The Pickleball Erne
The Pickleball Erne is an advanced play named after pro player Erne Perry, who popularized this bold and dynamic move. As you progress to the 3.5+ level, you’ll start looking for opportunities to incorporate the Erne—if you have the physical agility to pull it off.
Here’s the rule:
- In pickleball, you can’t volley a shot while standing in the kitchen.
- You also can’t land in the kitchen after hitting a shot you contacted in the air outside of it.
But there’s a loophole:
- You can volley the ball from the side of the kitchen.
- You can also volley over the kitchen as long as you leave the ground from outside the kitchen and land outside the kitchen.
The Erne takes advantage of this rule. By moving from behind the kitchen line to the side and striking the ball in the air, you can execute a shot that’s both unexpected and hard to counter.
This advanced technique requires not just agility but also court awareness and timing. You’ll need to watch for the perfect setup—a poorly placed dink or drive that sets you up to swoop in from the side and execute the Erne with flair.
It’s not an easy play to master, but when you pull it off, it’s as satisfying as it gets. Your opponents won’t just be scrambling—they’ll be stunned.
Pickleball Erne Scenario
The Erne happens mostly when teams are at the net in a dinking rally. The illustration below shows an Erne.
In this scenario…
1. Your partner dinks a shot back at the opponent in front of you.
2. Your opponent dinks it straight back at you.
3. You anticipate this and jump from the back line of the kitchen, over the sideline. While the dink is just coming over the net, you are moving through the air and can reach it before it drops. You volley it hard and put it away. You land safely on the side of the court and never touch the kitchen line.
Amazing!
Your opponents are stunned and don’t know what hit them because it happened so fast.
Pickleball Erne Limitations
The Erne is a powerful play, but it comes with strict rules:
- You cannot touch the net or land on the kitchen line when executing the shot.
- If you prefer not to jump over the kitchen, you can run through it to the sideline instead. Just make sure your feet are firmly planted outside the kitchen when you hit the ball.
Look for the Erne Setup
The Pickleball Erne is a fantastic tactic for advanced players, but it requires preparation and awareness. Anticipate it during dinking rallies, especially when positioned near the sideline. Be ready for a forward dink coming your way that sets you up for the move.
The Erne is all about anticipation, timing, and quick decision-making. It demands skill, athleticism, and a keen eye for opportunities.
Good luck—and when you land your first Erne, enjoy the well-earned applause!
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🎥 A collection of Pickleball Erne plays…
Courtesy of PickleballerTV