Ernie
Jumping over the kitchen corner to volley from outside the sideline. Named after Erne Perry. Legal, as long as you establish your feet first.
An Ernie is pickleball's signature trick shot. When an opponent is about to hit a dink or soft shot near your sideline, you jump over the corner of the kitchen, land outside the court past the sideline, and volley the ball from there. Usually a putaway they never see coming.
It is named after Erne Perry, who pioneered the move in tournament play. The rule: you cannot touch the kitchen (non-volley zone) during the jump or the volley. Your feet must be established outside the kitchen lines before contact. Leap from outside, land outside, and you are clean.
The Ernie works because dinkers aim at the sideline expecting safety. You are simply not where they think you are. The counter is awareness — see your opponent loading up near the sideline, and keep the ball middle or be ready for the attempt. There is also a cousin move, the Bert, where your partner crosses over to Ernie on your side.
See also:ATP ·Strategy & tactics ·Etiquette