DALLAS, TX – With the current buzz and hot debates surrounding the JOOLA Gen 3 paddle, the Pickleball Facebook Forum posed an interesting question:

If you could make a new pickleball rule that gets passed no questions asked, what’s the rule?

“If you lose any game while playing with a JOOLA Gen 3 in any tournament, you have to pay for your opponent’s registration,” wrote Maurice The-Grease Pickleball. 

“All players must use the same paddle,” said Greg Kahler. 

Now I’d love to see that. After all, it’s not the arrow, it’s the archer. Ben Johns could still dominate against anyone if he played with a frying pan, but an equal playing field at a rec level would be fascinating to watch. 

“White-faced paddles and excessive paddle graphics are illegal,” noted Michael Schroeder.

He does have a point. Some paddle graphics are getting a bit out of control. 

There were lots of game-related ideas as well.

“Server one is always server one,” commented Joanne Welch. 

“All games start 0-0-1,” said Tim Housley. 

Now those two rules would ruin the already strange, yet beloved scorekeeping. 

“Point lost for a banger body shot waist up,” added Norm Cra.

“Net points are a do-over,” contributed Andrew K. W. Jones. 

Others suggested different sports elements to incorporate into pickleball. 

“The kitchen line is just for serves, you can volley anywhere on the court just like tennis and badminton,” said Enest Cheah. 

“I’d like to be able to add volleyball to it. For example, setting your partner up for a smash, so you could hit it twice on your side,” explained Jerry Provost Jr. 

That could be fun. Imagine watching Dekel Bar set up Tyson McGuffin for a smash point in men’s doubles. That would be a show!  

Serving rules were some of the most prominent suggestions.

“Net serves are lets, they’re a do-over like other sports,” said Mike Brown. 

“Bounce serves only,” added Mike Werner.

“Allow overhead serves,” said Margie Hamel Lundy. 

That sounds scary if I were playing mixed doubles. I’d like to veto that idea purely for safety reasons. 

Then, my personal favorite:  

“Margarita stands required at all sanctioned and rec events,” wrote Sean Brim Hall.

Matthew and Camila McConaughey would certainly endorse that choice.

What new pickleball rule would you add to the game, no questions asked? Leave us a comment on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).