Some grimace, others grit their teeth. But in padel, there are also those who stick out their tongues. A curious, often unconscious reflex that can also be found in other disciplines... and which is not without consequences.

An unconscious but common motor reflex

Sticking out the tongue during a precise motor effort is a phenomenon well known to neuropsychologists. Studies have shown that this behavior is linked to the simultaneous activation of brain areas involved in fine motor skills (hand, arm) and orofacial coordination. Professor Peter Hobson, in a 2012 study (Royal Holloway, University of London), explains it this way: "The motor cortex used for a technical gesture can interfere with the orofacial areas, causing this type of mimicry."

This phenomenon is particularly widespread among children in the motor learning phase... and apparently also among some very focused padel players.

A tic that we find in other sports

Roger Federer in tennis, Michael Jordan in basketball, and more recently Rafa Nadal in his routines, are all examples of athletes who have developed highly visible orofacial behaviors. Jordan's tongue sticking out while fully penetrating the basket has become legendary. Federer's was more discreet, but definitely present during extended forehands.

Playing padel with your tongue out: nervous tic or very real risk? Jordan

In padel, a sport that requires precision of movement, explosiveness and hand-eye coordination in a confined space, this type of reflex finds fertile ground.

At the padel, many players let their tongues slip in the effort, often without even realizing it. The multiple French champion Bastien Blanqué – sacred to six times – don't make it a habit, but he also sometimes plays with his mouth half open, tongue slightly protruding. A seemingly harmless reflex, but not without risk. Given the constant proximity with his partner and his opponents, the liveliness of the exchanges, and the speed of the gestures, a poorly placed ball, a poorly controlled racket or a simple imbalance can lead to much more serious consequences than a simple grimace.

What are the risks? Possible injuries and trauma

The problem is that unlike tennis or golf, padel is played in a confined environment, with windows, grilles, reflex shots 10 cm from the face... and sometimes poorly controlled smashes. Result: sticking your tongue out during a match exposes you to a real risk of injury.

The main possible complications:

  • Lacerations : a shock from a racket, a ball or a fall with a reflex bite can cause a serious cut of the tongue.
  • Partial section : clinical cases have been recorded in combat sports or even rugby, where the tongue has been violently bitten during an impact.
  • Hematomas and edemas : painful, sometimes bothersome for breathing or speaking.

According to a study published in The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, tongue trauma accounts for 5 to 10% of oral injuries in sports, particularly among young adults and in high-intensity sports.

Things to do

1. Awareness : this is often an unconscious automatism. Watching match videos helps you realize this.

2. Mental and postural work : a coach can help channel nervous tension differently (breathing, relaxing the jaws, visual focus).

3. As a last resort: wear a mouthguard – a more radical solution, but sometimes used in athletes prone to biting or bruxism.

What if it was an assumed style?

Some players almost make it a signature. Sticking out their tongue becomes their way of channeling intensity. But it must be recognized that, while they may not be dangerous on every point, the “tongue hanging out” style is especially… not always very photogenicStill images of players concentrating, mouths open and tongues out, can be laugh-out-loud funny – except when they end up on the front page of a tournament.

Sticking out your tongue while playing padel isn't just a harmless tic. It's a signal of tension, a documented motor automatism... but also a avoidable risk in a sport where accidental contact is frequent. So to protect your tongue, it's best to keep it... in your pocket (or rather, nice and warm in your mouth).

Team Padel Mag

The team Padel Magazine has been trying to offer you the best of padel since 2013, but also surveys and analyses to try to understand the world of padel. From the game to the politics of our sport, Padel Magazine is at your service.

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