You’re at the kitchen line. The dink battle is heating up, and honestly, your adrenaline is pumping. Then it happens. A high ball comes floating in, your opponent winds up for a massive overhead smash, and before you can even blink, the ball isn't on the court—it’s square in your eye socket. People call it a pickleball kick to the face, and while it sounds like a weird martial arts move, it’s actually one of the most jarring experiences you can have on a court. It’s fast. It’s painful. And if you aren't wearing protection, it can be life-changing in all the wrong ways.
Let’s be real. Pickleball is often marketed as this gentle, "social" sport for retirees, but that's a bit of a myth these days. The modern game is incredibly fast. With the rise of "bangers"—players who prefer power over touch—the ball is regularly screaming off the paddle at 40 or 50 miles per hour. When you're standing only 14 feet away from your opponent at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), you have less than half a second to react. If that ball catches a net cord or takes a weird skip, you’re basically a sitting duck.
Why the Face Is Such a Magnet for Trouble
Physics is a bit of a jerk. When a pickleball—which is essentially a hard plastic whiffle ball—is struck with a composite paddle, it doesn't just travel; it oscillates. Most people think because it's light, it can't do damage. Tell that to anyone who has suffered a detached retina after a stray shot.
The danger isn't just the speed. It’s the proximity. In tennis, you’re usually 40 to 60 feet away. In pickleball, you are practically breathing the same air as the person trying to blast the ball past you. A "kick to the face" usually happens when an opponent tries to "speed up" a low ball. They swing upward, the ball catches the top of the net, and instead of going down toward your feet, it deflects upward at a sharp angle. You’ve already committed to your stance, your paddle is low to counter a dink, and your face is wide open.
The Medical Reality of Facial Impacts
If you do take a pickleball kick to the face, the damage ranges from "embarrassing bruise" to "emergency surgery." Doctors see a few common injuries from these incidents.
✨ Don't miss: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
- Corneal Abrasions: This is a fancy way of saying the plastic ball scratched your eyeball. It feels like there’s sand in your eye that you can’t get out.
- Hyphema: This is much scarier. It’s when blood pools in the front chamber of the eye. If you see blood inside your iris, stop playing immediately and get to an ER. It can lead to permanent vision loss.
- Orbital Fractures: Rare, but possible. A ball hit with enough velocity can actually crack the thin bones around your eye socket.
- Dental Trauma: Getting hit in the mouth can chip teeth or, worse, drive your lip into your braces if you’re a younger player.
Most players just shake it off. They shouldn't. Concussions are becoming more frequently reported in the pickleball world because of the sudden, jarring impact of a ball to the temple or forehead. If you feel dizzy or nauseous after taking a shot to the dome, the game is over for the day. No exceptions.
Protective Gear: Is it Worth Looking Dorky?
For a long time, wearing goggles on a pickleball court was seen as "extra." You’d see one person in a sea of fifty wearing them. But the culture is shifting. Top pros like KaSandra Gehrke have been vocal advocates for eye protection after seeing or experiencing serious injuries.
You don't need heavy-duty chemistry goggles. Modern sports eyewear is actually pretty sleek. Look for glasses that meet the ASTM F803 standard. This is a specific rating for high-impact sports like squash and racquetball. Regular sunglasses don't always cut it; in fact, if they aren't shatterproof, the impact of the ball can actually shatter the lens into your eye, making a bad situation ten times worse.
Honestly, if you play at a high level or play with people who have "uncontrolled power," you're playing a game of probability. Eventually, a ball is going to find your face. Wearing clear or tinted safety lenses is just smart insurance.
🔗 Read more: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
How to Defend Your Face Without Being Afraid
You can’t play good pickleball if you’re flinching every time the ball comes near you. Defensive positioning is your best friend. Most players who get hit are "flat-footed." Their weight is back on their heels, and their paddle is hanging down by their knees.
Keep your paddle up. This is the "ready position." Your paddle should be out in front of your chest, tilted slightly toward your non-dominant side. This creates a literal shield. If a ball gets kicked up toward your face, you only have to move your hand a few inches to block it.
Another tip? Watch the paddle, not the ball. By watching the angle of your opponent’s paddle face, you can predict where the ball is going before it even leaves their side of the net. If they are crouching low and their paddle face is open, they are likely going for a dink. If they are winding up with a closed paddle face, get your "shield" ready.
The Etiquette of the "Body Shot"
There is a big debate in the community about "tagging." Is it rude to aim at someone? In competitive play, the body is a legal target. It’s often the most effective shot because it’s hard to react to a ball coming at your chest. However, there is a massive difference between aiming for the shoulder and aiming for the nose.
💡 You might also like: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
If you are the one hitting the ball, aim for the hip or the paddle hip. It’s a winning shot, and it’s safe. If you accidentally hit someone in the face—the dreaded pickleball kick to the face—the standard move is to immediately raise your hand, apologize, and check to make sure they are okay. Don't celebrate a point won by a headshot. It’s bad form, and frankly, it makes you look like a jerk.
What to Do Immediately After an Impact
If you or your partner takes a hard hit to the face, don't just "walk it off" to stay tough. There’s a protocol you should follow to make sure everything is actually okay.
- Check Vision: Ask the person if they see double or if their vision is blurry. If things look "wavy," that’s a sign of a serious eye injury.
- Ice Immediately: Facial skin is thin and bruises easily. Getting cold on the area fast can prevent the "black eye" look that will last for two weeks.
- Monitor for Concussion: Ask simple questions. What’s the score? What day is it? If there's any confusion, they need to sit out.
- The "Flash" Test: If the person starts seeing "flashes of light" or "floaters" (dark spots drifting in their vision) even an hour after the hit, they need to see an ophthalmologist. This can be a sign of a retinal tear.
Pickleball is supposed to be fun, but it’s still an athletic endeavor with real risks. We are seeing more injuries simply because more people are playing, and they are playing harder than ever before. It's okay to be the person on the court wearing "nerdy" glasses. It’s a lot better than being the person in the waiting room at the eye clinic.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Match
- Audit your gear: Check if your current sunglasses are "shatterproof" or just plastic. If they aren't safety-rated, consider swapping them for a pair of $20 sports goggles.
- Practice the "Salami Block": Work on keeping your paddle vertical in front of your face during dink rallies. It’s a specialized defensive move designed specifically to stop "pop-ups" from hitting your chin or eyes.
- Set boundaries: If you're playing a casual "rec" game and someone is hitting dangerously hard at your head, it’s perfectly fine to tell them to dial it back or find a different court. Safety isn't optional.
- Carry a cold pack: Keep an instant-activation cold pack in your pickleball bag. You’ll likely use it on someone else before you ever use it on yourself, but you'll be the hero of the court when that stray ball finally finds its mark.