Why do they have to keep switching sides at halftime?

Halftime switching sides is a common practice in many sports, including football, soccer, basketball, and tennis. The reason behind this practice is to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for both teams to play on the same field or court.

In outdoor sports like football and soccer, the sun and wind direction can significantly affect the gameplay, and it would be unfair for one team to face these conditions in both halves. By switching sides at halftime, both teams get to play under the same conditions, and the effects of the sun and wind are evenly distributed.

Additionally, switching sides at halftime also helps to prevent any possible advantages that may arise due to other environmental factors, such as the slope of the field or the location of the crowd.

In indoor sports like basketball and tennis, the practice of switching sides at halftime ensures that both teams get to play on both sides of the court, which can have different basket or net heights, lighting, or background colors. This helps to minimize any possible advantages that may arise due to these factors, and it ensures that both teams get to play under the same conditions.