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📄 Episode Description

We all know the feeling: you're at the net, feeling like a pro, until that high, slow ball goes up and suddenly you're backpedaling like a panicked crab. Most of us hate lobs because we're terrified of our own overheads, but the truth is, we're making it way harder than it needs to be by taking dangerous technical shortcuts. In this episode, Jonathan Stokke breaks down why the "lobber" isn't actually your enemy — your overhead is — and shares a simple spacing rule that allows even players with limited mobility to turn that "annoying" shot into a point-ending smash.

✅ Key Takeaways

· The "Secret" Source of Hate: Why your frustration with lobbers is actually a "bad overhead" problem in disguise.

· The Shortcut Trap: Why backpedaling is the "number one" technical mistake that ruins your balance and your overhead.

· The Serve Hack: A simple visualization to turn your overhead from a "swat" into a controlled, abbreviated serve.

· The One-Yard Rule: How getting just one yard behind the service line allows you to cover 90% of lobs without ever needing to jump.

· Predicting the Future: How to "read the mail" and know a lob is coming before your opponent even hits it.

Jonathan Stokke:
www.stokketenniscoaching.com

Stokke Doubles Academy:

https://www.skool.com/stokke-doubles-academy/about

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up / Introduction

01:52 The "Secret" Source of Hate: It's Really a Bad Overhead Problem

05:12 The One-Yard Rule: Cover 90% of Lobs Without Jumping

06:29 The Shortcut Trap: Why Backpedaling Destroys Your Balance

07:31 The Serve Hack: Turn Your Overhead Into an Abbreviated Serve

13:47 Key Takeaways: Lob Strategy + Predicting the Future

16:11 Show Wrap-Up

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📋 Episode Description

Most senior players think they move badly because they're slow. John Craig says that's the wrong diagnosis entirely. In this episode, John — whose "Footplay" system has transformed movement for players well into their 70s — reveals why chasing speed is a trap, and why the real unlock is rhythm, continuous motion, and learning to touch the court instead of hit it. Whether you're stuck flat-footed at the baseline or losing the net battle in doubles, this conversation will completely reframe how you think about your feet — and why your strokes have been suffering for it.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• "Footwork" is the wrong word. It implies effort and strain. John calls it "footplay" — and that mindset shift alone changes how your body moves on court.
• Your strokes follow your feet, not the other way around. If your groundstrokes are breaking down, the problem probably isn't your swing.
• The #1 mistake senior players make: Standing still. Movement isn't about speed — it's about staying in motion. The moment you stop, your athletic switch turns off.
• Learn to "touch" the court, not "hit" it. Soft knees, soft ankles, springboard feel — this is what keeps you light, balanced, and injury-resistant as you age.
• The split step doesn't have to leave the ground. A small weight shift on opponent contact is enough to keep your athletic switch on and your reaction time sharp.

Contact John Craig:

https://performanceplustennis.com/john-craig-director/

http://www.youtube.com/@PerformancePlusTennis

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up - Introduction

02:14 Why "Footwork" Is the Wrong Word

04:09 It's Not About Speed — It's About Rhythm

05:34 Mastering the Up-and-Back Game

08:13 How to Train Movement Without Getting Hurt

13:10 Transition Shots: The Approach and Mid-Court Ball

14:41 Off-Court Training and the Float Like Ali Mindset

17:15 Show Wrap-Up

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🎾 ABOUT SENIOR TENNIS UNPACKED The go-to resource for competitive tennis players over 50 who want to win smarter and compete longer.

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📄 Episode Description

Most doubles players think poaching is a gamble — a wing-and-a-prayer lunge you attempt when you "feel it." Jonathan Stokke says that's exactly backwards. In this episode of Insider's Playbook, Stokke breaks down why 99% of his poaches are pre-planned before the ball is struck, why standing near the singles sideline is quietly killing your net game, and why the real default at the net isn't "hold your position" — it's move. If you've ever gotten burned down the line and retreated to your corner, this conversation will rewire how you think about your entire role as a net player.

✅ Key Takeaways

· Poaching is a decision, not a reaction — Stokke commits to the cross-court before his opponent swings. If you're waiting to "read" the ball, you're already late.

· The math is on your side — 75–90% of returns go cross-court at every level. You don't need to be a mind reader. You need to trust the percentage.

· Your starting position is probably wrong — Standing close to the singles sideline forces you to run to the poach. Move your inside foot 5–6 feet from the center service line and suddenly it's a step and a half, not a sprint.

· Flip the default — Poaching should be your go-to; staying is the mix-up. Most rec players have this exactly reversed, and it's why they never build real poaching confidence.

· Getting burned is part of the deal — Every bad rep is a rep off your learning curve. Stokke's mindset: five missed poaches means five fewer standing between you and doing it well.

· with the wrong pattern just grooves the wrong pattern 250 times.

Jonathan Stokke:
www.stokketenniscoaching.com

Stokke Doubles Academy:

https://www.skool.com/stokke-doubles-academy/about

#TennisTips #DoublesStrategy #SeniorTennis #TennisCoaching #USTATennis #TennisLife #NetPlay #RecreationalTennis

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Intro: Reactor or Decider

01:58 What a True Poach Actually Is

03:50 The 75-90% Rule: Why Math Favors You

07:06 Your Real Job at the Net

09:53 Where to Stand: The Position Most Players Get Wrong

12:45 When to Poach During a Live Rally

14:42 How to Start Adding This to Your Game

17:59 The 4.5 Move Any 3.5 Can Use

19:53 Find Stokke online

20:52 Show Wrap Up & Key Takeaways

🤝 JOIN THE COMMUNITY — FREE Senior Tennis Unpacked on Skool is where serious 50+ players break down matches, swap strategies, and get better together. Post a match story. Ask a hard question.

Find your people. 👉 https://www.skool.com/senior-tennis-unpacked-8081/about

🎾 ABOUT SENIOR TENNIS UNPACKED The go-to resource for competitive tennis players over 50 who want to win smarter and compete longer.

🌐 Explore everything: https://SeniorTennisUnpacked.com