These 5 Skills Made me a DUPR 5.0 Senior

[@CliffPickleball]

Thank you all for the support! My goal is to hit 50k subscribers by the end of the year, and I need your help to make it happen! Currently, 81% of my viewers aren’t subscribed-let’s bring that down to 50%! Starting now, I'll be releasing a *new video every Tuesday at 5pm EST. let's goooooo!

[@stanmatej35]

be that guy , people want to play with you ! and you are a winner.

[@DanKaschel]

This is good advice in almost anything. Active learning is such a powerful habit. Two skills I would include in this bucket: 1) Don't carry your score with you. Play a point, experience your feelings, then move on to the next point with complete focus. Your narratives will only harm you. And 2) don't make value judgments on your shots. Trust your body, take your shots, and don't let your analyzing brain micro-manage your body. Leave the analysis for drill time. Those have been my focus for the last year or so and it has done wonders for helping me enjoy my pickleball more and stay motivated.

[@CliffPickleball]

These are great habits that can not only improve performance but also make the game more enjoyable. It’s awesome to hear how they’ve helped you!

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

Great video - we need more videos on how us more senior players can transition to this faster paced game!

[@ajscarp1988]

Yessss! I love this guy. Great tips

[@markjohnston7231]

Thanks AJ! You have always been an encourager to me and many others. Hope to see you on the court soon.

[@CliffPickleball]

He's the best AJ!

[@Scott-sm9nm]

@@markjohnston7231 3:40 that advice of when you play against better players to play against them and then get some advice. Such a great and proactive attitude.

[@jbmagic100]

I'm from Columbus too. I went to Eastmoor high. I'm 74 and play five days a week. I live in Los Angeles

[@laotse_]

Good guy here, making pickleball a better game. 70 here - it only gets better. :)

[@badkins13]

Great video! Good info for seniors and not-so-seniors alike.

[@Bergarita]

im 62 as well been playing almost 2 years. These are great tips!

[@CliffPickleball]

Glad you like them!

[@kristannonfire]

Thanks for the great advice! I’m sure you’re a great and patient teacher to less skilled players!

[@CliffPickleball]

Thanks! I try to be patient and work with folks on their game!

[@PTL4179]

I’m 67 and pickup the game for a 2 years now. Everything said is very true, especially when playing with lesser skill opponents, instead of concentrating on winning, pay more attention on the fundamentals. I have a couple observations with respect to 5 Dupr rating. On the footwork, I noticed the split steps weren’t there as it needed to be in lateral and vertical movements. The backhand placement was great but ball speed and height were a concern for counter attack. Again, it’s a great advice.

[@CliffPickleball]

I completely agree with your points, especially about focusing on fundamentals rather than just winning when playing with lower-level opponents. As for your observations about 5.0 players, I think it's also worth considering that not all 5.0 players are the same, especially when it comes to age. 5.0 players in their 30s and 5.0 players who are 60+ often have different levels of speed, power, and endurance, which can affect things like footwork, particularly the importance of consistent split steps for both lateral and vertical movement.

[@DanEwing-po6se]

I've been watching you and the other folks on here and Pickleball Pirates for the last few years. I'm from Columbus as well. I enjoy watching all of the videos.

[@markjohnston7231]

Thanks for watching! Go Buckeyes!!

[@psayer72]

Cbus +1. Pickle Shack is great! O-H...

[@markjohnston7231]

@@psayer72

[@markjohnston7231]

@@psayer72

[@markjohnston7231]

⁠I-O

[@michaelshekianphotography6378]

GREAT tips and insight

[@CliffPickleball]

Thanks for watching!

[@patrickflanagan3727]

Thanks for the tips, great job!👍👍

[@CliffPickleball]

Thanks! I'm happy you enjoyed it.

[@pickleballinwithdave]

Great video!

[@margaretsmilligan9393]

What a nice guy, great advice, thank you

[@35jays]

Great video. Thanks.

[@MeepMeep88]

Be good and be gooder

[@terribreed7637]

Great tips!

[@user-jc6pr5el5g]

Mark, you're a celebrity in the pickleball junkie world with all of your games on KZbin, it's awesome to get your direct insights! You have a great point about working on skills and not wins during rec play - unless one is visiting Orlando and has limited time on a Friday morning to drop in at Veterans Memorial, where winners stay on, losers wait. Then, all is fair, in love, and war, and pickleball...sorry not sorry?! 😉

[@markjohnston7231]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, Veterans draws a lot of people these days.

