Kyle Koszuta recently explained on Instagram how players can execute an ernie shot in pickleball. He emphasized key moments when moving through or around the kitchen can create an opportunity to win the point.
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Recognizing the Right Moment
Koszuta highlighted three key situations to attempt the Ernie. If an opponent in front is off balance, loses sight of the player, or prefers down-the-line dinks, it’s an ideal time to attack.
In these moments, he suggested stepping through or around the kitchen to get closer to the net for a quick putaway shot.
Setting Up the Ernie
To set up this move, Koszuta advised players to watch their partner’s cross-court dinking.
“If they hit a really aggressive cross-court dink, that’s a good indicator that you should go for the Ernie.” – (Koszuta)
Another approach is to avoid dinking too many times in a row.
“I would never dink more than two times in a row without dinking and going.” – (Koszuta)
He pointed out how an opponent stepping back to the baseline can indicate a loss of confidence.
“Yeah. You see how he walks back to the baseline? He’s so sad. Look at his posture.” – (Koszuta)
Impact of the Ernie
Using the Ernie effectively can pressure opponents and shift momentum in a match. By recognizing when an opponent is vulnerable, players can gain an edge and take control of points. Koszuta’s advice encourages players to stay alert and use aggressive positioning to win more rallies.
News in Brief: Ernie Shot in Pickleball
Kyle Koszuta shared an Instagram post on executing the ernie shot in pickleball. He explained when to move aggressively through the kitchen to win points. By recognizing off-balance opponents and using cross-court dinks, players can apply pressure and gain an advantage in matches.