Calling all seniors interested in pickleball

Recently, a few senior players have reached out to me to ask, “How do I find other players 65+ for social play?”  Thank you, Lee Brockman, for initiating this conversation.

At my round robins, many seniors ask if we can have a 65+ or a 70+ division, which is possible when I have more courts available.

Recently, the Palm Desert Senior Games Pickleball event was canceled due to low registration.  We must prevent this from happening in the future.  I remember qualifying for the National Senior games three different times and competed in Albuquerque in 2019.  It was incredible.

In league play, groups are mostly determined by skill level, not by age and skill level. Maybe we can expand on age and skill level groups?

The Desert Pickleball League, run by Kim Sholtz, offers skill level play for men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.  Perhaps we can add a Senior division?

Good news!  Kim got back to me, and next season, the DPL will offer 70-year-old-and-up divisions for league play.  70 year olds can also opt to play with the younger groups.  Contact Kim at: futfalt@aol.com

I am reaching out to senior players from 2.5 to 4.0 skill levels, offering to help connect players through round robin play, and through an opportunity to play indoors during the heat this summer.  I recently partnered with the Salvation Army Davis Center, on Landau in Cathedral City, to offer several indoor round robins this summer, and a Saturday morning drill and play class.  Details to follow, but we will have more indoor play opportunities this summer.

The current open play schedule at the Davis Center in Cathedral City (30-400 Landau Blvd.) is 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with only a $5 drop-in fee.  What a deal.

We are currently planning our first indoor round robin on Saturday, June 29 at this venue.  If you would like to reach out to me directly, my email is: mgbarsaleau@gmail.com

There is an app coming out soon that will help you connect with other players, by entering your age, gender, skill level, location, interests, etc.  I will send it out when it is ready.

In the meantime, if you have a senior group that plays regularly at a certain time and/or location, please reach out to me, and I will share in a future article.  If you have suggestions or input, I value your insights.  Paddle up youngsters!

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Make your attacks harder to defend with a shin shot.

Ed Ju demonstrates how he attacks his opponent, Nick, by hitting down, at his feet in this video .  Unfortunately, this helps your opponent to defend, since the ball bounces in front of them, and they have time to soften, block, and reset the drive.

Ed has an epiphany - attack higher, at your opponents shins, so that they must take the ball out of the air.  This is harder for them to soften and reset, and they may pop it up, so you can attack.

Practice this with a partner, and switch roles after you get some good repetitions.  Thanks Ed!  Watch this great video.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Calling all seniors interested in pickleball