Erne
An advanced volley hit from outside the court near the net post, bypassing the kitchen zone.
An erne (pronounced “ER-nee”) is an advanced shot where a player volleys the ball from outside the court, near the net post — bypassing the kitchen entirely. It's named after Erne Perry, who popularized the shot in tournament play.
The erne is one of the most exciting shots in pickleball. When executed well, it's nearly unreturnable — you're hitting the ball from a position your opponent doesn't expect, at an angle they can't cover.
How It Works
The Setup
- Anticipate a cross-court dink coming to your sideline
- Step or jump around the kitchen — outside the sideline, near the net post
- Volley the ball before your opponent can react
- You must establish both feet outside the kitchen before or as you hit — you can't go through it
Is the Erne Legal?
Yes — the erne is 100% legal. The kitchen rules only apply to the kitchen zone on the court. Once you're outside the sideline, you're not in the kitchen, so you can volley freely. There are two important requirements:
Legal Requirements
- You cannot go through the kitchen to get to your erne position — go around it by stepping outside the sideline
- Your feet must be established outside the kitchen before or at the moment of contact
- You cannot touch the net or the net post
- You cannot reach across the net — the ball must be on your side when you hit it
When to Attempt an Erne
The erne works best when your opponent is locked into a cross-court dinking pattern. If they keep dinking to the same spot, you can anticipate the next one and commit to the erne. The element of surprise is everything — once your opponent knows you're looking for it, they'll adjust their dinks.
Pro Tip
Practice the footwork first — without a ball. Get comfortable stepping around the kitchen quickly and establishing your feet outside the sideline. The shot itself is easy; it's the positioning that makes or breaks the erne.
Related Terms
Practice Makes Perfect
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