In pickleball you’ll hear some new vocabulary. For example, the non-volley zone near the net will be referred to most of the time as the ‘kitchen’. But what about the point scoring shot you’ve heard about, the erne? This unusual term is pronounced like the name Ernie. What is a Erne in pickleball anyhow? In this article, we’ll define what an erne is and how to execute one successfully. We will also discuss how to avoid the pitfalls which can lead to losing the serve or a point for the other team.
What Is A Erne In Pickleball?
So what is an erne in pickleball? An erne is a shot taken while standing next to the kitchen, closer to the net than you can get in typical game play. This shot is named after Erne Perry. Perry dominated tournament play with this unconventional move. This is a difficult shot to execute and will surprise your opponent. This allows you to ‘push the net’ legally. Having an erne in your arsenal can be the difference between winning and losing a point.
3 Ways To Execute An Erne In Pickleball
- A player steps around to the side of the kitchen (non-volley zone), to take the shot.
- You step through the kitchen making sure your feet are planted outside the non-volley zone before taking the shot.
- A player jump over the kitchen, again making sure your feet are planted outside the non-volley zone either before or after taking the shot. This is sometimes referred to as a ‘Bert’
3 Things To Avoid When Executing An Erne In Pickleball
The important things to remember when doing an erne are the ways in which you can accidentally give up the point instead of win it. First of all, you obviously need to make sure your feet are outside the non-volley zone when you make contact with the ball. If you are jumping, you need to make sure your feet are outside the kitchen before and after you make contact with the ball. Additionally, after you’ve hit the ball, you need to be sure your momentum doesn’t cause you to step into the kitchen. There is also one more overlooked violation concern with an Erne. Your paddle must not breach the plane of the net either.
What Is A Erne In Pickleball Summary
So what is an erne in pickleball? It’s essentially a move where you anticipate your opponent’s return and jump over the kitchen area, landing out of bounds, to hit the pickleball faster and harder back to your opponent. A properly executed erne can mean the difference between winning a game or not. It is one of the most surprising and graceful moves you’ll see on a pickleball court.
We recommend not trying to do an erne in a game for the first time. Instead, practice with your partner and try out the different ways of executing an erne. This will help you get more comfortable with the movement. Then you will build the muscle memory to work it into game play without needing to think too much about it.
