Sharlene Jerome
Why a proper warm-up is critical:
Phase 1: On-court dynamic warm-up (3-4 minutes)
• Jogging and movement: Start with a few minutes of light jogging around the court, incorporating side shuffles, backpedaling, and high knees to get the body moving.
• Dynamic stretches: Perform a series of dynamic stretches that mimic tennis movements, such as:
Leg swings (forward, backward, and side-to-side)
Walking lunges with a torso twist
Arm circles (forward and backward)
Phase 2: On-court hitting warm-up (3-4 minutes)
• Groundstrokes: Hit a few minutes of groundstrokes with your opponent, starting with slower, controlled shots and gradually increasing pace and depth.
• Volleys and overheads: Transition to hitting volleys at the net and a few overheads to activate the upper body and prepare for volleys.
• Serves: Finish with a few serves, again starting with slower motions and progressing to faster, more aggressive serves as you feel more prepared.
Warming up is essential in senior tennis, because it helps prevent injuries by increasing blood flow to muscles, improves performance by enhancing flexibility and reflexes, and prepares the body and mind for the physical and strategic demands of the game.
The club kicked off the official fall season with our monthly club meeting being held on the first Tuesday of the month in the Lakeview Room at 5 p.m. Rowland’s lessons are back in business. He has graciously offered his time and expertise at 4 p.m. on Fridays, with happy hour to follow either member-hosted or at the Horizon Room. Thanks to James Morgan for hosting the first one at his home! Our first tournament was held at Trilogy on Nov. 15. Results will be forthcoming.
Be sure to check TeamReach for all the latest and greatest, and let’s get moving!