a side hug just means he's putting his arms around your neck. But that is still a hug
It still means he has an interest in you. I had a friend who would get this huge hardon every time he even saw a girl. A girl hugged him once and felt his protrusion and said "Gross". he didn't mean to be gross or anything it just happened. So after that he only did side-hugs.
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If you want a different kind of hug, try initiating a front hug next time. If he continues to only give side hugs, he might not be comfortable with closer physical contact and it's important to respect his boundaries. Communication is key - you can politely express your preference for different types of hugs to see if he is willing to adjust.