[@brucehawkinson8901]

I like the idea of having notes.. I have a label maker and put some quick notes right on the edge of the paddle

[@markjohnston7231]

That’s a great idea.

[@sonnynos]

All i got to say is go Bucks!!

[@bfind9]

Mark Johnston is one of the best at the two hand backhand dink and inspired me to do so! Awesome player and tremendous person! Great video Cliff 🤙🏽

[@markjohnston7231]

Thank you. Have we played together?

[@bfind9]

@@markjohnston7231 yes sir at clearone plenty of times, this is Brian 🤙🏽

[@CliffPickleball]

Mark, he's from Asia. You never met him before. He's visiting Orlando soon. Great guy, though 😅

[@bfind9]

@@markjohnston7231it’s Brian from clearone 🤙🏽

[@bfind9]

@@CliffPickleball😂

[@gmont66g]

I agree with the idea of using rec play as a lab for specific shots and also playing the better player, but I'm getting really frustrated lately because: - opponents insist on targeting women or the weaker player, so i get no balls after our serve - partners who can't control their 3rd shot drives (a drop is a foreign concept!), and pop up the ball for a winner My group consists of 2.5 to 3.5-4.0 players and people simply can't drop or dink. Very frustrating. Im at a point where id rather drill than play rec.

[@maximusdussault]

Let's goo Mr cliff

[@Positivecuriosity46]

I’m almost 61. I hit pretty hard coming from tennis. I can slow the game down, but I actually like a faster game. Lift weights daily and eat healthy food. Coffee helps a lot 😅

[@CliffPickleball]

Thank you for sharing your secret with me! I think I'm on the right track.

[@lucecannon]

Go Buckeyes!

[@vincevita6872]

Cliff great ideas for better play... you mentioned left hand but you play righty??? using your left in the 2 hand backhand? at least thats what i think i saw...lol Vince 72 yrs young

[@markjohnston7231]

Yes, I use my left hand a great deal with my 2 handed backhand

[@ocelotarmory]

Where is this facility?

[@CliffPickleball]

Clearonesports Orlando!

[@LetsDinkaboutit]

Very nice information. Makes great sense.

[@cooljazzhd]

Did I miss something or did you fail to mention your name the entire video?

[@markjohnston7231]

Greetings, my name Is Mark Johnston and I am from Orlando, FL

[@79scharf]

I’m curious since you’re a lefty, why did you go righty for pickleball?

[@brianbidwill790]

Great Tips! I like playing the better player idea the best! I am confused though on one matter! You say you are left handed but clearly you are cross dominant and play right handed with a dominant two handed backhand. Why not play left handed? I am cross dominant myself: fine motor skills right handed, gross motor skills left handed, and learning to hit a two handed backhand especially at the NVZ.

[@markjohnston7231]

Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t know about cross dominant, I would just say weird. :). I play golf, tennis, bat right handed but write, throw, bowl, corn hole left handed. I am basically a hot mess. :):)

[@brianbidwill790]

@@markjohnston7231 I would say versatile and talented! 😄

[@JoeFoguth-j7l]

What's the guys name with cliff?

[@gg80108]

Team Shack. The brain is going.

[@JoeFoguth-j7l]

@gg80108 play at clear one?

[@livingdreamssuenosvivos8717]

​Mark Johnston! he's from Orlando, one of the best in the city

[@markjohnston7231]

@@JoeFoguth-j7l, yes I do play some at Clear One

[@markjohnston7231]

@@livingdreamssuenosvivos8717, thanks for the kind words. There are many really good players in Orlando, certainly many better than me. But many of them, much younger. :):)

[@Riker-ER]

👍

[@CaribSea]

Lift weights, hit harder and move better.

[@rayo1371]

great advice and attitude BUT as a fellow 62 year old don't concede ANYTHING to those young guys ... lift weights ( HARD), sprint, work on reflexes and KICK YOUNG BUTTs !! ( jk )

[@gg80108]

If you want to win get a good partner... 62 its downhill everyyear from here. You peaked. Drill? I got enough to play or drill, 74. You aint doing two handed with a bad rotator cuff and slow wheels.

[@DanKaschel]

Naturally, only do what your body allows. But two hand backhands aren't all top-spin drives; 2h backhand extensions/pushes are a great skill for handling serves and drives but won't punish that rotator cuff.