played every day. I learn new tricks and new ways of winning a point. I practice what I preach here in The Villages in Florida. As a senior, I can’ t out-bang people, so I have learned to outplay them.” She immediately sent me a list of suggestions for older players:
• Stay trim.
• Remain active.
• Get new tools to play. Learn shot variety.
• Get out of trouble with bailouts.
• Slow things down and keep it low.
• Stretch your opponents out— left, right, up, down. Make them move.
• Mix up pace and spin and depth. Keep them off guard.
• Use more lobs to give you time and to get your opponents off the line.
• Work on your trickery and deceit shots( short angles, short serves, second-shot drops, block lobs).
• Work on your core strength / lateral mobility and flexibility.
• Wall work / shadow movement.
• Watch videos / tournaments for inspiration and ideas for motivation.
• Remain hydrated and eat sensibly: fruits, vegetables, low sugars and fats.
• Get plenty of rest and protect your skin with sunscreen and electrolytes.
• Work really hard on resets and slowing down the pace to avoid going to war and starting the battle.“ Cat and mouse” and work the point.
Deb made an interesting point about pickleball, explaining that non-athletes can get pretty good and have a passion for the game.“ They do funky things well,” she says,“ so get people to pick up a paddle and join a group.”
Texas star Hilary Marold practices and plays with younger players. She feels she can get to the NVZ line, so she does not have to hit a softer ball. She prides herself on getting to every ball and emphasized,“ Always, always be ready for the next shot.” She recommends looping more and isolating the weaker player.“ The longer the point goes on, the player with greater ability has less chance of being involved. Go for the point early so that the opponents don’ t hit to the weaker partner.”
Hilary went immediately into strategy for senior players and says that women must do a lot of accommodating in mixed doubles. It is important for her to be steady and not miss a ball in mixed. She is more aggressive in women’ s doubles and enjoys being aggressive. She does not have a set strategy; her strategy“ only changes against different people.” She advises,“ Don’ t be set in your ways. Your mind must stay relevant.
Stay flexible and young even as your body gets old. Joie de vivre.” Hilary’ s husband, Charlie, is a 5.0 player with a more concise attitude:“ If I have to sit on a couch, shoot me!”
Michigan’ s Jim Hackenberg had some very direct advice as well:“ Get a good partner.” He compliments his partners and explains the importance of team chemistry. Jim credits his mixed doubles success to his wife, Yvonne.“ It is 99 percent due to Yvonne,” he says sincerely.“ She stresses teamwork and positivity. Yvonne is big on good eating habits and good health habits to stay in the best possible shape.”
Jim’ s advice to seniors also includes,“ As your reflexes and speed decline, there is a higher premium on good court positioning. That extra step makes a big difference. I encourage Yvonne on her return of serve to hit a high, arching return to give her more time.” He believes in the importance of communication— of talking, of saying“ Yours” and“ Mine.”
“ Know your role,” he adds.“ With Yvonne I am the aggressor. Her role is to keep the ball in play. If I am playing men’ s doubles with a stronger player, I stay out of his way. As you get older you must learn from your past, know your opponents’ tendencies, and do a better job of anticipating shots. Use your experience and know the history of your opponents. Have a game plan. Make sure you have a good surgeon and physical therapist!”
Jim also emphasizes that pickleball is a lifetime sport. His mother-in-law is playing and having fun at 95.“ We look back at all the friendships we have made and how many places we have seen,” he says.“ Now we are teaching our granddaughter and her friends. We never lose sight of the important things.”
There are many wonderful senior players across the country. The common thread I found in these people was productivity. These are people who have been active all their lives. They have learned to accommodate aging by working hard on their physical abilities, their playing skills, and their strategies. They all love the game, and have contributed to making it better for the rest of us. Winners in every way! •
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the’ 60s. She’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional. As a 4.5 pickleball player, she has won gold in Huntsman, NSGA Nationals, US Open and USA Pickleball events around the country. Alice is an IPTPA member, SSIPA founding board member, Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain, Italy and Germany.
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