The Pickleball Clinic
Posts
Avoiding Pickleball Injuries: The 4 Major Keys

Avoiding Pickleball Injuries: The 4 Major Keys

Today's newsletter touches on the #'s behind pickleball's growth, how to stay healthy on the court, and a BIG giveaway!

The Pickleball Clinic
June 28, 2023

Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic newsletter!

Today we explore 4 ways to avoid injuries, the business behind pickleball, tips + interviews, and a special giveaway!

Let’s dive in 👇

The business behind pickleball’s growth is fascinating.

To start…

According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for 2021, 2022 and is expected to have the top spot in 2023.

2018: 2.8M players

2022: 36.5M players

A major reason for the increasing number of pickleball players is its retention ratio (which is also excellent news for pickleball companies).

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the return rate for pickleball players is much higher than the average rate of those working out.

Why is this?

The enjoyability of the game — as survey participants found the sport 150% more enjoyable than just a walk.

Because of the upside potential in a sport whose user base is increasing significantly, many investors have been attempting to cash in on its popularity and have opened courts in various locations including vacant malls and warehouses.

Pickleball is currently a billion-dollar market and is expected to reach $2.14 billion by 2027.

Here’s what the No. 1 player in the world had to say this week ⤵

A weekly thought from pickleball’s GOAT Ben Johns 🐐

“Hey, bulletin readers! Today is all about injury prevention!

Although pickleball is often a rehabilitation sport and can be played by those that are injured, I prefer to talk about how to prevent injury in the first place, especially if you are a court warrior that plays hours every day!

The first priority is warming up properly. You should have a bodily warmup routine before you start playing. I find that dynamic movements help me the most.

Things like knee ups, butt taps, light running, shuffling, Frankenstein, arm circles, lunge twists, etc. Make sure to get at least some type of movement to get your blood flowing in all the primary parts you’re using before playing.

Second, is stretching, both for flexibility purposes and for recovery. There is never a session of pickleball I play where I do not static stretch afterward. Typically after being on hard court for a good amount of time our hamstrings, glutes, and hips get quite tight. Having tighter muscles over time can lead to injury.

Stretching afterward is also great for preventing soreness. Besides stretching after play, stretching in general to increase flexibility can be helpful in preventing injury as well.

And third is strength. Having strong muscles is preventative for injury as well. I regularly am in the gym strengthening both for performance and for injury prevention. I just would emphasize that whatever strength-based exercises you do you make sure you are doing them properly so as not to get injured by your own preventative measures.

Stay safe out on the courts!

Until next time,

-Ben”

For more from Ben, follow his Instagram here: @BenJohns_PB and check out his awesome trips on Pickleball Getaways!

2023 JOOLA Pickleball Celebration

JOOLA announces their 2023 JOOLA Pickleball Celebration, which will be held at the beautiful Gaylord Palms Hotel on August 28^th-September 4^th in Orlando, Florida.

From August 28-30^th, attend the JOOLA Pickleball Clinics featuring JOOLA Pros and Coaches.

From August 31^st-September 3^rd, take part in the JOOLA Pickleball Championships. Open to amateur players from around the world, this will be a fun, team tournament format.

Rounding out the week on the evening of September 2^nd and 3^rd is the JOOLA Pro Invitational! Enjoy spectating as our JOOLA pros battle it out for $100k in prize money.

Learn more about the event by visiting: www.joolausa.com/pickleball/2023-joola-pickleball-celebration/

🚨 GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨

We’re giving away THREE free JOOLA paddles! Each of our 3 winners will be able to choose ANY paddle they’d like, including the new Perseus or Scorpeus. You can enter via Instagram or Facebook using the links below.

Click Here for Instagram

Click Here for Facebook

Winners will be selected Wednesday, July 5th and announced on social media. Good luck!

Bite-size pickleball is key…

Set your intention before lacing it up for the day.

Example principles:

“keep my backswing small”
“return to my ready position”
“have a positive attitude”
“play slow and steady”

These can fluctuate on who you’re playing with, the event circumstances, and many other things.

The idea is not to complicate your play with extraneous thought, but rather simple principles and goals to work on.

Talking Pickleball: An Original Pickleball Comedy Skit

The Pickleball Clinic’s own Adam Stone and his brother Todd (known as the comedian duo “Stone and Stone” created a hilarious skit about how talking pickleball can sometimes be misinterpreted…

The 4 P’s of Pickleball: For Avoiding Injuries

Pickleball injuries are on the rise…

Here are 4 great ways to avoid being stuck on the sideline:

Proper Stretching

Pickleballers should warm up their bodies with stretches before hitting the court.

"Proper stretching starts from the feet up. And that includes the lower extremities, the back, the neck, and the upper extremities," says Dr. Sanj Kakar, an orthopedic surgeon.

Practice With A Purpose

Don't just spend an hour on the court doing repetitive movements over and over. Mix it up! This will help prevent chronic overuse injuries.

Proper Equipment

An appropriate paddle that's thick enough can help prevent hand and wrist injuries.

As we get older, pinching puts more stress on the hand. Squeezing too hard can lead to increased pressure on the wrist.

Proper Mechanics

Good form when playing pickleball can make all the difference in preventing injuries.

Interview

Aaron had a great conversation with #1 doubles player, Collin Johns.

A variety of topics were discussed including:

How to improve your game
Strategies to implement with your partner
Pickleball stories you won’t hear anywhere else

Introducing Born to Rally’s Stunning 18K Gold Plated Pickleball Beaded Bracelet Collection

This range of exquisite accessories that beautifully blends elegance and passion for pickleball. Each bracelet in this collection is meticulously crafted with the utmost attention to detail, featuring high-quality materials and a luxurious 18K gold plating. The design of these bracelets captures the essence of pickleball, with carefully selected beads that symbolize the sport's vibrant energy and iconic elements.

With adjustable sizing, these bracelets ensure a comfortable fit for every wrist. The lightweight construction allows for effortless wear, making them perfect for both casual and formal occasions. Whether you're treating yourself or looking for a special gift, our 18K Gold Plated Pickleball Beaded Bracelets are the epitome of style and sophistication.

Elevate your fashion game and proudly display your love for pickleball with these exquisite pieces of jewelry.