The Erne Shot: Pickleball's Most Spectacular Move

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The Erne Shot: Pickleball's Most Spectacular Move

What Is the Erne Shot?

The Erne is pickleball’s most spectacular and crowd-pleasing shot. Named after Erne Perry, the pro player who popularized it at the 2010 USAPA National Tournament, this advanced technique allows you to legally volley the ball from outside the court boundaries while jumping over the corner of the non-volley zone (kitchen).

Picture this: You’re locked in a dink battle at the net. Your opponent hits a predictable dink toward the sideline. In a flash, you jump outside the court, strike the ball mid-air, and land outside the kitchen lines - all while hitting a winning volley that your opponent never saw coming.

That’s the Erne. It’s audacious. It’s effective. And when executed correctly, it’s nearly impossible to defend.

Why the Erne Works

The Erne exploits a clever interpretation of pickleball’s non-volley zone rules:

  • NVZ Rule: You cannot volley while standing IN the kitchen
  • The Loophole: You CAN volley from OUTSIDE the court boundaries, even if you’re jumping OVER the kitchen corner

By establishing both feet outside the sideline before making contact, you transform a defensive dink rally into an aggressive attacking opportunity. The proximity to the net means you can hit downward at sharp angles, making the shot extremely difficult to return.

When to Use the Erne

The Erne isn’t for every situation. Use it when:

✅ Your opponent hits a predictable dink near the sideline
✅ You’ve established a pattern of cross-court dinks
✅ Your opponent is focused on the middle and loses track of the sidelines
✅ You have quick reflexes and good court awareness

Don’t use the Erne when:

❌ You’re off-balance or late to react
❌ Your opponent is hitting away from the sidelines
❌ You haven’t established the setup pattern
❌ The ball is too low or too far from the sideline

Setting Up the Erne

The key to a successful Erne is the setup. You can’t just randomly jump out of bounds and hope for the best. You need to bait your opponent into hitting where you want them to hit.

The Setup Pattern

  1. Start with 3-4 cross-court dinks

    • Establish a rhythm hitting toward your opponent’s sideline
    • Keep the ball deep in their kitchen
    • Make them comfortable hitting straight down the line

  2. Watch for the tell

    • When opponents feel pressure on their sideline, they often try to “escape” by hitting straight ahead (down the line)
    • This is your cue - they’re about to hit right where you want them to

  3. Time your movement

    • As they make contact, explode toward the sideline
    • Get both feet established outside the court boundaries
    • Keep your paddle up and ready

  4. Execute the volley

    • Hit the ball on your side of the net
    • Aim for sharp angles or empty court space
    • Put the ball away decisively

Step-by-Step Execution

1. Positioning

Stand slightly inside the kitchen line, favoring the sideline where you want to execute the Erne. Stay on your toes, ready to move.

2. The Split Step

As your opponent prepares to hit, perform a small hop (split step) to load your legs. This gives you explosive power for the lateral movement.

3. Explosive Lateral Movement

Push off hard toward the sideline. Take 1-2 quick steps to get outside the court. Speed is essential - you need to get there before the ball arrives.

4. Establish Your Feet

Both feet must be completely outside the sideline before you make contact. The rules are clear: no part of your foot can be touching the line or inside the court when you volley.

5. Contact Point

Hit the ball at the highest point possible. Since you’re outside the court near the net, you can hit downward aggressively. Aim for:

  • The open court away from your opponents
  • Your opponent’s feet (hard to return)
  • Sharp cross-court angles

6. Landing

Land outside the kitchen boundaries, then recover quickly back to your position. Don’t celebrate too early - you need to be ready for the next shot!

The Bert: Erne’s Cousin

If you really want to impress, learn the Bert - the same concept but executed on your partner’s side of the court. This requires:

  • Exceptional communication with your partner
  • Trust that they’ll cover your side
  • Even more precise timing

The Bert is rarely seen in recreational play but can be a devastating weapon in advanced doubles when both players are in sync.

Common Mistakes

Mistake Why It Happens How to Fix
Foot fault (touching the line) Moving too fast, not watching foot placement Practice establishing feet position slowly first
Hitting into the net Rushing the shot, not getting height Wait for the ball to drop slightly, hit at peak
Opponent sees it coming Telegraphing your movement, poor setup Work on your setup pattern, move only as they hit
Missing wide Over-hitting the angle Focus on placement over power
Losing balance Leaning instead of moving feet Take an extra step, establish base before hitting

Defending Against the Erne

Now that you know how to hit an Erne, you need to know how to defend it:

Recognize the Setup

If your opponent is consistently hitting to your sideline, they might be baiting you. Be aware and consider:

  • Hitting cross-court instead of down the line
  • Hitting a soft lob over their head
  • Dinking short into the kitchen to draw them forward

The Lob Defense

A well-placed lob over the Erne-hunter’s head forces them to retreat and gives you time to reposition. Aim for depth - short lobs get smashed.

The Cross-Court Dink

Instead of hitting down the line into the trap, redirect the ball cross-court. This takes the Erne opportunity away completely.

Drills to Practice the Erne

Solo Wall Drill

  1. Stand 3 feet from a wall, side-on
  2. Practice lateral shuffles outside an imaginary line
  3. Work on quick first-step explosiveness

Partner Setup Drill

  1. Have a partner feed dinks to your sideline
  2. Practice the movement pattern without hitting
  3. Focus on foot placement and balance
  4. Add the volley once movement is comfortable

Live Situations

In practice games, give yourself permission to attempt 3-5 Ernes per session. Accept that you’ll miss some - that’s part of learning. The goal is to build comfort with the movement and timing.

Advanced Tips

The Fake Erne

Occasionally, make the movement toward the sideline but stay in bounds. Hit a regular dink. This keeps opponents guessing and prevents them from anticipating your Erne attempts.

The Delayed Erne

Instead of exploding immediately, take a half-beat longer. This can catch opponents who think they’ve avoided the trap, only to find you hitting the Erne on their next shot.

Know Your Angles

From the Erne position, you have unique angle options. Practice hitting:

  • Sharp cross-courts
  • Down-the-line winners
  • Soft angles that drop short

Final Thoughts

The Erne is more than a trick shot - it’s a legitimate strategic weapon that can transform your net game. But it requires:

  • Patience to set it up properly
  • Timing to execute at the right moment
  • Athleticism to get into position
  • Practice to make it reliable

Start by working on the setup pattern in your regular dink games. Once you can consistently bait opponents into hitting down the line, add the lateral movement. Before long, you’ll be hitting Ernes that leave opponents shaking their heads and spectators cheering.

Remember: the best Erne is the one your opponent never sees coming. Master the setup, perfect the execution, and enjoy one of the most satisfying shots in all of pickleball.

Photo: Pickleball players in The Villages, FL (Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA)

Ready to try the Erne? Start with the setup drills and work your way up to live execution. Your net game will never be the same!