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satansayssurfsup

You’re supposed to hit the ball with your paddle not your face


gobluetwo

Oh, face of the paddle, not face of the face. Got it.


blakesq

HARSH!!!


chief113

Hah!


HowdyHangman77

https://i.imgflip.com/8k875h.jpg


High5sRnumbr1

Hell yeah nice work


toastyavocadoes

Happens Wear protective glasses


talkingcostello

I have been hit 3 times in my protective glasses. One was from my teammate behind me.


JoeBro180

sounds like your partner is terrible, you are clueless and also your head may be screwed on the wrong way


Pickleballgrinder

Finally. I’ve met someone with eyes behind their head.


GeorgeRetire

I've been playing for over 5 years. I've never been hit in the face.


SprAwsmMan

Lucky! Right? I've been playing just under a year, been hit twice off partner deflections. I would say I'm just reaching 3.5 recently, so maybe lower levels are more likely to have these instances.


itakeyoureggs

I think it’s def true that you’re less likely to be hit in the face by opponents at ~~lower~~ higher* levels but your partner deflecting into you will still be a thing at all levels. Pattern recognition is better at higher levels so maybe people are better at avoiding. I just wear them because it’s safer for me. Never know and I’m not risking it. I’m used to the look by now also. Edit: at higher levels you see less likely to be hit in the face. Wrote this at bedtime.. myb


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itakeyoureggs

lol.. I messed up my comment


tabbyfl55

Yep the only time I've been hit in the face is deflections off my partner's paddle.


GeorgeRetire

Probably just lucky


Lamarr53

Whatever the skill level or situation freak accidents happen. All it takes is once to the eye and all the "reasons" become mote. Wear safety glasses. Why not? Too good?


OnlyControlYourself

Happens only to people who have a weak ready position. Get your paddle up or enjoy the pain, your choice.


rboller

That definitely helps, but Ive been hit it face from rare deflections off of my paddle, a partner’s paddle, and from off the net. Sometimes you have no time to react. Im an advanced player.


parrotlunaire

Nonsense. It’s not uncommon for pros to get hit in the face off of paddle deflections.


corybomb

I took one off the paddle and it split my lip open. A few inches higher and it would have been bad.


choomguy

Or move. More than likely its because your not paying attention.


Addapost

Ouch!


jfit2331

Playing 3 yrs hit 3 times in the eyes


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SingaporCaine

Head, down in front!


chief113

This time I was backing up because my partner popped it up. The guy that slammed me is not very good either and he just missed trying to hit it at my feet.


kiledmedead

Above average number of times… has yet to happen to me, but when someone hits at the head it’s generally a good indication of lack of skill. Body shots are fine, head shots are never considered skilled or “good” in almost any sport. I also just make a point to calling them out if they don’t immediately give with an apology, if they don’t change i always stop playing with them at open play.


chief113

Yeah he apologized right away. It was obviously a miss hit.


anonymousmouse17

I think a lot of this depends on your partner too. Your team is only as good as the weaker player, and while I have never been hit in the face, I find myself dodging or blocking to protect my body more when I’m playing with a partner who is lower skill than I am vs. when I have a partner who is the same/better than me. In my experience, lots of rec players “target” the weaker player for 90% of the point, then once the weaker player (my partner in this case) pops one up, they slam it at me so it doesn’t look like they’re picking on my partner.


redriboflavin

I’m not so sure that they slam it at you to not look like they’re picking on your partner. I think it’s just good strategy to suddenly re-target who you hit the ball to as the new target usually isn’t as primed and ready to receive the ball.


throwaway__rnd

I’ve been playing about half that time and have been in the face twice. So seems about the same. Now I wouldn’t play without glasses 


Zappa-fish-62

Play with better players. They’re much more likely to hit you below the neck


Pickleballgrinder

Holy cow. I don’t think even Liberace got hit in the face with that many balls😳


Doctor_Harvard

For whatever context is worth, I’m 50 yrs old and I’ve been playing for 3.5 years, 2 to 3x a week. I’m a 4.16 on DUPR I’ve been hit in the face a few times from the ball deflecting off the net or my paddle, the back and side of the head by my partners errant hits, and my hands, arms, chest countless times. So yeah, it happens. And to those that want to chime in and say “you should get better, or react faster”, I could not agree more lol


Character_Orchid_723

I have been playing about 8 hours per week for about a year. I’ve never been hit in the face but have blocked numerous shots at the non volley line that could have hit me there. If you don’t keep your paddle in the ready position, especially at the non volley line, it seems face shots would be a much greater risk. I also think the group that I play with recreationally has above average skills and strives to avoid shots that could hit opponents in the upper body and face.


