INSTRUCTION
The Secrets of Senior Success
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Navigating the autobahn of life in the best way possible is about getting relative with the inevitable at the right time ,” writes Matthew McConaughey in his book “ Greenlights .” This pretty much sums up the constant transitions that senior pickleball players must make in order to stay on top of their game and on top of the podium .
Pickleball itself is constantly evolving . Rules change . Younger players entering the game have backgrounds in a variety of sports . They bring new shots , spins , and strategies to pickleball . Meanwhile , senior players get older . Knees , eyes , shoulders , feet , ears , wrists , and skin are paying the price for years of work and fun . Seniors want to continue playing and playing well . What should they do when the game itself is getting younger ?
First , you should recognize your limitations . If you can no longer run as fast as you once could , do not hit shots so hard that you cannot cover the return . It is demeaning , yes , but if you want to win as a senior , you must accept the fact that placement is preferable to pace . Herb Johnson of Illinois says , “ Us old farts just get craftier . What goes across fast comes back fast — you better be ready .”
Arizona ’ s 5.0 Carl Tietze concentrates a little more on anticipation to make up for the speed he has lost . He positions himself 2-3 feet behind the NVZ line to give himself a little more time to block a hard shot and reset the point . He believes “ a high , looping return always works ” because it gives a senior more time to get to the NVZ line . “ Economy of motion is very important , and you need to pick your shots ,” he explains . “ My wife , Cynthia , makes sure we eat protein bars and hydrate constantly .” Carl also advises having a good knee and shoulder surgeon .
Alaska and Arizona ’ s Carolyn Bagley says that speed was one of her assets . As she got older , she learned that trickery beats youth and speed . She now hits softer and uses better placement . “ I am more consistent , and I don ’ t pull the trigger too soon ,” she confides . Carolyn focuses on making the other person move . She backs up some on the court to see the point unfold , then gets back in to the NVZ line as soon as she can . As a senior , she is working on playing the soft game to set the point up . Carolyn emphasized an important part of senior pickleball when she said , “ I play for pleasure . I say yes to doubles partners that I like to play with , and we have fun .”
By Alice Tym
Hilary Marold and Yvonne Hackenberg are the top doubles team in Women ’ s Doubles 70s at Indian Wells . Both express a strong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and high-level competition .
Arizona ’ s Mark Friedenberg was very specific . “ I use the same fundamentals as when I was younger . I can rip it as hard as the young kids and reset the ball . Feet , eyes , know where the ball is going , keep your head down — it is all in my book ,” he advises . Mark advocates drilling with proper fundamentals . He asks , “ What does dinking as a warm-up do for you ? Start off stroking the ball and move your feet .” Mark does daily weight training and says it is important for older people . “ I work hard . I want to be the best I can be . I am 150 percent better after my hip replacement ,” Mark emphasized as he correlated the relationship between hard work and success .
Hard work is also the key to Deb Harrison ’ s success . “ I have been a teacher and a coach all my life and have 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 ,” explains Deb . 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 .