The song 'Playing with the Boys', by Kenny Loggins, was also played during the volleyball scene in 'Top Gun' (1986).
Jon Stevenson, one of the most successful and respected pros in the game of beach volleyball, was the film's major consultant, volleyball technical adviser and game choreographer, and trained both lead actors, Peter Horton and C. Thomas Howell. Stevenson was a founding member of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) and won 21 Open titles, served on the AVP Board of Directors from 1984 until 1995, and was elected Player President in 1989. After serving six consecutive terms, he was named Executive Director in 1995. He was a commanding presence on the court despite a frame of merely 6' among much taller players. Sadly, Jon Stevenson passed away in June of 2012.
The movie's 'Side Out' title is a volleyball phrase that means the team receiving the ball has won the play and earned the right to serve.
Jay Weston, the movie's executive producer, began to develop this project over six years prior to its completion. He said: "Just as surfing was the sport of the '70s, volleyball is the sport of the '90s. The world has caught up with the sport, the fashion, the sex appeal, the fun, the whole beach style of California living, and that's why the timing of this movie is absolutely perfect."
Lead actor C. Thomas Howell performs ''The Crane'' pose which was seen and popularized in the earlier film 'The Karate Kid' (1984). Ralph Macchio, who played that movie's title character, previously co-starred with Howell in 'The Outsiders' (1983).