Troy Akin’s cue: the players who move up aren’t stacking more open-play games — they’re the ones drilling. Open play might give you ~10 dinks an hour; a drill block can give you hundreds, which is how a shot holds up when points get tight.
Troy Akin contrasts gym “genetics” with pickleball discipline.
Troy Akin: if you’re not adding pressure from the serve, you leave easier thirds and free points on the table. Use whole-body weight — transfer from back foot to front so the back foot even comes forward after contact.
Troy Akin contrasts winner-hitting with actually knowing how to win. Watch Roscoe Bellamy and Caitlyn Christian after a finished point: a quick paddle tap and a pause — not a rush into the next serve.
Troy Akin strips dinking down for beginners and anyone overcomplicating it. The swing is mostly legs, not arms — roughly 95% to 5%.
Troy Akin contrasts a 4.0-plus player, who is happy to hit one, two or three balls to earn the way to the kitchen, with a typical 3.5 who sprints up and hits the transition ball off balance, often popping it up.
Troy Akin explains why speed-ups from below the net keep coming back harder, and the simple height rule for when to dink and when to attack.
Troy Akin shares five drills you can do with a partner of any skill level, demonstrated with his 3.5 brother.
Troy Akin’s most-given coaching note isn’t about technique or strategy: use your legs, and bend at the knees, not at the back.
Troy Akin shows how to add depth to your serve without swinging harder: control your net clearance.