Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, drawing millions of players onto the courts each year. Whether you play recreationally or compete in tournaments, your body takes a real beating. Shoulder overuse, tennis elbow, wrist strains, and ankle sprains are all part of the game -- and for many players, staying on the court means finding better ways to manage soreness and support injured joints during play.
That's where CannaTape Sport comes in. Our CBD-infused kinesiology tape was built for exactly this kind of athlete: someone who loves their sport, doesn't want to stop, and is looking for a natural, non-pill option to support their recovery. Shop CannaTape Sport and get back to the court.
Why Racquet and Paddle Sports Are So Hard on the Body
Pickleball, tennis, racquetball, and squash share a common trait: they're stop-and-go sports that demand explosive lateral movement, repetitive overhead and forearm motions, and constant changes in direction. That combination creates a predictable pattern of overuse injuries that sideline players for weeks -- or months -- at a time.
Unlike contact sports where injuries are sudden and obvious, racquet sport injuries often build quietly. A tight forearm becomes lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). A repeatedly jammed wrist becomes a chronic strain. An awkward lunge turns an ankle that's been rolled a dozen times before. By the time players address the issue, they're dealing with weeks of downtime and a frustrating rehab process.
The Most Common Pickleball and Racquet Sports Injuries
Pickleball Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Often called tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis is the signature overuse injury of racquet and paddle sports. The constant gripping, swinging, and wrist extension involved in hitting a forehand or backhand overloads the tendons that attach at the outside of the elbow. Players feel a burning ache on the outer elbow that worsens with gripping, pouring, or even typing.
Kinesiology tape applied along the forearm can help offload tension on the lateral epicondyle and support the muscles involved in wrist extension during play.
Wrist Strains and Sprains
Wrist injuries are especially common in pickleball, where players use a paddle grip much smaller than a traditional tennis racquet. The compact swing mechanics and frequent dinking (the soft short-game shots near the net) can strain the wrist flexors and extensors over time. Sudden jams from mis-hits are also a frequent culprit.
Taping across the wrist and lower forearm helps stabilize the joint and can reduce the sharp sensation that often accompanies wrist strains during ball contact.
Shoulder Overuse and Rotator Cuff Strain
Overhead serves, smashes, and high volleys repeatedly load the rotator cuff -- the group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. Pickleball players who serve aggressively or play tennis doubles in addition to pickleball are especially prone to rotator cuff strain, shoulder bursitis, and impingement syndrome.
Kinesiology tape applied across the shoulder in a star or fan pattern can support the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles during activity and may reduce the fatigue that builds during long sessions.
Ankle Sprains
The fast lateral lunges required to chase down angled shots make ankle sprains an inevitable part of racquet sports. Players on outdoor courts with uneven surfaces or players returning from a prior ankle sprain are at the highest risk. An inversion sprain -- where the foot rolls outward -- is the most common presentation, stretching the ligaments on the outer ankle.
Taping the ankle in a figure-8 or heel-lock pattern provides additional proprioceptive feedback and supports the lateral ligament complex, helping players feel more confident during lateral cuts.
Knee Pain and Patellar Tendinitis
The repetitive knee bending, squatting, and lateral jumping involved in racquet sports creates significant stress on the patellar tendon that runs just below the kneecap. Players who feel a sharp, aching sensation below the kneecap after long sessions may be dealing with patellar tendinitis, also known as "jumper's knee." Kinesiology tape applied below the kneecap can support the patellar tendon and provide feedback during movement.
Why CannaTape Sport Is Different
Most kinesiology tapes do one thing: support the muscle or joint mechanically. CannaTape Sport does two things. Every strip delivers both the structural support of a high-quality kinesiology tape AND a dose of transdermal CBD that absorbs through the skin and into the underlying tissue.
Try CannaTape Sport -- get the support and the CBD in one step.
