We all share one thing about pickleball; love of the sport. We all suffer when there are issues with the sport, whether it is rules controversies, poor management by a governing body, competing interests that can’t settle their differences, or technical advances that threaten to destabilize the game. Many of these issues can seem intractable, but it makes it even more frustrating when there are solutions available, that are not implemented.
Here’s six changes that would help the sport, but unfortunately are unlikely to be implemented (at least not any time soon).
1. Adopt the Bounce Serve (Fix the Serve Rule Controversy)
Serving rules debates are seemingly endless in the Pickleball community, especially with ongoing controversies over volley and bounce serves. Is there anyone who doesn’t groan when they go to Pickleball Forum and see someone has posted something saying, “Is this serve too high?”
The current service rules are simply too hard to enforce. In addition, some complain that the serve is becoming too much of a weapon (I do not happen to agree with that view, but I respect it). The simple solution is to require the bounce serve (outlaw the volley serve). All problems were immediately solved. Indeed, if we look at other, similar sports, we generally see the bounce serve is the rule (Padel, paddle tennis, racquetball, etc).
2. Switch to Rally Scoring (It’s Inevitable)
This one WILL happen, it’s just a question of when. We may as well rip off the bandaid and do it sooner rather than later. I see no need to debate or explain this one. Just go see volleyball, badminton, squash, etc.
Pickleball rally scoring will reduce match times, simplify tournaments, and create a better experience for casual players and pros alike. Let’s stop delaying and make the switch.
3. Overhaul the Governing Body of Pickleball
The current governing bodies — USA Pickleball (USAP) and the newly formed UPA — aren’t helping the sport. In fact, the leadership gap has become a massive roadblock. The PPA Tour tried cooperating with USAP, but eventually gave up and formed the UPA. That says a lot.
The solution is an enforced settlement. Wipe out both the existing USAP and UPA. Start over almost completely. All USAP board members and management need to go. Their incompetence has been proven beyond the ability of any reasonable person to doubt. PPA should not have to be the one running the amateur side of things. Their focus should be on running a profitable pro tour. PPA’s frustration with USAP is understandable, but let’s move forward in the right way. Take the existing USAP structure, but put in oversight that cares about the sport. It would be easy to come up with a good board. There are plenty of people who have demonstrated they care about the sport. Put them in charge. Mandate that the new and improved USAP then work cooperatively with PPA.
Even better than that would be to have a commissioner of pickleball, who could make decisions and have them implemented. Yes, I’d be really good at it, but alas it will not come to be.
4. Unify the PPA and APP Tours (Pro Structure Needs Clarity)
The PPA Tour is clearly the top professional circuit. The APP Tour, while valuable, operates like AAA baseball — a great place for up-and-coming talent. That’s not a bad thing. But confusion between the two weakens the sport’s structure.
Why not formalize the relationship? Let the APP act as a developmental league for the PPA. Sync schedules, standardize rules, and work together on contracts. This unified system would help players, sponsors, and fans alike.
5. Cut Back on MLP Events (Less Is More)
Major League Pickleball (MLP) has been a fun and interesting addition to pro pickleball. But, like ice cream, sometimes you can have too much. And right now, we have too much MLP. In part due to MLP, players are asked to play too many events, often back-to-back-to-back, player fatigue is real.
MLP is fun and exciting, if done right. Cut it back to twice a year, say February and August. Have a draft in January and another in July. Make the draft a big event in and of itself. Doing it twice a year builds anticipation. Doing a draft every six months gives new players a change to emerge. Have 12 or 16 teams and do a big tournament, for about two weeks each time. Take a break from the PPA season to hold the two MLP events.
6. Regulate Paddle Speed
Paddles are evolving fast — maybe too fast. With current paddle technology, we risk turning pickleball into baseline slugfests, similar to modern tennis.
This is not as easy as everyone seems to think. It is not that it is technologically hard; it is that it is legally difficult. One way to do it is to set a standard and announce that it is not to be implemented until 18 months from now. That way, all manufacturers have advance notice and time to comply. Set the standard so that paddles are slowed down from where they are today. If we don’t do this one, pickleball may one day look as boring as tennis does now; everyone just stand at the baseline and hit it as hard as you can, shot after shot. Let’s slow it down and preserve shotmaking skills. But do it the right way. This one needs to be combined with solution #3, so we are all on the same page.
🔚 Final Thoughts
These six changes — from paddle regulation to pickleball scoring updates — could define the future of the game. Unfortunately, too many egos, legal barriers, and institutional dysfunctions stand in the way. Too bad we will go through more pains before some of them are implemented and too bad all won’t eventually be implemented.
Still, passionate players and fans are the heart of this sport. If enough voices speak up, change is possible. Until then, we’ll keep playing, discussing, and pushing for the pickleball we all know it can become.
