Key takeaway: An Erne is an aggressive volley in pickleball that you hit from outside the sideline, right next to the net, with your feet completely clear of the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”). Because you attack the ball early from a sharp angle beside the net, your opponent gets almost no time to react. The Erne is 100% legal — as long as you don’t touch the kitchen or the net while playing it. It’s named after player Erne Perry, who popularised the shot.
What is an Erne in pickleball?
The Erne is one of pickleball’s most exciting attacking shots. Normally you can’t volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in the non-volley zone — the seven-foot area on each side of the net known as the kitchen. The Erne is a clever, fully legal way around that rule.
Instead of volleying inside the kitchen, you take your feet outside the court beside the sideline, next to the net post, and volley from there. Your body is right up at the net, but your feet are legally out of the kitchen — so you can attack a ball out of the air from a position your opponent never expected you to reach.
How to hit an Erne: two methods
1. The jump (or “leap”) Erne
Anticipate where your opponent will hit, push off from behind the kitchen line, and jump sideways past the corner of the non-volley zone. Make contact in the air, then land with both feet completely outside the sideline. Flashier, but timing is everything.
2. The step-around Erne
The safer, more repeatable option. As you read that your opponent is about to hit a dink or drive down your sideline, walk or shuffle around the outside edge of the kitchen before the ball arrives, plant both feet outside the court next to the post, and volley. Beginners should master this version first.
Is the Erne legal? The rules explained
Yes — the Erne is legal under USA Pickleball rules, but there are firm conditions:
- Both feet must be established outside the sidelines before, during and after the volley. You cannot be touching the kitchen or its lines.
- You must not touch the net, net post, or your opponent’s court at any point during the shot.
- Momentum counts. If your follow-through or landing carries you into the kitchen, it’s a fault.
- You may jump over the corner of the kitchen as long as you don’t land in it — you’re in the air, not standing in the zone.
When should you hit an Erne?
The Erne shines against predictable dinks — especially cross-court or down-the-line dinks aimed near the sideline. Set up early, disguise your movement, and aim your Erne down and at your opponent’s feet or into the open court. Just don’t overuse it: once opponents know you love the Erne, they’ll target your feet, hit behind you, or lob into the space you’ve vacated.
How to defend against an Erne
- Change your target. Stop dinking to the same sideline — aim to the middle, where an Erne isn’t possible.
- Hit behind them. As they move to the post, redirect the ball into the space they just left.
- Use a lob. A well-timed lob over an Erne-hunting opponent is often a free point.
The Erne’s cousin: the “Bert”
A Bert is an Erne you hit on your partner’s side of the court — you cross all the way over to take a ball out of the air near the opposite post. High-risk, high-reward, and best left until you’ve nailed the standard Erne.
Gear tip: the paddle matters
The Erne is a fast, reactive, hands-at-the-net volley — so a manoeuvrable, control-friendly paddle with a dependable sweet spot makes hitting it consistently far easier. If you’re not sure what suits your game yet, our beginner’s guide to choosing a pickleball paddle walks you through weight, shape and core.
FAQ
Is the Erne legal in pickleball?
Yes. It’s legal as long as you establish both feet completely outside the sideline (out of the non-volley zone) and don’t touch the kitchen lines, the net, or the net post at any point — including your landing and follow-through.
Why is it called an Erne?
The shot is named after pickleball player Erne Perry, who is widely credited with popularising it.
Can you jump into the kitchen to hit an Erne?
You can jump over the corner of the kitchen while airborne, but you cannot land in it or touch its lines. Both feet must land outside the court for the shot to be legal.
What’s the difference between an Erne and a Bert?
An Erne is hit near your own sideline post. A Bert is when you cross over to your partner’s side of the court to hit the same type of shot near the opposite post — a much riskier version.
Is the Erne good for beginners?
It’s an intermediate move, but beginners can start with the step-around version. Practise the footwork and legal positioning first, then add the jump once your timing improves.
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