Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50 cover art

Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50

Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50

By: Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked
Listen for free

About this listen

If you’re over 50 and still driven by competition, Insider’s Playbook is built for you. This podcast goes beyond generic tennis advice and into the strategic, physical, and mental edge senior players need to compete longer and win more matches.

Hosted by senior tennis tournament competitor Mike Rogers, and founder os SeniorTennisUnpacked.com, each episode features elite coaches, national champions, and performance experts sharing real strategies to help you move smarter, train efficiently, stay injury-resistant, and out-think opponents who rely on youth alone.

Subscribe now and step inside the playbook that top senior players use to keep raising their game.

2025 Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked
Tennis
Episodes
  • The #1 Doubles Formation for Players Over 50 I Will Boucek
    Feb 10 2026

    Is the I-Formation killing your legs? In this strategy session, doubles expert Will Boucek explains why traditional pro-level tactics might be hurting your senior game—and what you should do instead.

    We break down the Australian Formation: why it's the perfect alternative to the I-Formation, how it forces opponents to change their returns without forcing you to sprint, and exactly when to deploy it to disrupt the other team's rhythm.

    Will Boucek is the founder of Tennis Tribe (launched in 2016) and host of the Doubles Only Podcast. With over 20 years of experience as a player, coach, and analyst, Will has worked directly with top-10 ATP & WTA teams to refine their doubles strategy.

    Contact Will Boucek:

    email: Will@thetennistribe.com

    Doubles Only Podcast: https://thetennistribe.com/podcast/

    The Tennis Tribe Website: https://thetennistribe.com/

    How to Win at 40+ Doubles Cheat Sheet: https://thetennistribe.com/40-cheatsheet/

    Chapter Timeline with Takeaways

    00:00 - Intro: The Problem with Pro Strategies

    · Takeaway: What works for Nadal doesn't work for senior club players. We need tactics for our reality.

    02:15 - I-Formation vs. Australian: What’s the Difference?

    · Takeaway: The I-Formation requires explosive movement and crouching (hard on knees). The Australian formation places is much easier on the body.

    06:40 - Why the "I-Formation" Fails for Seniors

    · Takeaway: It leaves too much court open if you aren't fast enough to cover the "pop-up." It relies on speed you might no longer have.

    10:30 - The "Australian" Advantage (Low Risk, High Reward)

    · Takeaway: By standing in the middle/cross-court, you force the returner to hit down the line (a harder shot) without needing to sprint yourself.

    15:45 - How to Signaling Your Partner (Without Getting Confused)

    · Takeaway: Keep it simple. Hand signals should indicate where the server is serving and where the net player is moving.

    21:20 - Countering the Lob

    · Takeaway: Seniors fear the lob. In Australian formation, you are already slightly further back, making the overhead smash easier to reach than from a tight net position.

    26:10 - Final Verdict: When to Switch Formations

    · Takeaway: Don't do it every point. Use it on "big points" (30-30, Deuce) to disrupt the returner's rhythm.

    About Senior Tennis Unpacked
    Senior Tennis Unpacked brings you four ways to stay sharp and inspired on court:

    · Changeover Blog - weekly articles with insights, stories, and strategies for senior players

    · Insider’s Playbook - expert interview series with coaches, champions, and performance pros

    · Gold Ball Tennis – Senior tennis tips and occasional stories from my personal journey chasing national titles.

    Explore it all at https://SeniorTennisUnpacked.com

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Stop Playing 'Old Man' Tennis (Modern Strategy Over 50) I Jeff Jacklich
    Feb 3 2026

    Summary

    Are you playing with 1980s tactics in 2026? Senior coach Jeff Jacklich explains how to adopt modern tennis strategy to win matches without needing pro-level speed or youth.

    In this episode, we break down why many players over 50 get stuck in outdated patterns and how specific "modern" mechanics can actually be safer and more effective for senior bodies. We discuss the myths of traditional strokes vs. modern mechanics and give you practical cues to rewire your habits.