Each pre-cut strip contains 10mg of transdermal CBD, along with White Willow Bark Extract, cooling menthol, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and Vitamin E. The tape is made from 97% cotton with a 180% single-direction stretch, giving it the same flex and feel as premium kinesiology tapes. The heat-activated adhesive is water and sweat-resistant, so it stays on through a full match in the summer heat.
One roll contains 20 pre-cut strips -- enough for 5 to 10 applications, depending on the area you're taping and how much coverage you need.
How to Apply CannaTape Sport for Common Racquet Sport Injuries
For Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Clean and dry the skin before application. With the arm extended and the wrist slightly flexed, apply the anchor of the tape at the outer elbow (the lateral epicondyle). Run the tape down the forearm with minimal stretch, finishing at the base of the wrist. Apply a second strip at 90 degrees across the outer elbow with moderate stretch at the point of pain for targeted relief.
For the Wrist
Start with the wrist in a neutral, slightly extended position. Apply the tape from the base of the hand across the wrist joint and up the forearm with light stretch. For additional stability, a second strip can be applied horizontally across the wrist as a "donut hole" pattern to reinforce the joint from multiple directions.
For the Shoulder
Apply the anchor below the deltoid with the arm hanging relaxed at the side. Run the tape up and over the shoulder with light stretch following the line of the deltoid muscle. A second strip can be applied in a Y-shape starting at the back of the shoulder to provide additional coverage of the rotator cuff.
For the Ankle
Apply with the foot at 90 degrees (neutral position). Anchor below the outside ankle bone and run the tape in a figure-8 pattern around the ankle, finishing at the outside of the lower calf. This pattern supports the lateral ankle ligaments and provides proprioceptive feedback during lateral movement.
CannaTape Sport for Pickleball: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear CannaTape Sport during a match?
Yes. CannaTape Sport is designed for active use. The sweat-resistant, water-resistant adhesive is made to stay on through a full match -- even in hot conditions. Most players tape up before playing and wear it for 3 to 5 days, including through showers and workouts.
How many strips do I need per application?
For a single joint (elbow, wrist, or ankle), most players use 1 to 2 strips per application. The shoulder may require 2 to 3 strips depending on the taping pattern. Each roll contains 20 pre-cut strips, giving you plenty of coverage across multiple areas for an entire season.
Is CannaTape Sport safe for everyday use?
CannaTape Sport uses hemp-derived CBD, which is legal across the United States. The tape is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and designed for sensitive skin. If you have known adhesive allergies or skin conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before use.
Can I use CannaTape Sport on multiple areas at once?
Yes. Many racquet sports players use CannaTape Sport on multiple areas simultaneously -- for example, elbow and wrist, or knee and ankle. Each strip delivers its own dose of transdermal CBD to the applied area independently.
Will CannaTape Sport show up on a drug test?
CannaTape Sport uses hemp-derived CBD, which contains trace amounts of THC (below the 0.3% legal threshold). While transdermal absorption is lower than oral consumption, we recommend athletes who are subject to drug testing consult with their sports governing body and a healthcare professional before use.
More Than Tape: Supporting Your Full Recovery
For players dealing with significant soreness after long sessions or multi-day tournaments, CannaTape Sport's recovery topicals offer an additional layer of support. The ProRecovery Precision Roll-On 2000 delivers 2,000mg of CBD in a fast-absorbing gel you can apply directly after play to areas that need immediate attention. The Recovery Roll-On 900 is a lighter-strength option for everyday soreness that builds after regular training.
Together, the tape and topicals work as a complete recovery system -- the tape supports you during activity, and the roll-on helps you bounce back between sessions.
Get CannaTape Sport and stay on the court all season long.
Ready to Try CannaTape Sport?
If you're a pickleball player or racquet sports athlete dealing with elbow soreness, wrist strain, shoulder fatigue, or ankle instability, CannaTape Sport gives you a way to support your joints naturally during play -- without pills, without prescription products, and without stopping the sports you love.
Each roll contains 20 pre-cut strips with 10mg of transdermal CBD per strip. Available in black and blue, with bulk case pricing for teams, clinics, and coaches who want to stock up for the season.
