Erne and around-the-post awareness

Setup

1. A feeder at one kitchen line, the working player at the other, both near the same sideline.
2. Check the run-off beside the court first: at least two metres clear of fences, benches, bags and the next court.
3. Everyone wears protective eyewear; the volleys in this drill are taken close to the net.

How it runs

1. Part 1, the Erne: the feeder and player dink down the line. When the player reads a dink that will travel close to the sideline, they move around the kitchen, outside the sideline, and volley it from beside the net.
2. The player may get there by walking around the outside of the kitchen corner or by jumping over the corner. Feet must not touch the kitchen or its line at any time during the volley, including the landing.
3. Start walking it: the feeder calls 'go' and the player rehearses the route with no ball. Then add a gentle feed, then a live line dink.
4. Part 2, around the post: the feeder dinks sharply crosscourt and wide. The player lets it bounce, chases it outside the sideline and hits it past the net post, low and into the court.
5. Six attempts of each, then swap roles. Finish with live dink rallies where either shot may appear.

Coaching points

• Read it early: an Erne comes from a down-the-line dink that is drifting towards the sideline, not from a ball in the middle.
• Plant outside the court before the ball arrives where you can; a balanced player hits a better volley than one in mid-air.
• After the volley, keep moving away from the kitchen. Momentum that carries into the kitchen is still a fault, even after the point is over.
• Around the post, the ball doesn't need to clear the net. Keep it low and aim into the open court, not at the opponents.
• Don't touch the net or the net post while playing either shot.
• Aim the Erne volley at the feet or the open court, never at an opponent's face.

Common mistakes

• Clipping the kitchen line with a toe on the way past. Walk the route until the feet know where the corner is.
• Going for an Erne off a ball in the middle of the court and leaving the whole court open behind.
• Hitting the around-the-post ball over the net and high, which gives the opponents an easy volley.
• Running off court without looking at what is beside it.