Sidesouts

Sidesouts, also known as side outs or side-outs, is a term used in various team sports to signify a change of possession. In sports like volleyball and ultimate frisbee, a "side out" occurs when the serving team or the team with possession commits a fault or fails to score, resulting in the opposing team gaining control of the ball or serve. This fundamental concept dictates the flow of the game, shifting momentum and providing opportunities for strategic play.

In volleyball, a side out is typically awarded when the receiving team wins a rally initiated by the serving team. This means the receiving team not only stops the opponent from scoring but also earns the right to serve for the next point. This is a crucial element in volleyball scoring, as points are only scored by the serving team. Therefore, achieving a side out is as important as winning a point when serving.

Similarly, in ultimate frisbee, a side out occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the disc. This can happen through an interception, a dropped pass, or if the disc goes out of bounds. When a side out occurs, the defensive team immediately becomes the offensive team and gains possession of the disc at the point where it was turned over or at the nearest point on the playing field if it went out of bounds. This immediate transition is a key characteristic of the fast-paced nature of ultimate frisbee. The term emphasizes the exchange of the playing advantage between the two competing teams.