Erne Shot in Pickleball: Ambush Tactics & Net Takeovers

Mastering the Erne Shot in Pickleball: Setup, Execution, and Defense

I remember the first time I got Erned. Felt like a mugging. My opponent disappeared off the court, reappeared beside the net like some kitchen ninja, then smashed the ball right at my shoelaces. My paddle froze mid-swing. “Was that Erne Shot even legal?” I wondered.

Turns out, it was. And ever since, I’ve been obsessed with the Erne, not just hitting it, but teaching it, baiting it, and defending it like a grizzled old guard dog. 🧠

In short: The Erne shot is a sideline ambush. It’s for aggressive players looking to steal time, pressure opponents, and end points early without faulting in the kitchen.

What Is the Erne Shot in pickleball?

The Erne shot is a legal pickleball volley executed from just outside the sideline, parallel to the kitchen, and close to the net. It’s named after Erne Perry, the player who made it famous. Think of it as an ambush from the weeds: it helps players end points quickly and surprise opponents by compressing their reaction time.

The Erne: Quick Facts

The Erne is a volley hit near the net while you’re standing outside the sideline, beside the kitchen.
It punishes predictable down-the-line dinks and lazy resets.
Anticipation and timing, not just speed, make it deadly.
Knowing how to counter it can save you from feeling like a spectator at your own match.

Jump to: Benefits | How It Works | Mistakes | Drills | FAQ

Who This Helps

This article is for:

3.5–4.5 players tired of endless dink wars.
Doubles teams looking for surprise weapons.
Coaches and tacticians who want to mess with opponents’ timing.

Why Bother With the Erne?

Let’s be honest: the Erne isn’t just a party trick. It’s a ruthless way to slash your opponent’s reaction time. It turns a passive dink exchange into a haymaker. Ever watch your perfectly good dink get blasted for a winner? That’s the pain the Erne ends. This shot is a polite way of saying, “I knew what you were going to do before you did it.”

It creates offensive pressure near the net without violating kitchen rules.
It destabilizes cross-court rhythm and predictable patterns.
It injects chaos into structured rallies, especially in doubles.

Bookmark this if you’ve ever felt helpless watching your dink get punished.

How the Erne Shot Works

You’re not in the kitchen. Your body must also stay clear of the line. You’re either airborne or planted outside the sideline. It’s legal. It’s vicious. And it’s all about reading the setup two shots ahead.

When should you try it?

When your opponent’s eyes are glued to the ball, their feet are stuck, and they dink down the line like clockwork. That’s your green light.

It’s legal if you’re airborne or established outside the NVZ (non-volley zone).
You must strike the ball on your side of the net.
You cannot make contact with the ball before it has crossed the net.
You, or your paddle, cannot touch the net or net posts during the shot.
You can never land on the line or in the kitchen post-contact. That’s an auto-fault, rookie.

The Erne isn’t about jumping. It’s about vanishing from their vision and reappearing with intent.

Steal this move next time they dink to your sideline: after two straight dinks, fake left then Erne right. You’ll see their jaw drop.

Big Mistakes Players Make

The Erne punishes hesitation. But if you’re the one hesitating or mistiming, congratulations, you just gave your opponent free court space and a highlight reel. This shot isn’t just about aggression; it’s about making a clean kill, not a sloppy mess.

Going too early: Tips off your move and invites a lob that’ll send you scrambling. It’s like showing your hand in poker.
Landing on or inside the line: Auto-fault. End of story. This isn’t a “close enough” kind of shot.
No backup: Your partner better be ready to shift and cover your butt. An Erne is a team play, not a solo mission.

Why do I always get caught out of position after an Erne?

Because you’re admiring your shot instead of recovering. Reset fast or expect a hard ball right in your ribs. The Erne is not a victory parade. Finish the job, then get back in the fight.

Write this on your arm: “Erne, recover, reset.”

Defending the Erne

When your opponent goes for the Erne, they’re making a bold move, often leaving a chunk of their court exposed. It’s an ambush, but every ambush has a counter-attack. Don’t freeze like a deer in headlights; use their aggression against them. A well-defended Erne can swing momentum back in your favor, turning their highlight reel into your winning point.

Read the Setup, Not Just the Ball

The key to stopping the Erne isn’t superhuman speed; it’s anticipation. Most players telegraph their intentions. Watch their eyes, are they locked onto the sideline? Are their feet starting to shift towards the net early? That subtle lean, that slight hesitation in their dink—those are your tells. If you see them committing, it’s time to unleash your counter.