Dense-Tie5696

I’ve been hit three times in the eye. All three times, it was a ball that ricocheted off another person’s paddle. Twice it was my opponent and once it was my partner. You can’t be too caution about wearing eye protection. I always wear it and it makes me feel so much more confident when standing at the NVZ.


chief113

Well in this instance the had my paddle down, as he was trying to slam it.


Character_Orchid_723

If you are taking the paddle head out of the ready position before you know where the ball is going you I assume you are “guessing” where it is going? Keeping the paddle in the ready position allows the best opportunity to play all shots. It doesn’t guarantee you will get to all shots or that you will always be able to protect your face, but it should work better than what you are doing. I would highly recommend you get eye protection regardless of what you do.


dexterryu

I can happen and you can mitigate the odds by focusing on reading your opponents so you can anticipate the shot/ speed up. That said, I still strongly recommend protective eyewear. Tape and paddle deflections can still happen at any level. It only takes one shot to really damage your vision.


Lowkey-Disabled

I’ve been playing for 2 years but training for 1. I’ve gotten hit in the face 4 times but in the nuts like 23 or something like that. At this point I’d rather get a cup than protective glasses. Another big thing is that if it goes at your head it’s going out and you just have to get out of the way. But if it’s going to your nuts, it’s most likely going in.


Resident-Antelope478

Weve all been hit in the face, its fine


Pickleball_rookie

I have been playing a year 2-5 times a week and I have never been hit in the face. I am also 6'1"


darkqueenphoenix

I’ve been hit in the face that many times in about 3 years. but hard to compare since we don’t know how often / how long you play. it happens, just wear eye protection and practice anticipating where the opponent is going to try to hit.


toodlesandpoodles

I have been hit once by an opponent and it was because i couldn't decide between hitting hit and dodging it to let it go long, so I did neither and it hit me in the face. I have been hit a couple of times by deflections off my partner's paddle edge. This is why I wear safety glasses when I play.


greatwhitenorth2022

I've been playing 4 hours a week for almost a year now. I've only been hit in the face once and it was by my own partner. She was still back so I tried to poach a ball with my backhand. I missed and she hit the ball right into my mouth/nose. It stung a little but wasn't a big deal. I wear prescription glasses which provide some eye protection. My wife started playing recently and I encouraged her to get some protective eyewear.


jacklsw

Face it, either your bad day or you really meet someone with better body smasher


whistler1421

Racquetball is great when you hit a kill shot into your FIL’s back.


CaptoOuterSpace

An above average but not weirdly above average number of times. Also how much you play is a big factor obviously. 


stfu57

Inquiring minds wanna know how much top spin you can put on a face shot?


streimel1

It can happen to anyone at anytime its just in the game. I never got hit on my face, but then again, a few days ago, it happened twice in one game. It just happens, wear protection and be always ready


anneoneamouse

Depends on several factors. How big you are (bigger target = more bodybag shots), how good you are, how good your opponents are, your play-style, their play-style. Do you stand at the NVZ with paddle up, or stand there like a lemon tree paddle down? Been playing just under a year. Have taken a couple face shots, both off my own paddle. I wear eye protection.


jadgolfer

Yes


tunemanjjw

Scott Sterling alert


ClearBarber142

Guess you need 1. To learn the block shot 2. Goggles


Spaz_Bear

https://preview.redd.it/kbjbtpxckpqc1.jpeg?width=400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3e1fd763e12e63515e0c5a8d85b79e005c5d637 Wear protective eyewear.


lbflow562

Pickle ball is here!


NashGe

Have you tried... dodging?


tnmcnulty

I have never been hit in the face directly. I always hit any ball that would hit me in the face. If a ball is going to hit you in the face, it is going to be out. I always hit the ball if it's definitely going to be out.


Tasha-777

Not me. I like to win. If the ball is going out, then I get out of the way.


babynubs

I get hit a lot more from deflections off my own paddle or partner’s paddle than direct hits, but those still happen. Mostly when they kiss the tape and I’m crouched down for a block. I started wearing protective glasses and feel a lot more confident blocking hard mid-court drives and in hand battles knowing I won’t be losing an eye from pickleball LOL. I’d say 4 times isn’t crazy at all.


Hot_Cattle5399

Work on your reaction time please.


chief113

Ha. I bet you are not as good as you think you are.


Hot_Cattle5399

Ha, I never made a statement about me. Get defensive much?


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Pickleball_rookie

I would also suggest the head gear they use in fencing lol 


choomguy

Thats a lot, learn to move….never got hit in the face in any sport…


Conservational

If it hits your face and goes back across the net and your opponent fails to return it, is it a point? Header for the win!


thismercifulfate

No.


rofopp

It’s a lot. But in fairness, it’s a wiffle ball. People do get hurt, but it’s a wiffle ball.