Secrets to Coaching Senior Tennis Players Over 50 I Jeff Jacklich

Secrets to Coaching Senior Tennis Players Over 50 I Jeff Jacklich

Author: Mike Rogers - Founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked January 27, 2026 Duration: 30:42

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


For competitive tennis players over fifty, the game evolves. The desire to win remains sharp, but the path to victory requires a different map. Insider's Playbook: Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50 is that essential guide. Hosted by Mike Rogers, a seasoned senior tournament competitor and the founder of Senior Tennis Unpacked, this podcast digs into the nuanced realities of competing later in life. You won't find generic tips here. Instead, each conversation is a deep dive into the specific strategic adjustments, physical maintenance, and mental conditioning that give seasoned players a tangible edge. Mike brings on elite coaches who understand the senior athlete, national champions who are still dominating their age brackets, and performance experts focused on longevity. They unpack real, actionable strategies for everything from point construction and recovery to managing pressure during a tight third-set tiebreak. This is for players who analyze their matches, who know their strengths, and who are looking for that next piece of the puzzle to outsmart and outlast their opponents. Tune in to hear candid discussions that feel like a locker room talk with the most knowledgeable players and minds in senior tennis, all dedicated to helping you compete longer, smarter, and with more success.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 31

Insider's Playbook:  Smart Strategies for Competitive Senior Tennis Players Over 50
Podcast Episodes
Calm Your Brain, Crush the Next Point I Brent Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
How do you handle pressure when everything’s on the line? In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, Mike Rogers talks with 21-time gold ball champion and senior tennis legend Brent Abel about performing under stress in tieb…
How to Mentally Handle Playing Better Opponents I Brent Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:57
When you're facing a stronger player—on paper, in the draw, or in your head—how do you keep from losing the match before it even starts?In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, senior tennis legend Brent Abel (21 national…
Coaching Across Ages and Levels I Stephen Bourne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
In this episode of Insider’s Playbook, host Mike Rogers talks with Stephen Bourne, founder of One Minute Tennis, former professional player, and creator of one of the fastest-growing tennis YouTube channels of 2023.Steph…
Grunt Smarter: Relax Your Body While Powering Your Shots | Mark Vines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
In this unique episode of Insider’s Playbook, senior tennis legend and mental-performance coach Mark Vines returns to explore one of the most overlooked tools in the tennis arsenal: the grunt. Far from being just a noisy…
The Best Warm Up Routines I Ben Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:54
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, host Mike Rogers speaks with performance coach Ben Wolfe about the essential warm-up routines for senior tennis players. They discuss the importance of dynamic stretching, engaging…
Managing Nerves and Performance Anxiety I Brent Abel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:39
SummaryJoin host Mike Rogers on "Insider's Playbook" as he sits down with tennis legend Brent Abel, a senior player with 21 gold balls and a wealth of experience. In this episode, Brent shares his journey from tournament…
Simple Ways to Improve Your Game Even at 55+ I Ben Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
In this episode of Insider's Playbook, host Mike Rogers dives into essential winning tennis strategies for players over 50 with Ben Wolfe, founder of Wolfe Tennis Performance. They focus on senior tennis and the unique c…
Insider's Playbook Introduction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:54
Welcome to Insider’s Playbook — your blueprint for smarter senior tennis. Hosted by a fellow senior tennis player, this interview series features elite coaches, top competitors, and mental performance pros who know what…