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Eyewear, elbow brace, shoes: gifting protection to a pickleball player

Published on October 22, 2026 Edited October 22, 2026 Approx. 5 min

Signed: the Idées à Offrir editorial team.

Illustration for the article “Eyewear, elbow brace, shoes: gifting protection to a pickleball player”
Eyewear, elbow brace, shoes: gifting protection to a pickleball player. Protective gifts for more confident play. In this guide: the principles that frame the topic and the articles to take you further.

Injuries to the eyes, elbow and ankles keep turning up in pickleball studies. This section covers protective gear you can give as a gift. The “Protection and health” section pulls its pages together the way a crossroads pulls together its roads.

The key points that frame the topic

Start with the basics. Eye injuries range from corneal abrasions and lacerations (minor) to retinal detachments, orbital fractures and globe trauma (serious).

On the rules side, here's what to know: a FFT pickleball license has existed since the 2025 sports season (licenses were activated on September 1, 2024). It opens the door to competitions and an official ranking.

The texts spell this out: with the delegation, the FFT must define and apply the sport's rules, organize play in clubs, develop top-level competition and structure the competitive pathway.

One rule worth knowing: eye protection remains optional in pickleball, in casual play and in competition. In 2024, USA Pickleball rejected proposals to make it mandatory in sanctioned tournaments.

The common thread is this: a water bottle belongs in the bag. Dehydration contributes to muscle fatigue and cramps, which raise the risk of injury, especially outdoors in hot weather. Keep that in mind as you read on.

The routes open to you

Scan the list below to find the page you need.

Getting started

Here's the path, step by step:

  1. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eyewear that meets the ASTM F3164 standard, which covers racquet sports, for playing pickleball.
  2. Baylor Scott & White Health advises starting with one or two sessions a week before stepping up play. Keep that in mind for a beginner who's receiving a lot of gear at once.
  3. According to Baylor Scott & White Health, a dynamic warm-up (leg swings, arm circles, a short jog) before playing reduces the risk of injury.

Markers for your decision

To steer your choice, look at the following:

  • A pickleball bag is first about keeping gear organized. Look for compartments for the essentials (wallet, keys, water bottle, sweat towel) and room for a water bottle.
  • In 2024, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommended that pickleball eyewear meet the ASTM F3134 standard, presented as the current benchmark for most racquet sports.
  • Court shoes give the ankle support and sole grip pickleball demands, unlike running shoes. Unsuitable shoes raise the risk of ankle and knee injury.

On the edges of the topic

The data offers this benchmark: a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology on October 16, 2025, based on US emergency rooms (NEISS), counted 73 documented eye injuries from 2005 to 2024, 33 of them in 2024. After weighting, that comes to about 1,262 estimated cases nationwide in 2024.

On the data map, about 70% of the pickleball eye injuries recorded involved players aged 50 and over. The average age of those injured was 54.

On the data map, in this analysis, 43% of eye injuries came from a direct hit by the ball, 28% from falls and 12% from paddle strikes.

Pitfalls along the way

Watch out for this one: ordinary prescription glasses or sunglasses don't protect the eyes well enough in pickleball. They can shatter more easily, and glasses without lenses should be avoided, because you need a real physical barrier in front of the eye. Treat it as a warning sign as you go on.

Also worth a look

The picture gets sharper with the points below.

  • In early 2026, pickleball had close to 30,000 players in France, about 3,500 of them FFT license holders, and 850 clubs offered the sport.
  • "Pickleball elbow" comes from repeated wrist and arm movements that strain the tendons and cause inflammation on the outside of the elbow.
  • The Fédération française de tennis (FFT) received the delegation for pickleball from the Ministry of Sports, which gives it charge of organizing the sport in France. The announcement came on January 2, 2026.

On the same topic

Sources cited

The advice on protection (eyes, joints, shoes) is general in nature and doesn't replace the advice of a doctor or health professional.

The equipment approval rules cited come mainly from USA Pickleball. In France, the FFT has set the official framework since 2026: check the requirements before giving gear meant for competition.

Our fact-checking.

  • This article cites 8 sources: 3 reference bodies and 4 specialist or general news articles.
  • Facts checked against their sources on October 19, 2026.
  • The method we follow: Nos engagements.