More than 36.5 million people playedpickleballlast year, according toa reportby the Association of Pickleball Professionals.

A game with a silly-sounding name might seem innocuous.

The main one is a lack of warmup.

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Stretching before and after play can make a player much less susceptible to injury.

Buchanan also recommends clearing your participation with a medical provider.

Johnson recommends a simple stretch to keep your elbow safe.

photo of ohio state’s cotie mchmahon wearing jersey number 32 and shooting a basketball

pickleball coach and certified personal trainer

Using the other hand, gently pull the fist toward the ground while keeping the arm at shoulder height.

To strengthen your tendons and prevent future injury, Buchanan also recommends adding wrist curls.

Lift the bottle using your wrist and lower slowly.

photo of audi crooks shooting a basketball and hannah hidalgo holding a basketball in hand

Repeat with your palm facing down.

To help stabilize the knee, perform 10 to 15 leg extensions as part of your regular exercise routine.

A player must wear good shoes, specifically designed for lateral movements, like a court shoe.

photo of UConn basketball player Azzi Fudd holding a basketball while wearing a #35 jersey

Stretching before and after play can also help alleviate this condition in the long run.

Remove your shoes and apply ice, five minutes on, five minutes off, for 20 minutes.

You might also benefit from wearing a foot compression sleeve or wrap.

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team United States celebrates with husband Hunter Woodhall after winning the gold medal in the Women’s Long Jump Final on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France.

pickleball coach and certified personal trainer

To prevent injury, strengthen your muscles, and recover from a strain, performcalf raisesbefore and after playing.

With your feet shoulder-width apart, rise up on your toes and slowly lower for two to three seconds.

Repeat 10 to 15 times.

coach kara lawson from duke university

He recommends performing a doorway stretch a few times a day.

Stand in an open doorway with arms on each side of the frame.

Keep your hands at or below shoulder height and lean forward until you feel a light stretch.

photo of juju watkins holding a basketball while wearing a usc jersey with the number 12

Hold for 10 seconds.

With their head looking up for the ball, its easy to catch a heel and trip.

This often causes wrist or head injuries, she explains.

This can be avoided by learning a footwork move Johnson calls opening the door.

Slips and collisions

A wet or sandy court can create a slippery surface, catching players off-balance.

Untied shoelaces are also a hazard on or off the court.

Be sure to erase the court of all debrisand stray ballsbefore starting each point.

Doubles players have the added difficulty of working in concert with a partner.

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can avoid mid-point collisions (and allows for smoother play).

For mild, low-grade sprains or strains, Buchanan prescribes R.I.C.E.

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