An Erne is a pickleball shot you hit while stepping out of bounds to the side of the non-volley zone. Because of a quirk in pickleball rules, stepping out of bounds allows you to get closer to the net when hitting the shot. However, it takes expertise to execute the Erne. If you choose the wrong moment for it, you'll leave your side of the court wide open for your opponent's return.
Explaining A Pickleball “Erne”
An Erne (pronounced Ernie, like the name) involves a player moving around the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, to hit the ball. Instead of staying behind the non-volley line, the player jumps from outside the court to volley the ball in the air.
This shot is often unexpected and can catch opponents off guard, especially if they anticipate a return from behind the non-volley line.
The rules of pickleball dictate this shot is legal even though the player is standing in an out-of-bounds position off the pickleball court. A successful Erne is almost impossible to return.
You can watch Erne Perry show you how to execute the Erne in this full video, “Erne Perry Shows Us How To Do The Erne.”
Remember that the Erne is a high-risk, high-reward maneuver. It requires precise timing and athleticism, and if not executed properly, it can lead to a fault or an easy point for the opponent.
Why Is It Called An Erne?
The pickleball shot known as the “Erne” is named after Erne Perry, who popularized it during a pivotal match in the 2010 National Championships in Arizona. Facing “Coach Mo” (Richard Movsessian) and Phil Bagley, Perry noticed Coach Mo’s predictable playing pattern and developed a strategy to counter it. He executed a swift, unexpected move to volley the ball back at an unreturnable angle, successfully using this tactic multiple times in the game.
The name “Erne” was coined by videographer Jeff Shank, who was filming the match. He named the shot in recognition of Perry, who had first brought this innovative move to prominence in competitive play. Interestingly, Perry acknowledges that he had been using this technique since 1993, after seeing it used by another player, George Democolis. The Erne has since become a recognized and admired shot in the sport of pickleball.
How Do You Hit An Erne?
Hitting an Erne in pickleball is a skillful move that combines anticipation, agility, and precision. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to execute this advanced shot effectively:
Step 1: Positioning and Anticipation
- Read the Game: Start by positioning yourself near the non-volley zone line (kitchen line). Pay close attention to your opponent’s play style and patterns.
- Anticipate the Shot: Look for an opportunity when your opponent makes a soft shot or a dink that looks like it will land near the kitchen line.
Step 2: The Approach
- Quick Movement: As the ball travels towards the anticipated spot, quickly move towards the side of the kitchen. The key is to approach from outside the court boundaries.
- Stay Stealthy: Move swiftly and quietly to avoid alerting your opponents of your intention to Erne. This element of surprise is crucial.
Step 3: The Jump
- Leap into Action: When you’re close enough to the ball, jump towards it from outside the court. Your jump should carry you over the non-volley zone.
- No Kitchen Contact: Ensure that during your jump, you don’t touch the kitchen or the kitchen line. Any contact will result in a fault.
Step 4: The Volley
- Strike Mid-Air: While in the air, hit the ball with a volley shot. Your aim should be to direct the ball to a challenging spot for your opponents, often down the line or at an acute angle.
- Land Safely: After striking the ball, land safely outside the kitchen area.
Step 5: Recovery
- Quickly Reset: After executing the Erne, quickly reposition yourself to be ready for the next play. Good recovery is essential to maintain your defense.
Tips for Perfecting the Erne
- Practice Your Footwork: The Erne requires excellent footwork. Practice lateral movements and quick sprints.
- Work on Your Jump: Ensure you can jump high enough to clear the non-volley zone without touching it.
- Improve Ball Control: Volley shots during an Erne need to be precise. Work on controlling the ball, especially while in motion.
- Game Awareness: Continuously observe your opponents’ playing patterns to recognize the right moment to execute an Erne.
- Safety First: Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid collisions with other players or injuries.
The Pros And Cons Of The Erne
| Pros of the Erne | Cons of the Erne |
| Surprise Factor: Can catch opponents off guard. | Risk of Fault: High risk of stepping into the kitchen. |
| Offensive Advantage: Puts pressure on the opponents. | Predictability: Can become predictable if overused. |
| Strategic Play: Adds a strategic layer to the game. | Requires Precision: Mistiming can lead to missed shots. |
| Skill Display: Showcases agility and advanced skills. | Injury Risk: Increased risk of injury due to jumping. |
| Psychological Edge: Can intimidate or unsettle opponents. | Team Coordination: In doubles, can lead to miscommunication. |
| Versatility: Effective in both singles and doubles play. | Requires Practice: Needs considerable practice to master. |
What Makes An Erne Legal?
The “kitchen rule” in pickleball is a rule that determines where a player can stand on the court when hitting a shot. In pickleball, the area near the net is referred to as the “kitchen.”
According to official pickleball rules, a player cannot enter the kitchen (the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net) until the ball has bounced on their side of the court. If a player steps into the kitchen before the ball has bounced, they will lose the point.
However, once you step outside of the court, the kitchen rule no longer applies, and it is a legal shot to return the ball with a volley.
Erne Perry also used to lean over the net and return a volley without the ball crossing the net line and entering his half of the court.
He made this shot until he played against someone who knew a member of the USA Pickleball Association – USAPA (known today as USA Pickleball) ruling committee. His opponent promptly reported the action to his friend. A rule change was swiftly introduced, which meant you had to let the ball cross the net line before striking it.
How To Defend Against The Erne
- Try to return the ball exactly where your opponent hits the ball from or even at their body. This strategy will keep your return pinpointed on an area your opponent will find uncomfortable to reach.
- Don’t allow your opponent to pin you to the sideline. Hit some returns cross-court and force them to move away from the court edge and into the middle.
- Hit the ball low over the net, and dink it if possible to make the shot drop as close as possible to the opponent’s side of the net.
- A lob is another way to force your adversary out of their comfort zone and toward the baseline.
If your opponent does manage to execute the Erne, step back over the kitchen line to give yourself room for a return. If you don’t have time to retreat, stay put, bend your knees, and parry, ensuring you at least put paddle to ball.
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing an Erne
Here are some common mistakes players should avoid to master this advanced technique:
- Misjudging the Ball: One of the most crucial aspects of the Erne is timing and anticipating where the ball will land. Misjudging the ball’s trajectory can lead to a mistimed jump or missing the ball entirely.
- Touching the Non-Volley Zone: A key rule in executing an Erne is that you must not touch the kitchen or its line during the jump or volley. Even a slight touch is a fault, so precise footwork and spatial awareness are essential.
- Overusing the Erne: While the Erne can be an effective move, overusing it makes you predictable and easier to counter. Use it sparingly and strategically.
- Poor Shot Selection: Not every ball is appropriate for an Erne. Attempting this shot on a ball that doesn’t warrant it can lead to poor execution and losing the point.
- Lack of Disguise: Part of the Erne’s effectiveness is the element of surprise. Telegraphing your intention to perform an Erne gives your opponents time to prepare and counter.
- Incorrect Footwork: Quick and stealthy movement is required to get into position without alerting your opponents. Clumsy or loud footwork can ruin the surprise.
- Forgetting to Land Safely: After hitting the ball, players sometimes forget to land safely and outside the kitchen. Ensure a controlled landing to avoid faults and maintain readiness for the next play.
Putting the Erne Into Action
The Erne shot is probably something only more advanced pickleball players should attempt. It takes subtlety, a deep understanding of gameplay, nifty footwork, and great timing to execute properly.
However, just because you may not have reached a standard that allows you to use it correctly and effectively should not mean you are unaware of it and do not spot the signs your opponent is setting you up to use it against you.
