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Erne

Pickleball / Popular

Jump around the kitchen to attack a wide ball.

What coaches agree on

  • Set up the Erne with your dinks: work the ball wide and deep toward your opponent's sideline or backhand until they're out of position and forced into a predictable reply.
  • To hit a legal Erne, both feet must be fully outside the kitchen — and past the sideline if you jumped across it — before your paddle contacts the ball. That contact also has to happen before the ball crosses the plane of the net.
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  • Watch your opponent's body, not just the ball — an open paddle face, a step back, or their head dropping to play a low shot all signal they've lost sight of you and it's time to move.

Common mistakes

  • Committing to the jump before your opponent actually strikes the ball tips them off, giving them time to change the shot or simply not feed you the Erne at all.
  • Swinging big or trying to smash the finish is unnecessary and risky since you're already right on top of the net — a short, controlled shot to the feet or open space wins the point with far less error.
  • Assuming the Erne is only for elite, highly athletic jumpers — it's built on timing and setup, and can be hit by walking around the kitchen instead of jumping at all.