Your Defensive Arsenal

Once you spot the Erne in motion, you’ve got a few nasty surprises of your own:

Low & Cross-Court Dinks: This is your bread and butter. If you’re caught in a dink exchange, keep the ball low and tight to the kitchen line, directed cross-court. An Erne player often relies on a slightly higher dink down the line to jump over. Keeping it low forces them to hit up, giving you more time, or forces them to abandon the Erne entirely. Vary where your dinks land to keep them guessing.
The Lob: They commit to the sideline, their eyes glued to the net. That’s your golden ticket for a lob. Lift the ball high and deep over their head, landing it in the back corner of their side. This forces them to retreat quickly, often out of position, and gives you time to reset and take control of the net.
Attack the Vacated Space: When an opponent executes an Erne, they momentarily abandon the middle of the court or their own sideline. If you can react quickly, blast the ball into that now-open space. A well-placed drive to the middle or sharply angled volley can leave them scrambling, making them regret their gamble.
Brush Up Your NVZ Footwork: The best defense starts with your own kitchen line positioning. If you’re consistently caught flat-footed by an Erne, it means your lateral movement and anticipation along the NVZ need work. Practice staying light on your feet and ready to shift.

Coach’s tip: When you see that Erne coming, don’t just react to the ball. React to their movement. Their gamble is your opportunity.

Drills to Build Your Erne Timing

Timing is everything. You don’t train the Erne with power. You train it with rhythm and guts. Think of it like a dance with the ball: you wait for their beat, then you make your move. That “rhythm” isn’t a complex count; it’s the subtle shift in their weight or the moment their eyes drop to the paddle.

I once saw a guy try to Erne before he had the rhythm down. Looked like a fish flopping on the sideline, paddle flailing, ball sailing. Don’t be that guy. Get this timing in your bones.

Down-the-line dinking with a partner: One player keeps dinking consistently down the line. The other player practices timing the Erne, stepping out just as the dink leaves the opponent’s paddle. Focus on that specific timing, not the hit itself.
Shadow footwork: Practice the jump or step outside the sideline after a 3-count dink rhythm without a ball. Visualize the dink, then explode. It’s about programming your feet.
“Fake and fire”: Simulate the Erne jump without actually hitting the ball to learn the crucial recovery steps. You jump, you land, you immediately recover. No staring at the net.

What footwork is best for the Erne?

If you’re jumping: lead with your left foot for takeoff, land right-left. If you’re running through the kitchen (briefly, legally, outside the NVZ): step-step-plant with your outside foot. Want to feel like a superhero? Nail an Erne shot after faking a dink. It’s pure chaos magic. 🧠

At your next open play, run a 10-minute Erne footwork warmup before games. Just the movement. Watch what happens when you start integrating it.

Coach’s Take: The biggest myth? That the Erne is about speed. It’s not. It’s about baiting patterns, reading the back foot, and knowing when to disappear.

Straight Answers (FAQ)

Is the Erne legal in pickleball?

Yes, the Erne shot is legal in pickleball under specific conditions. You must not touch the kitchen line or the net, and you must contact the ball on your side of the net. Stay clean, stay legal.

Is it “Erne” or “Ernie” in pickleball?

The correct term for this pickleball shot is “Erne.” It is named after pickleball player Erne Perry. While it sounds like the common name “Ernie,” remember it’s spelled “Erne” when referring to the shot!

How do I defend against an Erne?

To defend against an Erne, focus on hitting low cross-court dinks and varying your placements. If you see the opponent prepare for the jump, consider a lob, or aim directly for the vacated court corner. Punish their gamble.

If you’re constantly getting caught flat-footed by an Erne, it might be time to brush up on your NVZ footwork and defensive positioning. Don’t let them have that easy win.

What’s the difference between a Bert and an Erne?

A Bert is fundamentally an Erne shot hit from your partner’s side of the court. This makes it flashier, riskier, and requires elite coordination. Think high-five worthy, if you pull it off. Bert and Ernie Pickleball

Can I do an Erne in singles?

Yes, you can perform an Erne in singles, but it is rarely effective. You’re covering significantly more ground, and the risk of being burned due to slightly off timing is much higher. Pick your spots wisely.

Turn Strategy Into Action

If your dinks are getting punished and your resets feel like suicide missions, it’s time to add an Erne to your arsenal. Don’t just watch the pros, practice the setup, feel the footwork, and dare your opponents to give you that sideline.

Your move: Next rec game, pick one sideline and hunt. Don’t force it. Just look for the pattern… then vanish. Challenge yourself.