What the Heck Is an Erne in Pickleball?

Learn How to Hit an Erne in Pickleball.

An Erne shot involves hitting the ball either in the air as the player jumps around the Non-Volley Zone (also known as the Kitchen) or after the player runs around or through the Kitchen and re-establishes both feet out of bounds, just outside of the sidelines.

If you’ve been around the pickleball court for any length of time, you may have heard of an advanced shot called an Erne.

This article will explain what it is, and the best way to use this effective shot against your opposing team.

The Erne shot is a surprise shot for advanced players that catches opponents off guard.

It is a legal volley that uses a simple loophole in the rules to devastating effect.

While it has become immensely annoying to the vast majority of pickleball players, it is an effective tactic when executed correctly.

The Erne shot is one of the many pickleball terms used in the sport.

It is recognized by USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the United States.

As an advanced shot, it requires a high level of skill and practice to master.

Players who can execute the Erne shot consistently have a significant advantage over their opponents.

Why is it called an Erne?

The Erne shot gets its name from Erne Perry, a pro player who was known for using this tactic consistently in highly competitive play.

The term “Erne” was coined by videographer Jeff Shank after noticing Perry’s use of this advanced skilled shot.

It was a surprise shot that caught his opponent off-guard and made it difficult for a quality return shot.

The Rules of the Erne Shot

Here are specific rules that players must follow when executing an Erne shot.

• It is important to note that the Erne is a legal shot in pickleball.
• It is not a violation of any rules, including the non-volley zone (NVZ) rule. To execute an Erne shot, the ball is hit in the air, and players must ensure that they do not land in the NVZ (including on the NVZ line) before hitting the ball. This includes not letting any part of their body or their paddle in the NVZ.
• If the ball is hit after running around or through the NVZ, players must ensure that they do not touch the NVZ before re-establishing both feet on the ground outside the non-volley zone.
• During an Erne shot, players must ensure that they do not touch the NVZ with any part of their body, including their paddle.

How to Hit an Erne in Pickleball

The Erne shot is a cross-court shot that is hit from an out-of-bounds position to return a ball near the sideline.

An effective Erne shot requires the element of surprise, so you should try to use it sparingly and at the right moment.

Each of these techniques requires a different setup and positioning, but they all involve hitting the ball from an unexpected angle and catching your opponents off guard.

#1 – The “roundabout” Erne requires the most amount of time to set up.

You need to run around the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) and establish your feet out of bounds, just to the side of the kitchen.

From there, you can hit the ball mid-air and send it cross-court to your opponent’s side.

This technique requires good footwork, quick reflexes, as well as precise timing.

#2 – The “through the kitchen” Erne requires you to run through the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) and establish your feet out of bounds, to the side of the sideline before making contact with the ball.

This makes sure you don’t break the kitchen or NVZ rules. Then you can hit the ball mid-air and send it cross-court. There are different shots you can make from this position, but a powerful shot is most common. 

#3 – The “jumping the kitchen” Erne requires quick movement to execute.

You start by standing close to the non-volley zone line (the kitchen line).

When the ball is returned, you do a short run and jump out of bounds, while hitting the ball quickly from the air.

You will need to be confident and have a good sense of timing while making sure you don’t break the kitchen or NVZ rules. 

No matter which Erne you choose to use, with a bit of practice you can master a legal Erne.

It’s a great way to complement your dink shots with an exciting move.

It may be an advanced move, but with practice and timing, it can be the right shot for a winner. 

No matter which Erne you choose to use, with a bit of practice you can master a legal Erne.

It’s a great way to complement your dink shots with an exciting move.

It may be an advanced move, but with practice and timing, it can be the right shot for a winner. 

The Role of the Erne in Competitive Play

The Erne shot is a legal shot and although it’s not named in the official rulebook, it’s allowed because the ball is volleyed without stepping into the non-volley zone.

It’s an aggressive shot that adds excitement to mainstream competitive play, and when executed correctly, it can be a game-changer.  

It is often used to catch opponents off guard and win points quickly.

However, it is important to note that the Erne shot should only be attempted by experienced players who have mastered the technique.

At Nationals and other high-level tournaments, the Erne shot is a common sight on the court. 

While the Erne shot can be a valuable tool in a player’s arsenal, it is not without its risks.

If executed poorly, it can result in a lost point or even injury.

Therefore, players should only attempt the Erne shot when they are confident in their abilities and have assessed the situation carefully.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

An Erne shot is an advanced technique and a difficult shot that requires perfect timing, coordination, and skill.

It is not for all skill levels.

Despite being effective at winning points, players must be aware of the common mistakes that can occur when attempting an Erne shot.

Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Faults

One of the most common mistakes when attempting an Erne shot is committing a fault.

A fault occurs when a player violates the rules of the game, resulting in the loss of a point.

In pickleball, a fault can occur when a player touches the net, steps into the non-volley zone or on the NVZ line when volleying the ball, or hits the ball out of bounds.

When attempting an Erne shot, players must be careful not to commit any of these faults, or they risk losing the point.

Timing

Timing is crucial when attempting an Erne shot.

Players must wait for the right moment to jump over the non-volley zone and hit the ball.

If the timing is off, the shot can result in a fault or a missed opportunity to win the point.

To avoid mistiming the shot, players should practice proper footwork and timing until they can execute the shot flawlessly.

Positioning

Another common mistake when attempting an Erne shot is incorrect positioning.

Players must be in the right position to execute the shot effectively.

If a player is too close to the net, they risk touching the net, resulting in a fault.

If they are too far from the net, they risk missing the ball or hitting it out of bounds.

To avoid incorrect positioning, players should practice positioning, where the ball needs to be for the shot to work, and footwork for all three Erne shots.

High-Risk

Finally, players must be aware that attempting an Erne shot is a high-risk move.

Although it can be an effective way to win points, it can also result in a fault, unforced errors, or missed opportunities.

Players should only attempt the shot when they are confident in their ability to execute it flawlessly and when the risk is worth the potential reward.

By practicing their footwork, timing, and positioning, players can execute the shot in different scenarios, and use the Erne as a strategic advantage.  

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