could score points. A side out marks a critical momentum shift during a match.

Understanding the Concept of a Side Out in Volleyball

The term side out refers to a situation in which the team receiving the serve wins the rally. In older scoring systems—specifically side-out scoring—only the serving team could earn a point. If the receiving team won the rally, they did not receive a point but instead earned the right to serve next. This transition was called a side out.

While modern volleyball primarily uses rally scoring (where either team can score a point on every serve), the term 'side out' is still used by coaches and players to describe when the receiving team successfully takes control from the serving team.

Key Differences Between Scoring Systems

Side-out scoring: Only the serving team can score points. Losing the rally results in loss of serve.
Rally scoring: Either team scores a point on every rally, regardless of who served.
Side out in rally scoring: Still used informally to indicate a successful reception and offensive transition.

Historical Context of Side Out Scoring

Before the widespread adoption of rally scoring in the late 1990s, volleyball matches were played using side-out scoring. In this format, games were typically played to 15 points, and a team had to win by at least two points. Matches could last significantly longer because points were only scored by the serving team.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States adopted rally scoring in 2008 for collegiate women’s volleyball, while USA Volleyball and FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) made the switch earlier—in 1999 and 1998 respectively.

Why Was Rally Scoring Introduced?

To shorten match duration and improve television broadcast appeal.
To increase excitement by ensuring every rally produces a point.
To reduce predictability and enhance competitive balance.

Modern Usage of 'Side Out' in Volleyball

Although official scoring no longer relies on side-outs, the term remains prevalent in coaching and player communication. Teams track sideout efficiency—a key performance metric that measures how often a team earns a point when receiving the serve.

What Is Sideout Efficiency?

Sideout efficiency is calculated as:

(Points scored while receiving / Total receiving rallies) × 100

Top-level teams aim for a sideout percentage of 60% or higher. For example, in elite international play, a sideout rate below 55% often correlates with match losses.

Team	Tournament	Year	Sideout %	Win %
Brazil Women's National Team	FIVB World Championship	2022	63.2%	78%
USA Women's National Team	Olympic Games	2020	65.4%	83%
Italy Women's National Team	FIVB Nations League	2023	59.8%	67%
Serbia Women's National Team	FIVB World Championship	2022	61.7%	72%
Japan Women's National Team	FIVB Nations League	2023	56.3%	54%

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a strong positive correlation between high sideout efficiency and match-winning performance. Teams like the USA and Brazil consistently maintain sideout rates above 60%, contributing to their dominance in international competitions. Even small improvements in sideout percentage can significantly impact overall success.

Strategies to Improve Sideout Success

Coaches emphasize several technical and tactical elements to maximize sideout efficiency:

Stable Serve Reception: Ensuring accurate first contact to set up effective offensive plays.
Offensive Variety: Using multiple hitters and tempo attacks to challenge the opponent’s block and defense.
Floor Defense Readiness: Preparing for counterattacks after the initial set.
Setter Decision-Making: Choosing optimal sets based on block positioning and hitter readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Side Outs in Volleyball

What does side out mean in volleyball?

A side out occurs when the receiving team wins a rally and gains the right to serve. In side-out scoring, this does not award a point but transfers serving possession. In rally scoring, it results in a point and continued play.

Does side out mean you get a point?

Not always. Under traditional side-out scoring, winning a rally as the receiving team only earns the serve—it doesn’t award a point. In rally scoring, however, any rally win results in a point, so a side out also means scoring.

How is sideout percentage calculated?

Sideout percentage is calculated by dividing the number of points scored while receiving serve by the total number of receiving rallies, then multiplying by 100. For example, if a team scores 60 points out of 100 receiving sequences, their sideout efficiency is 60%.

What is a good sideout percentage in volleyball?

In elite volleyball, a sideout percentage of 60% or higher is considered excellent. Top international teams often exceed 63%. At lower competitive levels, 55% may be competitive. Consistently falling below 50% usually indicates difficulty in offensive execution.

Is side-out scoring still used today?

No, side-out scoring is largely obsolete in organized volleyball. Most leagues—including NCAA, FIVB, and high school associations—use rally scoring. However, the term 'side out' persists in coaching terminology to describe successful transitions from defense to offense.