What Is the Erne Shot in Pickleball?

The Erne is an advanced shot where a player volleys the ball by jumping over or running around the corner of the non-volley zone (kitchen), landing outside the court boundary to hit a ball that would otherwise be a cross-court dink. It is a legal and highly effective shot that catches opponents off guard and can end a dinking rally outright.

Is the Erne Shot Legal?

Yes — the Erne is completely legal under USA Pickleball rules, provided it is executed correctly. The key rule is that you cannot step in or touch the non-volley zone (including the lines) before, during, or after hitting the volley. To hit an Erne legally, you must either:

Jump over the kitchen corner: Take off from behind the NVZ line, jump to the side of the post, make contact in the air while your feet are outside the kitchen area, and land completely outside the court — not in the kitchen.
Run around the kitchen: Walk or run around the end of the NVZ before the ball arrives, position yourself beside the post, and volley from outside the court.

Note

If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after hitting the Erne, it is a fault. You must establish your footing completely outside the NVZ. The sideline is not the kitchen, so landing on or past the sideline (outside the court boundary) is legal.

How to Hit the Erne Shot

Read the pattern: The Erne works when you anticipate your opponent is about to dink cross-court to your side. Watch for predictable cross-court dink patterns during a kitchen exchange.
Position early: Slide toward the sideline before the ball arrives. Telegraphing your move too early can warn your opponent — but you need to be in position to execute.
Jump or step around: Either jump over the kitchen corner (more explosive, harder to execute) or walk/run around the end of the NVZ (more controlled, slightly slower).
Contact the ball: Volley the ball firmly as it comes across — you usually have a high, attackable ball since it’s traveling cross-court toward your side.
Land outside: Your landing feet must be completely outside the NVZ — ideally on or past the sideline, outside the court entirely.

When to Use the Erne

The Erne is most effective when your opponent is dinking cross-court to your forehand or backhand side in a predictable, repetitive pattern. If they’re varying their dinks or watching for the Erne, attempting it will leave your side of the court wide open.

Used strategically — once or twice per game when the right opportunity presents itself — the Erne is a powerful pattern-breaker. Used too often or telegraphed, it becomes predictable and easy to counter with a straight-ahead dink.

The Erne vs. the Bert

The Erne and the Bert are closely related. The Erne is performed by the player whose side the ball is coming to. The Bert is performed by that player’s partner, who crosses in front of them to hit the same type of shot from the opposite side. The Bert requires communication and coordination between doubles partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the Erne shot?

The shot is named after Erne Perry, who famously used it in early competitive pickleball play. He didn't invent it in a strict sense, but his frequent and effective use of it during tournaments brought it widespread attention and earned it the name.

Can you hit an Erne on a ball that hasn't crossed the net yet?

No — you cannot reach over or across the net plane to hit the ball before it crosses. The Erne is hit after the ball has crossed the net or at the moment it's at the net. Reaching over the net to make contact is a fault under USA Pickleball rules.

How do I defend against an Erne?

The simplest defense is to vary your dinks. If you’re only dinking cross-court, you're setting up your opponent for the Erne. Mix in straight-ahead dinks down the line — a player positioned for an Erne has vacated their side of the court, leaving it wide open for a line dink.

Questions about pickleball shots and techniques? Email [email protected].