Power, Spin, and Control: The Seven Steps to a Stronger Pickleball Serve
How Troy Akin breaks down the perfect serve into simple, repeatable moves.
In his energetic instructional video “7 EASY Steps to a Powerful & Consistent Pickleball Serve,” coach Troy Akin shows how to transform a hesitant serve into a confident, attacking shot. Drawing from his years of competitive play and teaching, Akin dissects the motion into seven clear, body-driven steps — with a bonus tip inspired by pro players like Anna Leigh Waters. His approach blends athletic efficiency with accessible teaching, making it appealing to players of all skill levels.
0:00 — 7 Tips for Powerful Serves
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Akin opens with enthusiasm, promising to take players’ serves from “this to this.”
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Emphasizes the difference between pros and recreational players: pros serve with power and control.
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Frames the lesson as “seven easy steps” to add velocity, topspin, and depth.
Akin sets the tone like a coach in motion — equal parts motivator and mechanic. His focus isn’t just strength but efficiency: using the whole body to generate controlled power. The serve, he insists, sets up the tone for every rally. Winning points begins before the ball crosses the net.
0:45 — Step 1: The Closed Stance
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Players should adopt a low, wide, closed stance for stability.
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Closed stance lets you “sit into your legs” and prepare to use your whole body.
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Visual tip: think of the paddle as a “flashlight” pointing behind you.
The closed stance gives a foundation for explosive energy. Akin’s “flashlight” metaphor makes mechanics visual and memorable — helping players align their paddle correctly and prepare for a fluid swing. Balance first, power second.
1:48 — Step 2: Load the Back Leg
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“Coil” on the back leg like a spring.
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Maintain an athletic crouch for maximum drive.
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Push off that back leg to launch power forward.
Akin’s athletic background shows in this step. Power begins from the ground up; the legs are the engine. The message: don’t arm the serve — body it.
2:12 — Step 3: Fire the Front Hip
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The front hip and back leg must move together.
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The hip “fires” forward to rotate the body through the serve.
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Compares the motion to Tiger Woods’ golf swing.
This section highlights the magic of kinetic sequencing — one movement flows into the next. Like a golfer’s drive, the serve’s power doesn’t depend on size or strength but on timing. Even before swinging, energy builds from the body’s rotation.
3:02 — Step 4: Make Contact in Front
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Drop or toss the ball a foot in front of the body.
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Strike the ball squarely with the paddle face.
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Avoid hitting too early (left miss) or too late (right miss).
The precision of contact defines success. Akin urges players to reach forward — attacking the ball, not waiting for it. This forward contact naturally adds topspin and depth, creating that “heavy” serve that wins free points.
4:56 — Step 5: Snap the Wrist
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Combine arm drive with wrist snap for maximum speed.
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Synchronize both movements for clean timing.
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Cites Ben Johns as an example of perfect rhythm and spin.
This step blends art and science. The wrist snap is where power meets finesse. It’s the difference between a fast, flat serve and one that dips into the court like a whip crack.
6:20 — Step 6: Finish the Swing
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Complete the follow-through across your body to your opposite shoulder.
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Don’t stop halfway — finish high and full.
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A full finish delivers full power.
The follow-through is a visual flourish — a sign of confidence. Akin warns against “halfway” serves that waste energy. Completion, in form and focus, is what defines a pro-level shot.
7:03 — Step 7: Step Into It
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Step forward legally with one or two steps for extra momentum.
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Use body weight to add “a little extra sauce.”
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Mentions pros like Anna Leigh Waters and Caitlin Christian who walk into their serves.
The final physical tip marries rhythm and power. The walk-up serve transforms static energy into forward momentum — a dance step that adds speed without stress.
8:07 — BONUS TIP: Bring It All Together
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Master all seven steps for greater velocity, topspin, and depth.
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The payoff: more control, more confidence, more wins.
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Encourages viewers to comment and subscribe for future lessons.
Akin closes like a modern coach — upbeat, engaging, and community-minded. The real lesson? The serve is more than mechanics. It’s rhythm, confidence, and connection — the art of starting strong.
Summary
Troy Akin’s seven-step system breaks down what elite players often make look effortless. His method turns the serve into a coordinated chain of motion — stance, load, rotation, contact, snap, and finish — all fueled by rhythm and timing. By mastering these fundamentals, any player can serve with power and consistency, transforming one of pickleball’s simplest shots into one of its greatest weapons.
Step-by-Step Guide
7 EASY Steps to a Powerful & Consistent Pickleball Serve
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Start in a Closed Stance
Stand low and balanced. Keep your front foot angled slightly inward. (~2 minutes) -
Hold the Paddle Like a Flashlight
Point the butt of the paddle behind you — this sets up your swing path. -
Load Your Back Leg
Bend your knees. Feel the weight in your back leg before swinging. -
Fire Your Front Hip
Rotate your hips forward as you push off your back foot. Avoid stiff upper body. (~5 minutes) -
Toss the Ball a Foot in Front
Contact out in front of your body for topspin and depth.