    Contact Jeff Jacklich:

    Email: jeff@jacklich365.com

    Chapter Timeline with Takeaways

    00:54 – Adults vs. Juniors: The Coaching Difference

    03:42 – Why Seniors Need "Modern" Tech (It's Easier!)

    06:10 – The Secret to Modern Power: Lag & Spin

    08:26 – Stop Trying to Muscle the Ball (Do This Instead)

    10:13 – Visual "Hacks" to Fix Your Stroke Instantly

    13:31 – Moving Slow? How Rhythm Beats Speed

    15:49 – The #1 Mistake Older Players Make (Hitting Flat)

    17:45 – How to Finally Break Old Muscle Memory

    20:18 – Win Smarter, Not Harder: Senior Tactics

    23:10 – Is Your Mindset Ruining Your Swing?

    25:02 – A Critical Note for Tennis Coaches

    27:04 – Conclusion: You Are Not Broken

    About Senior Tennis Unpacked
    Senior Tennis Unpacked brings you four ways to stay sharp and inspired on court:

    · Changeover Blog - weekly articles with insights, stories, and strategies for senior players

    · Insider’s Playbook - expert interview series with coaches, champions, and performance pros

    · Gold Ball Tennis – Senior tennis tips and occasional stories from my personal journey chasing national titles.

    Explore it all at https://SeniorTennisUnpacked.com

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Secrets to Coaching Senior Tennis Players Over 50 I Jeff Jacklich
    Jan 27 2026

    In this episode of Insider's Playbook, discover effective winning tennis strategies for coaching senior tennis players over 50. Veteran coach and competitor Jeff Jacklich shares his expertise on navigating the unique challenges of tennis over 50 and tennis over 60, including managing confidence dips, physical limitations, and rediscovering joy on the court. Learn why traditional coaching techniques often miss the mark with senior athletes and what to focus on instead to help players improve.

    Jeff emphasizes building trust, overcoming perfectionism, and staying motivated despite setbacks. Whether you're a senior tennis player struggling to break through or a coach looking to refine your approach for tennis over 50 or over 60 players, this episode offers practical strategies you can start using immediately. Tune in for insights that can transform your game and coaching methods in senior tennis.

    Contact Jeff Jacklich:

    Email: jeff@jacklich365.com

    Chapter Timeline with Takeaways

    00:00 – Welcome + Why Coaching Seniors Is Different
    Coaching older athletes is about patience, real-world application, and understanding long-held habits

    04:02 – When Technique Isn’t the Real Issue
    For senior players, it’s often not the forehand—it’s the fear, the confidence, or the moment

    06:50 – Creating Safe Spaces for Competitive Players
    Trust and psychological safety matter more than correcting mechanics

    09:15 – What to Say (and Not Say) in Lessons
    The right cue can unlock progress; too much feedback can shut it down

    12:30 – Recovery After Injury or Burnout
    Senior players need space and structure to rebuild—not just physically, but mentally

    15:48 – Getting Past “I Should Be Better” Thinking
    Many older players put pressure on themselves that makes improvement harder

    18:40 – Practice Design for Seniors Who Compete
    Keep it relevant, movement-based, and focused on match situations—not just feeding balls

    22:05 – Coaches Who Work With Senior Players Need This Skill Most
    The ability to simplify, listen deeply, and guide with empathy

    25:10 – When a Player Starts Believing in Themselves Again
    Breakthroughs often happen when a coach helps a player see themselves differently

    28:20 – Final Thoughts for Senior Competitors and Coaches
    Competing

    About Senior Tennis Unpacked
    Senior Tennis Unpacked brings you four ways to stay sharp and inspired on court:

    · Changeover Blog - weekly articles with insights, stories, and strategies for senior players

    · Insider’s Playbook - expert interview series with coaches, champions, and performance pros

    · Gold Ball Tennis - my personal journey chasing national titles and sharing what I learn along the way

    · Inner Circle Membership - Senior singles tennis players tired of filling the draw? A community of competitive senior players who want to move up, not just show up.

    Explore it all at https://SeniorTennisUnpacked.com

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.