Learn the exciting Erne shot—a crowd-pleasing move that puts you outside the court to attack from unexpected angles while staying within the rules.

The Erne Shot Explained: How to Execute It Legally

The Erne shot is pickleball's version of a highlight-reel play. It's exciting, unexpected, and when executed correctly, can end points immediately. But it's also one of the most misunderstood shots in the game.

Named after Erne Perry, who popularized the move, the Erne involves jumping or reaching outside the non-volley zone (kitchen) to hit a volley before the ball bounces. Done correctly, it's legal and devastating. Done incorrectly, it's a fault.

Here's everything you need to know about executing the perfect Erne.

What Is an Erne?

Definition: An Erne is a volley hit from outside the sideline of the non-volley zone, outside the court boundaries, where the player hits the ball before it bounces.

Why It Works:

Catches opponents completely off guard
Creates an impossible angle to defend
Puts you in position to hit down on the ball
The element of surprise often wins the point outright
Even if they return it, you're in a dominant position

The Element of Surprise: Most players expect you to hit from inside the court. When you suddenly appear outside the sideline, hitting down at a sharp angle, they have no time to react.

The Rules of the Erne

Legal Requirements:

Both feet must be outside the non-volley zone
- You cannot be touching the kitchen line or inside the kitchen
- Both feet must be completely outside the sideline
You must be outside the court boundaries
- Around the net post or outside the sideline
- You cannot execute an Erne from inside the court lines
You must hit the ball before it bounces
- If the ball bounces, it's no longer an Erne—it's just a groundstroke
- The timing is crucial

Common Faults:

Foot fault: Any part of your foot touches the kitchen or kitchen line
Court position: Not getting completely outside the court boundaries
Timing: Hitting the ball after it bounces
Interference: Blocking your opponent's view or path (rare, but possible)

The Key Distinction: The Erne is legal because you're volleying from outside the kitchen. The kitchen rule prohibits volleys from inside the kitchen, not from outside it—even if you're outside the court.

When to Hit an Erne

The Setup: You need a specific type of shot from your opponent to execute an Erne:

The ball is hit wide toward the sideline
- Your opponent hits a cross-court dink or drive
- The ball travels close to the sideline
- You have room to get outside the court
The ball has enough pace
- A soft dink might not give you time to get outside
- You need a ball with some speed to volley
You're at the kitchen line
- The Erne is a net play
- You can't execute it from the baseline

The Opportunity Window: The Erne works best when:

Your opponent hits a predictable cross-court shot
You're positioned at the net
You have time to move outside
The angle is sharp enough to be a winner

When NOT to Hit an Erne:

When the ball is hit down the line
When you're too far back from the net
When your opponent sees it coming
When you'd have to reach too far
When a simple volley would be more effective

How to Execute the Erne

Step 1: Read the Shot As soon as your opponent hits the ball, recognize that it's going wide. You have milliseconds to decide, so anticipation is key.

Step 2: Move Outside Push off with your outside foot and step (or jump) outside the sideline. You need to clear the non-volley zone entirely.

Key points:

Move explosively
Get both feet completely outside the line
Stay low—don't straighten up
Keep your eyes on the ball

Step 3: Position for the Volley

Paddle up and ready
Body turned sideways (open stance)
Weight balanced or slightly forward
Eyes on the ball

Step 4: Hit the Volley

Contact the ball in front of your body
Hit down on the ball—use the sharp angle
Aim for the open court or at your opponent's feet
Firm wrist, short backswing

Step 5: Land Safely

Land outside the court
Make sure you don't fall back into the kitchen
Regain your balance
Get back into position for the next shot (if there is one)

The Two Types of Ernes

Type 1: The Sideline Erne

Setup: The ball is hit wide down the sideline or at a sharp angle cross-court.

Execution:

Step outside the sideline
Volley the ball back cross-court
Use the sharp angle to create an impossible return

Target:

Cross-court to the opposite corner
Sharp angle that lands in the kitchen
Force your opponent to cover the entire diagonal

Type 2: The Around-the-Post Erne

Setup: The ball is hit so wide that it travels outside the sideline, around the net post.

Execution:

Move outside the court, around the net post
Hit the ball on your side before it bounces
The ball travels back into the court at a sharp angle

Why It's Legal: The ball doesn't have to go over the net. It can travel around the net post and still land in the opponent's court.

