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| LIFE IN SOLERA | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 35 With the explosion of the sport of pickleball in the last few years, fun equipment and apparel is now bountiful. Check out these cool, colorful pickleball items. There are lots more to choose from, as you can imagine. When playing any sport, it is very important to wear the proper attire. Court sports, like pickleball, tennis, basketball, etc. require the player to move side-to-side as well as forward. It is essential to wear sturdy "court" shoes, not just walking/jogging shoes. Walking athletic shoes are designed to move you in one direction – forward. They are simply not suitable for a "court" sport. Our mantra we constantly remind all players of is twofold: (1) NO BALL IS WORTH THE FALL and (2) no backpeddling please. With all of us living in a 55+ community, falls are bad ju ju. Things bruise, scrape and break much easier – and much more severly - at this point in our lives. That's why it's important to have the "right tools for the job" so to speak. You can, however, be pretty darn sporty looking at the same time. We hope you come out to play one of the best sports for seniors – pickleball. It's great cardio and tons of fun while doing it. It's a simple game and easy to learn. Beginners are very welcome, and we get you playing your first day. We play Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings. We start around 7:30 am for summer hours. Please wear proper court shoes and bring water, especially this time of year. We have paddles and balls for you to use. For more information, feel free to contact either Sue Miller at (503) 702-4273 or Sandy Stearn at (951) 797-0991. PICKLEBALL PADDLERS Seniors Playing Tennis Tip #1: You want to have effortless strokes, which allows for maximum control and power with minimal effort. Young guys can stand on their head when they hit the ball, but bad mechanics really show up when you get older. Better strokes lead to better play – and for seniors, fewer injuries. Tip #2: Seniors should play within their abilities. A typical injury occurs when you are hitting back and forth, and a player will run after a drop shot like they are 20-years old. If you are 60, you have to, at some point, realize you don't play like you are 20. Use realistic judgment and know your limitations. Tip #3: Smart senior players realize the body needs to recharge and will play every other day instead of every day. Even the top five players in the world know the body needs to recharge, so you have to know your own time table for recovery. Tip #4: The sooner a senior player starts playing on a clay court, the better it will be on their joints. Not only is it better from a physical standpoint, but it also teaches you to control the ball better. Playing on a clay court also cuts down the heat index because the clay courts are dirt and watered regularly. We don't have this luxury at Solera, but if you can find a clay court elsewhere, it will be a way to improve your game. A hard court will burn the skin right off when you touch it, unlike a clay court. The biggest growth in USTA (United States Tennis Association) tennis is with seniors and super seniors and most of them are playing on clay courts. Tip #5: We've had some pretty hot days, so it's important to play in the morning or in the evening. Those are the best times to play for seniors because you can play longer and don't get drained. Schedule matches at 6 pm because you aren't getting the direct sun and the temperature decreases as much as 10 degrees. No matter when you play, you want to take fluids as you lose fluids. Take in fluids a little at a time, every two games during a changeover. Focus on these five tennis tips for older players to get the most out of their tennis: 1. Work on your stroke mechanics 2. Play within your abilities 3. Make time for recovery 4. Protect your joints, warm-up and work out 5. Develop an age-appropriate game style From Urban Health: Active Health and Safety, July 12, 2021. ~ Shirley Ferguson TENNIS TITANS

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