Tip: Too close = weak serve; too far = mishit. -
Snap Your Wrist
Add pop by snapping your wrist as your arm extends.
Practice 10 slow reps to find the timing. -
Finish Your Swing
Let the paddle follow through across your opposite shoulder. (~3 minutes) -
Step Into the Serve
Add one or two steps for natural power. Stay smooth — no rushing. -
Stay Relaxed
Tension kills power. Breathe before each serve. -
Repeat Consistently
Practice all steps together, then slow them down. Master rhythm before speed.
Song: “Serve It Right”
(Upbeat, 1960s folk-jazz swing — cheerful and instructive)
Lyrics
Verse 1
Start with your stance, feel low and wide,
Close those toes, let your balance decide.
Flashlight paddle, shining bright,
Point it back — you’re ready to ignite.
Chorus
Serve it right, let it fly tonight,
From your legs to your hips, make it feel just right.
Load that spring and let it go,
Topspin rolling, watch it flow.
Verse 2
Bend that knee, fire that hip,
Watch your rhythm take the trip.
Hit out front, a foot or so,
Square that paddle, let it show.
Chorus
Serve it right, let it fly tonight,
From your legs to your hips, make it feel just right.
Snap that wrist and finish high,
Swing it smooth and kiss the sky.
Bridge
Step on up, take that stride,
Like Anna Leigh, full of pride.
Two-step, one-step, feel the beat,
Power and grace — your serve’s complete.
Final Chorus
Serve it right, oh serve it bright,
Every motion shining light.
Seven steps and one more too,
You’ll win your serve — the point’s on you!
Instrumentation & Arrangement
Verses: Acoustic guitar + upright bass + light brushed snare; solo vocal.
Chorus: Add piano comping and three-part harmony (male/female mix).
Bridge: Add muted trumpet and walking bass for a jazzy lift.
Final Chorus: Full ensemble with claps and group harmonies for a joyful close.
How the Song Was Created
“Serve It Right” was composed to mirror Troy Akin’s teaching rhythm — each lyrical line corresponds to one of the seven serve steps. The songwriting structure follows a folk-jazz format: 4/4 swing rhythm, AABA verse-chorus form, and internal rhyme for flow (“fly tonight / feel just right”). The lyrics emphasize movement verbs — bend, fire, snap, swing — to make physical instructions musical.
Instrumentation choices blend acoustic warmth (folk guitar) with playful jazz textures (upright bass, brushed drums, muted trumpet). The vocal arrangement reflects community — solo instruction in verses, shared encouragement in choruses. This design invites players to sing along, reinforcing memory through rhythm and rhyme.
The bridge references pro players like Anna Leigh Waters, grounding the tune in real pickleball culture. The melody’s tempo (around 110 BPM) allows listeners to tap their foot or even mimic the motion of a serve in time with the song. For senior and youth players alike, it turns learning into light exercise — music as movement memory.
Quiz
Test your knowledge from “7 Easy Steps to a Powerful & Consistent Pickleball Serve.”
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What stance does Troy Akin recommend for serving?
a) Open stance
b) Closed stance
c) Parallel stance
d) Split stance -
What does Akin compare the paddle position to in Step 1?
a) A hammer
b) A flashlight
c) A golf club
d) A mirror -
Where should most of your weight be before swinging?
a) On your front foot
b) Evenly balanced
c) On your back leg
d) On your toes -
Which professional does Akin cite when describing perfect timing?
a) Tyson McGuffin
b) Ben Johns
c) James Ignatowich
d) Anna Leigh Waters -
When making contact, where should the ball be relative to your body?
a) Directly overhead
b) A foot in front
c) Behind your front leg
d) On the sideline -
What motion helps create topspin on the serve?
a) Snapping the wrist
b) Holding the paddle still
c) Tossing higher
d) Jumping into the serve -
What mistake does Akin say reduces power?
a) Finishing too high
b) Overstepping
c) Stopping halfway through the swing
d) Using a closed paddle face -
What is the final “cherry on top” step?
a) Bending knees deeper
b) Adding a step into the serve
c) Changing grip mid-swing
d) Shorter toss -
Who does Akin mention as pros who walk into their serves?
a) Anna Leigh Waters and Caitlin Christian
b) Ben Johns and Riley Newman
c) Jessie Irvine and Lea Jansen
d) James and Anna Bright -
What overall benefit do the seven steps provide?
a) Better dinks
b) Greater power, spin, and depth
c) Faster footwork
d) More lobs and volleys
Answer Key
1-B
2-B
3-C
4-B
5-B
6-A
7-C
8-B
9-A
10-B
