90% of padel injuries among recreational players are due to... poor technique

Painful wrist, inflamed elbow, frozen shoulder? If one of your playing partners regularly complains of pain, this article could save them a lot of trouble. Because behind the apparent simplicity of padel hides a trap well known to professionals: rough technique.

The downside of accessibility

Padel appeals for its friendliness and accessibility. It's played without pressure, without the need for a great sporting background, and without necessarily undergoing hours of training. And therein lies the problem: its ease of access can lead to high-risk actions.

“We have fun from the first games”, we often hear. And yet, according to several physical trainers and sports physiotherapists, Nearly 9 out of 10 injuries among amateur players result from a poorly executed movement or an inappropriate technique.

90% of padel injuries among recreational players are due to... poor technique

A wrist that is too flexible, an elbow that is too stressed

Le most incriminated gesture ? That of the player who hits the ball with too much flexibility in the wrist, often inherited from automatisms from squash or badminton. This hypermobility causes microtraumas which, in the long term, can lead to chronic tendonitis or carpal tunnel inflammation.

The same observation applies to tennis players: broad gestures, powerful and often above the shoulder, are not neither useful nor suitable padel. They put excessive strain on the joints, especially the shoulder and elbow. The result: persistent pain, decreased performance, and even forced retirement.

Take a course to play for a long time

It is no coincidence that coaches insist from the very first lessons on the correct racket grip, the compactness of the gesture or, rotational play rather than forceThese technical adjustments not only allow to play better, But also to play longer…painlessly.

And even if you think you're playing well today, even if you don't have never took a single class, perhaps it is time to think differently: not to become a champion, but to be able to continue playing without getting injured.

The day when “it only happens to other people”

As long as the pain only affects our partner, we turn a blind eye. But when inflammation creeps into your own arm, everything becomes clearer: perhaps one or two lessons would have been enough to learn the right moves and avoid weeks of forced rest.

Padel is not a risky sport... provided you play it with the right technique.
So for your health, for your long-term gaming pleasure, invest in some coursesThis small gesture could protect your joints, improve your performance, and save you a lot of visits to the physiotherapist.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.