The Pickleball Erne Shot: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

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Have you ever seen an opponent hit a shot in pickleball and thought right away, “That’s a fault,” only to watch them win the point a moment later? That is the pickleball Erne in action. At first, it can look pretty strange. The player hits a volley from outside the kitchen, near the sideline, in a position that can make it seem like they are standing in the kitchen or hitting the ball illegally. But in fact, they are completely outside the kitchen.

New players can easily get confused by this move. The interesting thing about the pickleball Erne is that it is completely legal under the rules when done correctly. That is why experienced players use it for more than just hitting a hard shot. They use it to surprise their opponents, make them react too quickly, and gain the upper hand in the point.

In this article, we will look at why the Erne is so effective in pickleball, how to hit it legally, and what small mistakes you need to avoid when playing this shot.

Why is it Called an Erne in Pickleball?

 

This story goes back to 2010. That year, the USAPA National Tournament was going on in Buckeye, Arizona. Videographer Jeff Shank was there on the court when he spotted American pickleball player Erne Perry.

Perry kept pulling the same special move over and over to take over the rally. Jeff Shank noticed how well it worked and right away started calling it an “Erne.” The name felt perfect and stuck so easily that everyone picked it up soon after.

The cool part is that Erne Perry had been using different versions of this shot for years already. It just never had a real name until then. Jeff Shank’s quick observation made the shot known to pickleball players worldwide.

Next time you see someone hit an Erne, remember it got its name from the story of one player and one videographer.

What is an Erne in pickleball?

The pickleball Erne is an advanced, exciting shot. The player steps outside the Kitchen (NVZ) and past the sideline to take a volley. They either jump over the corner of the kitchen or move around it, then hit the ball out of the air right near the net. Their feet never touch the kitchen or its line.

This shot is completely legal because the official pickleball rules only stop you from volleying inside the kitchen, not while standing outside. The Erne catches opponents by surprise and often wins the point. It is a favorite shot among advanced pickleball players.

How to Hit an Erne Shot

The pickleball erne looks hard at first, but the real key to mastering this pickleball shot is patience, timing, and footwork. Here’s an easy way you can slowly add it to your practice.

Setting Up the Erne Shot

When your opponent is dinking at the kitchen and keeps sending the same cross-court ball over and over, that’s your cue.

 

• • Watch those same cross-court dinks two or three times first.

• • Then hit a dink of your own a little toward the sideline so your opponent gets pulled over to that side.

• • Don’t move too soon. Wait until your opponent commits to their shot, then move.

If you lean toward the side too early, your opponent will figure it out and just hit the ball down the middle.

You can hit an erne in pickleball in three different ways.

 

1. 1. Walking around the kitchen is the safest way to hit the shot. The player steps out from the kitchen corner, puts both feet on the ground outside the sideline, and then hits the volley. Since the feet never touch the kitchen or its line, there is almost no chance of a fault.

1. 1. Going through the kitchen to hit an Erne Pickleball shot takes more care. The player can walk through the kitchen, but both feet have to be back outside it before the volley. Even a small mistake can cost the point. If either foot is still in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line at the moment of contact, it is a fault.

1. 1. Jumping over the kitchen corner looks the most impressive, but it is also the hardest. The player pushes off from behind the kitchen line, jumps in the air while hitting the ball, and lands outside the sideline. Following Pickleball Erne Rules, if a foot touches the kitchen or its line even a little, it is a fault. That is why this shot needs more than just power. It takes good timing, balance, and skill.

Erne Shot Footwork and Ball Contact Tips

 

• • Keep your body low and your knees slightly bent so you can move right away in any direction.

• • When you go toward the ball, lead with your inside foot to stay balanced during the erne in pickleball.

• • Don’t let the ball get too far from your body. Make contact out in front at a good distance.

• • If you get the chance, hit a strong punch; if not, a soft roll is the safer choice when executing this pickleball erne shot.

• • Aim carefully either at your opponent’s feet or an open spot on the court.

• • After the shot, don’t let your momentum take over. Stay in control so you don’t drift back into the kitchen line.

What Is a Bert in Pickleball? (Bert vs. Erne)

A Bert is an advanced doubles play in pickleball and is essentially the cross-court version of the Erne. Instead of jumping or stepping out on your side of the court, you move over in front of your partner’s side to take the volley past the sideline. That is the main key when comparing Bert vs. Erne pickleball tactics.

When players ask what’s the difference between Bert and Erne in pickleball, the answer comes down to positioning: an Erne is executed on your own side, while a Bert is executed on your partner’s side of the court.

The name comes from Bert, Erne’s longtime buddy on Sesame Street. Once you try one in a real game, you’ll notice the mechanics are almost identical to an Erne, just executed from your partner’s side.

This move mostly comes up in doubles matches. Time it right, and a Bert catches your opponents off guard, putting them under sudden pressure and opening up the point for you. It’s not an easy play to pull off, as there’s a lot of pressure riding on it. Just remember: use it at the right moment, not every other point.

Final Thoughts

The pickleball Erne is a legal, modern shot, but power alone isn’t enough to hit it well. Good timing, quick footwork, and solid positioning all play a big role.

Hit at the right moment, the Erne shot can catch your opponent off guard and force them to change position or shot. That’s what makes it such an effective strategy.

But bad timing or poor footwork can make the erne risky. Even a small mistake can leave you out of position and hand your opponent an easy point.

Along with mastering the Erne, it’s worth learning how to defend against it too. That helps you make smarter decisions on the court and read your opponent’s Erne before they hit it.

Instead of trying the Erne straight in a match, practice it first. With consistent practice, you’ll be able to use it with more confidence.

The Pickleball Erne isn’t a shot you’ll play on every point. But used at the right moment, it can become a real weapon in your game.