Although pickleball is easily picked up by most people, you should always be aware of the chance of injury. When looking for new pickleball shoes, you should consider your background and learn more about how to prevent foot injuries in pickleball.
Choose your athletic shoes for pickleball
Although it can be tempting to play pickleball with the shoes you already have in your closet, there are a number of reasons to choose pickleball-specific shoes for pickleball. Athletic shoes are built for specific purposes, and pickleball shoes are no different. Pickleball shoes account for side-to-side movement, pickleball court materials, and cushioning where you will be landing. You can cause foot injuries if you try to play with athletic shoes that are not made for pickleball, or at the very least a similar sport (like tennis).
Don’t always go for that lob
Although it may seem tempting to not let a point go, going after every lob can cause some major foot injuries (and other pickleball injuries). Pickleball players have sprained or broken their ankles, fallen and broken their wrists, and pulled muscles just for going after a lob. When playing pickleball, you will want to pick your battles. You want to be competitive and be a good partner, but no ball is worth getting injured for.
Stretch before you play
This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but you should always make sure you stretch before playing pickleball. While it may not seem like this would affect your feet, stretching your lower legs and ankles will help loosen you up so you prevent foot injuries. Stretching will help you be more nimble and allow you to be light on your feet and get to that next ball.
Practice
Continual practice can make you better at pickleball, and it also has the added benefit of training and conditioning your body for the sport. The more you practice, the better your feet will be at understanding and preparing for a real pickleball game, which in turn will help prevent foot injuries.
Replace your pickleball shoes when they are worn out
Wearing shoes to play pickleball that are old and worn out can also cause foot injuries. You will want to replace your pickleball shoes when you see any of the following: The tread is worn out. The heels are worn down. If the sole is worn down so much that you can see the undersole/other materials beneath it. You’re not feeling as supported or cushioned. When you start getting foot pain you have not noticed before.
Don’t wear your pickleball shoes outside the pickleball court
This tip is important not just to prevent injuries, but is also a good piece of pickleball etiquette to remember. Here are some reasons you should always bring your pickleball shoes with you to the court and change into them there: Your shoes will wear down much more quickly if you wear them outside the pickleball court, which can increase your chance of foot injuries. You are more likely to bring outside dirt or rocks into the pickleball court, which can both cause injuries and cause damage to the court.
Minimizing the risk of recurring injuries
If you have previously suffered from foot injuries like a broken or sprained ankle, broken or sprained foot, or toe injuries, you might consider wearing a brace or tape to prevent more injuries. Although a brace or tape is not full-proof to prevent foot injuries, it can help add support to the previously-injured area. Consult with your doctor to find the best way to prevent foot injuries, especially if you have a previous injury.
Pickleball shoe FAQ: How to choose pickleball shoes
Warm up before every pickleball game
Warming up before every pickleball game will help your body prepare for the unknown of a full-on game. It will also help keep you more agile on your feet to help prevent foot injuries. Some great warm-ups you can practice before each pickleball game: Dinking Forehand shots Backhand shots Third shot drives and drops Serves and returns Groundstrokes
Take pickleball classes
Most anyone can learn pickleball by just getting out and playing, but taking pickleball classes (whether you are a beginner or advanced player) will teach you the best ways to play to prevent pickleball injuries. When we learn on our own, we tend to get into habits that may cause us to move in ways that can injure us. Pay particular attention to your footwork, so that you can learn to move to the ball in the way most likely to prevent foot injuries.
Play with your level
Although open play can include players of all different levels, it’s always the best idea to play with players around your own level. If you are a 3.0 pickleball player and you are playing with a group of 5.0 pickleball players, you are more likely to move in a way that is unnatural and beyond your ability. This could cause you to roll your ankle, pull a muscle, or fall. It’s true that you could potentially get better more quickly when being challenged to this level, but you should not make a habit of playing with pickleball players who are more than a 1.0 skill level above your own.
