When an Erne is allowed

An Erne is a shot where you step (or jump) outside the sideline without entering the non-volley zone (kitchen), and volley near the net post (Pickleball.com). The rulebook has no section called "Erne." But it is not against the rules as long as you follow the conditions below.

The conditions

1. Get outside the sideline without touching the kitchen or the non-volley zone line (kitchen line) (11.A, 11.A.1). The sideline next to the kitchen is also part of the kitchen (3.A.4.c)
2. If you did touch the kitchen, put both feet on the ground outside the kitchen (outside the court is fine) before you volley (After leaving the kitchen, get both feet down before you volley) (11.A.3)
3. Hit the ball only after it has crossed the net to your side (You cannot hit the ball before it crosses the net) (13.F, 13.F.1)
4. Do not touch the net, even after you hit (Touching the net during play is a fault) (13.G, 13.G.1)
5. Do not let the momentum of your volley carry you into the kitchen (Entering the kitchen from your volley's momentum is a fault) (11.A.2)

Why is it OK?

• The kitchen is only the area between the two sidelines. Outside the sideline is not the kitchen (3.A.4.c)
• Except during the serve and the return, you may stand anywhere on your side, including outside the court (5.B.4)

Jumping over the corner of the kitchen

It is also not against the rules to jump from outside the kitchen, pass over the corner of the kitchen, and land outside the court. This is because the kitchen is only the area on the ground, not the space above it (3.A.4.c). As long as you do not touch the kitchen, you may volley in the air (11.A). A volley must start from outside the kitchen, so jumping from inside the kitchen is a fault (11.A, 11.A.3).