Pickleball Safety - Pickleball Rookie

The “Tuesday Hangover”: Why You Have Pickleball DOMS & 5 Ways to Recover

January 18, 2026January 13, 2026 by Drew Pierce

If you play hard on the weekend and can’t walk down the stairs on Tuesday, you are suffering from “Pickleball Hangover” (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). The mistake most players make is doing nothing—sitting on the couch only makes the stiffness worse. In 2026, smart players are trading ice packs for active recovery tools like Firefly Recovery Straps and Incrediwear Sleeves, which flush out inflammation while they sit at their desks.

You know the drill. You play four hours of pickleball on Sunday morning. “One more game,” everyone says. You feel tired but fine on Monday. But when you wake up Tuesday, your knees are stiff, your calves are screaming, and your lower back feels like it’s fused shut.

Welcome to DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

The 11 Most Common Pickleball Injuries (And How to Avoid Them)

December 7, 2025September 1, 2025 by Drew Pierce

The most common pickleball injuries are wrist fractures, ankle sprains, and “pickleball elbow,” particularly for players over 50. Most are caused by falls or overuse. To stay safe, prioritize proper court shoes to prevent slips, warm up before every game, and focus on balance and core exercises off the court.

Let’s be honest—pickleball might look like a gentle game, but it can be surprisingly tough on your body. Whether you’re a kitchen warrior or a baseline bomber, injuries happen. The good news? Most of them are totally preventable if you know what to watch out for.

Here’s the real talk on the 11 most common pickleball injuries and how to keep yourself off the sidelines.

Avoiding Tennis Elbow in Pickleball: Your Paddle Matters

November 20, 2025June 1, 2023 by Drew Pierce

As with any paddle or racquet sport, players must consider the risk of developing pickleball injuries like tennis elbow. Given the importance of the paddle in this sport, many wonder, “Is a heavy or light pickleball paddle better for preventing tennis elbow?”

How to Play Pickleball at Night – A Complete Guide

November 20, 2025May 5, 2023 by Drew Pierce

With more people taking to the pickleball court, innovation in equipment has become a priority to enhance the playing experience. One tech enhancement gaining traction among a segment of players is the use of pickleball paddles with built-in lights.

These illuminating paddles are designed to make playing in low-light conditions easier and more enjoyable. But how these paddles work, what are their benefits, and what should you look for when choosing the perfect light-up paddle?

Pickleball Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow: How to Spot the Difference & Fix It Fast (2026)

January 26, 2026January 26, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Here is the simple truth: “Pickleball Elbow” is not a unique medical condition. It is almost always Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)—inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. If the pain is on the inside of the elbow, that is Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow). Both are caused by one thing: Overuse. The cure is the “R.I.C.E” method, checking your grip size, and putting the paddle down for 2 weeks so you don’t lose 2 months.

When I first started to play pickleball, it was to avoid the strain that tennis put on my lower back. However, I quickly learned that pickleball is not necessarily better for my damaged sacroiliac joints despite being easier on my muscles. But that hasn’t stopped me from playing!

14 Most Common Pickleball Injuries

November 20, 2025January 17, 2023 by Drew Pierce

I often marvel that NFL players can take monster hits and get back to their feet unscathed. Meanwhile, I’ve pulled muscles getting out of bed, making a cup of coffee–even sneezing! But I digress. The point is that many articles surrounding pickleball being a dangerous sport are clickbait. Or worse yet, these awful articles are designed to undermine the sport’s growth. If you’re living and breathing, you are prone to injury. And there will always be freak accidents. But that said, people who play pickleball are prone to specific injuries. Here are the eight most common pickleball injuries.

Pickleball Glasses: Open Your Eyes to Protection

December 28, 2025August 6, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball glasses can be the difference between a good time and a trip to the ER.

Eye injuries are the fastest-growing injury in pickleball, but they are 100% preventable. For most recreational players, the Gearbox Vision offers the best balance of certified safety and price. If you want pro-level clarity and contrast, the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL is the industry standard. Whatever you choose, ensure it has polycarbonate lenses and an ASTM F803 or ANSI Z87.1 impact rating.

It seems a day doesn’t go by where I don’t see a Facebook or blog post surrounding eye damage caused by pickleball. While it appears the odds of an eye injury while playing pickleball is relatively low, you still might want to consider wearing ocular protection when playing.

The number of people who suffer eye injuries from recreational sports each year is quite staggering, with more than 600,000 cases, including many who go blind. You never think it will be you, but with racquet/paddle sports the fourth largest offender–and with up to 90% of eye injuries avoided by using protective glasses with polycarbonate lenses–why not put safety on your side?

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