What is an Ernie in Pickleball?

TL;DR:
An Ernie shot in pickleball occurs when a player steps outside the sideline of the court, bypassing the kitchen, to hit a volley near the net. Named after Erne Perry, this advanced move surprises opponents and changes the angle of the shot. However, it can leave players out of position if countered.

Main points:

• Named after Erne Perry, popularized after 2010.
• Involves stepping outside the non-volley zone to volley near the net.
• Adds surprise and pressure but risks leaving players out of position.
• Skilled opponents can anticipate and exploit the move.

---

Like any other sport, pickleball includes concepts with some pretty unique names. For example, beginners quickly learn about the kitchen in pickleball — the no-volley zone near the net.

In pickleball, an Ernie shot happens to the side of the kitchen with the player standing off the court itself. It’s also often called an “Erne” or “Erne shot,” sometimes capitalized, sometimes not. No matter how it’s spelled or written, it’s pronounced like the name Ernie, with two syllables.

Let’s take a closer look at the pickleball Ernie shot, from why it has that name to why it’s so effective.

All About the Ernie in Pickleball

Why is it Called an Ernie in Pickleball?

The Ernie shot is named after Erne Perry, as the Silveridge Pickleball Club explains. During the 2010 USA Pickleball (at that time called the USAPA) National Tournament, Perry was noticed using this shot to great effect.

Jeff Shank, a videographer at the tournament, gave this advanced shot its name. The Ernie shot in pickleball has grown in popularity ever since, thanks in large part to the element of surprise it offers and the difficulty in returning it.

What is an Ernie Shot, Exactly?

Here are a few basic facts that help make it easier to understand the pickleball Ernie move:

• Players can be outside the boundaries of the court and still make a legal shot.
• The kitchen or non-volley zone, where players cannot volley the ball, does not extend past its marked boundaries. In other words, players standing outside the kitchen — not only behind it but also to the side of it — can legally hit a volley.
• When hitting a volley, players can’t make contact with the no-volley zone, touch someone or something that is in the non-volley zone, or drop something into the non-volley zone.
• However, players can move through the non-volley zone by walking or jumping, as long as they establish themselves outside the zone before hitting the ball with a volley shot (i.e. not letting it bounce before making contact).
• And, players can hit a volley shot while jumping in the air above the non-volley zone, as long as they don’t make contact with the zone before or after their jump.

With this context in mind, here’s a basic description of the Ernie shot.

An Erne shot in pickleball most often happens when an opponent hits a shot toward the same sideline that a player is near. The player hitting the Ernie shot will move around the non-volley zone, either avoiding contact with it or re-establishing contact in the out-of-bounds area that lies outside of the non-volley zone.

Soon or even just after the ball crosses the net, the player will hit a volley shot back to their opponent or opponents. That course of action is the Ernie shot in pickleball, a unique approach that works around the non-volley zone rules.

What are the Advantages of the Ernie Shot in Pickleball?

This puts more pressure on the opponents, reducing the time they have to position themselves for a successful return. While it’s not impossible to defend, especially at higher levels of play, the Ernie can make it much more difficult for opponents to keep a rally going.

Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour player Tyler Loong is well-known for his success with the Ernie in pickleball. He told the Tour’s official website that the Ernie is useful because it changes the angle of the ball as compared to a volley shot, and because it adds an element of surprise.

What are the Disadvantages of the Ernie Shot in Pickleball?

An Ernie shot requires a player to leave the main court area, standing or landing out of bounds to the side of the court. That puts the player out of position, at least for a few moments.

If the ball is quickly returned, it can either lead to the end of a rally or a partner being forced to cover too much of the court.

Additionally, more skilled and experienced players can anticipate Ernie shots, at least to a degree. An Ernie can still be successful against these players.

But, if they can anticipate the shot, they can position themselves for a successful return and take advantage of the player putting themselves out of position. Very advanced players can even bait their opponents into attempting an Ernie, taking advantage of the opponent moving themselves off of the court.

Ready for an Ernie? Get on the Pickleball Court

Now that you know more about the rules of pickleball and the Ernie shot, find a court near you and start playing!