When it comes to excelling on the pickleball court, having the right equipment isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Your performance depends on the condition of your gear, which is why proper maintenance is critical. By taking the time to care for your paddle, shoes, and most importantly, your body, you can significantly enhance your game while ensuring your equipment lasts longer. In this article, we’ll share valuable tips that will empower you to maintain your gear effectively, enabling you to play your best game every time you step onto the court.
TIPS TO CARE FOR YOUR PICKLEBALL PADDLE
Your paddle is your most essential tool, and taking care of it will ensure optimal performance.
Clean Your Paddle: Over time, the grit of your pickleball paddle can capture dirt, which will make your pickleball paddle smooth and less effective at putting spin on the pickleball. As a result, you should clean your pickleball paddle from time to time, so that it plays more “like new” and you have the benefit of the gritty, textured paddle surface.
There are a couple of ways that you can clean your pickleball paddle:
- Clean Magic Eraser – My personal preference (which was a tip passed along to me from Senior Pickleball Pro, Steve Kennedy) for cleaning my pickleball paddle is to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Use the Magic Eraser to lightly scrub the dirt away from your paddle surface. Then, wipe your pickleball paddle with a damp cloth. Wipe away any water residue and leave to dry.
- Glass Cleaner and a Microfiber Cloth – You can also use glass cleaner and a microfiber or lint-free cloth to clean your pickleball paddle. Spray the glass cleaner into your cloth and lightly scrub the dirt away. Wipe your pickleball paddle clean and leave to dry. To note, be sure to avoid a heavier cleaning solution, as it may leave a residue on your pickleball paddle.
Change Your Pickleball Grip: Your grip can lose tackiness, resulting in a slippery grip (especially when wet or sweaty), and otherwise wear down, which will result in less support for your fingers and palm of your hand. No one wants to drop their pickleball paddle on the winning point, so be sure to change your pickleball grip from time to time.
Avoid Extreme Temperature Change: Be careful of leaving your pickleball paddle outside or in your car. Treat your pickleball paddle like the prized possession it is and bring it inside when you are not using it. If you leave your pickleball paddle – or pickleballs – outside or in your car, they may be affected by weather conditions. Avoid this needless wear and tear on your pickleball paddle by bringing your pickleball paddle indoors when you are not using it.
Store Your Paddle Properly: Accidental damage, such as dings or warping, can occur if your pickleball paddle is left unprotected. Use a paddle cover or a pickleball bag to protect your paddle while in transit.
Select the Right Paddle: If you are not using proper pickleball equipment, it could lead to more wear and tear on the equipment and unintended injuries on the pickleball court. For instance, if your pickleball paddle is too heavy, it could lead to elbow or shoulder issues. With hundreds and hundreds of pickleball paddles out in the marketplace, choosing a pickleball paddle can be overwhelming. When choosing a pickleball paddle, it’s important to consider the weight, shape, grip size, grit, spin, material, and price. Check out the Pickler’s blog, “How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle by Price, Weight, Shape & Size.”
TIPS TO CARE FOR YOUR PICKLEBALL SHOES
Proper pickleball shoes will prevent injury on the pickleball court by providing support for pickleball-related movements (such as side-to-side movements and lots of small steps on a hard court). Running shoes are better than sandals, which are definitely not appropriate, but court shoes are better than running shoes, as they are designed to support lateral movements and grip, while running shoes are designed to support running forward.
Know When to Change Your Pickleball Shoes: Generally speaking, pickleball shoes or court shoes last for about 60 hours of play before they break down. As a result, if you play pickleball about once per week, for two hours at a time, then you will need to buy a pair of pickleball shoes about twice per year. If you play more frequently, maybe every day, or you are extremely hard on your shoes, then you will need to buy a pair of pickleball shoes more often.
Another way to tell when you need to change your pickleball shoes or buy new pickleball shoes is when:
- You start to feel soreness in your feet, knees, or back;
- You start to have blisters on your feet; and/or
- Your soles lose their tread (and, as a result, you start to lose traction on the pickleball court).
If you experience any of these things, it may be a good time to try a new pair of pickleball shoes or court shoes.
Save Pickleball Shoes for the Court: pickleball shoes are made for playing pickleball—not for running or any other activity. As a result, only wear pickleball shoes when you are on the pickleball court and not for extended running, walking, or other workouts. By only wearing your pickleball shoes on the pickleball court, you will help increase the life span of your pickleball shoes, too! Consider where you will store your shoes to prevent them from losing their shape.
Clean Your Shoes: After each playing session, let your shoes air dry to prevent moisture buildup. You can also use a shoe wipe or spray to prevent dirt from building up on the shoe.
TIPS TO CARE FOR YOURSELF
While equipment care is crucial, the most important thing to maintain is your own body. Pickleball can be demanding, so make sure to incorporate warm-up exercises before games and cooldown stretching afterwards. Stay hydrated before, during, and after matches to enhance performance and aid recovery. Listen to your body; if you experience pain or discomfort, it’s essential to rest and recover rather than push through. Regular strength training, flexibility exercises, and proper nutrition will also help keep your body in peak condition.
Wear Eye Protection: Eye injuries on the pickleball court can happen a number of ways and most of these eye injuries are preventable. Consider wearing eye protection to protect high-speed pickleballs from hitting your eye area or eye socket.
Warm-up: Prior to starting pickleball play, stretch and warm up properly to loosen up your muscles. A proper stretch and warm-up will help prevent injury, such as a pulled muscle. If anything, focus on the high-risk areas of injury on the pickleball court, which include the lower extremity, upper extremity, and head/neck (for further information, see Pickler’s blog on What Are the Most Common Pickleball Injuries?).
Cool Down: Taking just a few minutes to properly cool down can help prevent injuries and reduce muscle soreness, allowing you to play more effectively in the long run. Don’t underestimate the power of a good stretch—your body will thank you, and you’ll be ready to hit the court again with renewed energy and confidence.
Listen to Your body: Do you need a day off to let your body recover? Do you have an injury that is not fully healed? Take time away from the pickleball court if necessary because, if you do not listen to your body, you will likely face an injury that will keep you off the pickleball courts for an even longer period of time.
Learn from a Professional: A professional pickleball coach or teacher can help you maintain good fundamentals and habits, which will help you avoid injuries on the pickleball court. For in-depth pickleball coaching to improve your skills and help you prevent injury, purchase Pickler’s video lesson collection called My Pro Pickleball Coach, which is a fraction of the price of one clinic or lesson, and features over 140 video lessons (over 7 hours of instruction!).
