After a side out, the serve goes to the other team, and the player standing in the right court for that team's score serves first. That player is server 1 for the turn, and the partner is server 2. It can be either partner, because the score and the court decide it, not the player. Here's how it plays out. For more like it, see our doubles guides.
Who serves first after a side out?
The player who is correctly on the right side for the team's score. The official guide to side-out scoring says the player on the right serves first, according to their score. An even team score puts the server in the right court, and an odd score puts the server in the left court.
The receiving side lines up by its own team score as well. So when the serve changes hands, look at your team's score, not at who served last time. Whoever stands on the correct side for that score starts the turn.
What are server 1 and server 2?
Each doubles team gets up to two servers per turn, and the number applies to that turn only.
- The first server keeps serving until the team loses a rally.
- The partner then serves as server 2, also until the team loses a rally.
- When server 2 loses a rally, that is a side out and the serve goes to the other team.
The basic rules say the player in the right-hand service area "is server number 1 for this sequence only." The next time your team gets the serve, your partner may be on the right and become server 1.
| Team score when you get the serve | Who serves first |
|---|---|
| Even (0, 2, 4...) | The player in the right court |
| Odd (1, 3, 5...) | The player in the left court |
Why does the game start at 0-0-2?
The team that serves first gets only one server on its first turn. The official how-to guide says the team that starts gets only one server, which is why the call is 0-0-2. The opening server counts as server 2, so when that server loses the rally, the serve goes straight to the other team.
After that first turn, every team gets two servers. If you want the full reasoning, read why a game starts at 0-0-2.
What does a side out look like in a real game?
Say your team has 4 points and the other team has 6, and they lose a rally while server 2 is up. That is a side out, and the serve comes to you. Your team score is 4, which is even, so whoever stands in the right court serves first, as server 1. The call is 4-6-1.
Now say that player wins the next rally. They switch to the left court and serve again, and the score becomes 5-6-1. If they lose that rally, their partner serves as server 2 from the court that matches the score. If the partner loses the next rally too, it is another side out, and the other team starts a new turn from its own right court for its own score.
Common mix-ups after a side out
- Thinking server 1 is a person. It is a spot in the turn. Your partner can be server 1 on the next turn.
- Serving from the court you used last time. The score decides the court, so check it again at every side out.
- Counting the opening turn as two servers. The first turn of a game has one server, which is why the call is 0-0-2.
- Switching sides on a side out. Nobody switches just because the serve changed. The serving team switches only after it scores, and the receiving team never does.
A quick check you can do in ten seconds
When the serve changes hands, run through three questions before anyone picks up the ball. What is our team score? Is it even or odd? Who is standing in the matching court? The answer to the last one is your first server. Your partner is server 2, and the opponents do the same check on their side. It takes seconds, and it saves the argument that starts when a server realises mid-rally they're in the wrong court.
What if the teammates are on the wrong sides?
Only the serving team switches sides, and only when it scores a point. The receiving team never switches. That's why positions tell you so much.
If the first server of a turn is in the right court, the team score should be even. If it isn't, someone is on the wrong side or the score was called wrong. Stop and check before the next serve. A look at the score and the court usually settles it. For the full count, see keeping score in doubles.
How does Pickle Call keep track?
Arguing about who serves next eats a minute between points. Pickle Call records where all four players stand after every rally, so it knows who is on the right after a side out. It shows a small court on the score screen with who serves and a 1 or 2 marker. You can read how it works on the server 1 or 2 page. Pickle Call is coming to iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Bottom line
After a side out, the player in the right court for the team's score serves first, and that can be either partner. That player is server 1 for the turn, the partner is server 2, and the serve changes teams after server 2 loses a rally. When in doubt, check the score against the court.
Questions
- Does the same player always serve first after a side out?
- No. The first server is whoever stands in the right court for the team's score. That can be either partner, and it can change from one turn to the next.
- Which side do I serve from after a side out?
- The right side when your team's score is even and the left side when it is odd. The player who starts the turn serves from the court that matches the score.
- Is the second server just the partner?
- Yes. When the first server loses a rally, the partner serves as server 2. When server 2 loses a rally, it is a side out and the serve goes to the other team.
- Why does only one player serve at the start of a game?
- The team that serves first gets a single server on its first turn, so the opening server counts as server 2 and the score is called 0-0-2.