Difficulty: This is harder to execute because:

The ball is farther from you
The angle is sharper
You have less time
The margin for error is smaller

Practice Drills for the Erne

Drill 1: Movement Without the Ball

Practice stepping outside the sideline
Work on balance and positioning
Do 10-15 repetitions per side
Focus on staying low and keeping your paddle up

Drill 2: Coach Feeds

Coach stands across the net and feeds balls wide
You practice moving outside and volleying
Start with easy feeds, increase difficulty
Focus on legal execution

Drill 3: Live Dinking with Erne Opportunities

Dink normally with a partner
When they hit a wide ball, execute the Erne
Your partner tries to return it (if possible)
This simulates game conditions

Drill 4: The Around-the-Post Challenge

Coach hits balls intentionally wide around the post
You move around and try to execute the around-the-post Erne
This is advanced—master the sideline Erne first

Drill 5: Erne Defense

Practice defending against an Erne
Learn to anticipate when opponents might try it
Work on court coverage when your partner is out of position

Common Erne Mistakes

Mistake 1: Foot Faults Not getting completely outside the kitchen line. Even a toe on the line is a fault.

Fix: Practice your footwork. When in doubt, jump higher or step wider. Better to be too far outside than too close.

Mistake 2: Hitting After the Bounce Waiting too long and letting the ball bounce before you hit it.

Fix: Move faster and commit to the volley. If you're not sure you can get there in time, don't try the Erne.

Mistake 3: Poor Positioning Being off-balance or poorly positioned when you hit the volley.

Fix: Practice the movement pattern. You should be balanced and ready when you make contact.

Mistake 4: Telegraphing Moving too early or obviously, giving away your intentions.

Fix: Stay neutral until the last possible moment. Don't lean or shift your weight until you're sure the ball is going wide.

Mistake 5: Forcing It Trying to hit an Erne on balls that aren't wide enough or fast enough.

Fix: Be selective. Only go for it when the opportunity is clear. A regular volley is often better than a forced Erne.

Defending Against the Erne

Anticipation: Watch for the setup:

You're hitting wide cross-court dinks
The opponent is moving toward the sideline
They're positioned aggressively at the net

Positioning:

Don't get pulled too wide
Stay central when possible
Force them to hit through you, not around you

Counter-Strategy:

Hit down the line occasionally to keep them honest
Hit softer dinks that don't give them time to move
Hit to their body when they're leaning toward the sideline

Communication: If you see your opponent setting up for an Erne, call it out:

"Watch the Erne!"
"Ball's wide!"
This alerts your partner to cover the open court

The Psychology of the Erne

For the Attacker: The Erne is exciting. It feels great to execute. But don't let the highlight-reel mentality lead you into mistakes.

For the Defender: Getting Erne'd can be demoralizing. It looks spectacular, and it feels like there's nothing you could do. But remember:

They took a risk
They had to execute perfectly
You can adjust your strategy to prevent it

Using It Sparingly: The Erne is most effective when unexpected. Use it once or twice per game at most. If you go for it every point, opponents will start anticipating it.

Tournament Considerations

Know the Rules: Make sure you understand the specific tournament's interpretation of the Erne rules. While it's generally legal, some referees may have different standards for foot faults.

Practice with a Referee: If possible, have someone watch your Erne technique to ensure it's legal. Get comfortable with the boundaries.

Don't Risk It on Big Points: If you're not 100% confident in your Erne, don't try it on crucial points. A fault costs you the point immediately.

Have a Backup Plan: If the Erne opportunity isn't perfect, have a default play—usually just letting the ball bounce and hitting a groundstroke.

Final Thoughts

The Erne is one of pickleball's most spectacular shots. When executed correctly, it's legal, exciting, and often wins the point outright. But it's also one of the easiest shots to execute illegally.

Master the footwork first. Practice the movement until it's automatic. Then add the volley. Then add the angle. Then add the game-speed decision-making.

Remember: The best Erne is the one your opponent doesn't see coming. Use it sparingly, execute it legally, and enjoy the highlight reel moments.

Just make sure both feet are outside the kitchen when you do it. Otherwise, that highlight becomes a fault, and your opponent gets the point.

Now get out there and start practicing—but stay out of the kitchen!

The Erne Shot Explained: How to Execute It LegallyMay 25, 2025