Sock It To Me

Players who are new to the sport of pickleball and are not converts from tennis often show up to my clinics wearing a wide variety of footwear, usually some type of walking or running shoe. Part of my responsibility of enlightening them to the physical and strategical fundamentals required in developing a pathway to becoming good pickleball players also includes a quick education on the correct footwear needed for playing pickleball.

I make sure they understand the importance of both the performance and safety factors related to wearing a good pair of sport specific shoes and how the construction of a sport specific shoe, aka a tennis or a pickleball shoe, provides extra lateral support needed for the multi directional movements we make on the court. I explain that the materials required to provide the lateral support create a fit and feel that is stiffer and more supportive than that of a running or walking shoe. This added support and stiffness can cause discomfort, and yes even blisters.

Because of this, I also recommend that they invest in a good pair of sport specific socks. These socks are designed with extra cushioning in the areas of the toes and the heels. Yes, these sport specific socks are expensive, expect to pay around $10 to $12 a pair on Amazon. But as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for!

So do your feet, as well as your knees and your back a favor and invest in a good pair sport specific shoes and sport specific socks. You will experience more comfort and less pain, both when competing as well as after playing.

Coach Wayne’s top-secret tip!

I actually wear two pairs of socks to help prevent discomfort and blisters on my feet. I wear a thin layer of sock, with a second layer of a thicker sock. This thicker sock is made by a company called Thor-Lo and is specifically designed for tennis. The theory is, if you have your foot in a sock, rubbing against another sock, which is rubbing up against the inside of your shoe; as opposed to your foot in a single sock, which is rubbing up against the inside of your shoe, you will experience less irritation and more comfort. 

Wayne Clark is a professional tennis instructor with over 25 years’ experience coaching players on all levels of the game. Wayne is also qualified in pickleball instruction and is on staff as an instructor with The Naples Pickleball Center and Training Academy at East Naples Community Park. Contact Coach Wayne by email at coachwayneclark@aol.com, or by or by phone or text at 239-450-6161.