If you already know what an erne is, get ready to meet its wilder sibling: the Bert. It's one of the rarest, riskiest, and most crowd-pleasing shots in pickleball, a move that sends a player flying across the court, past their own partner, to steal a volley that isn't technically theirs.

Here's exactly what a Bert is, how it differs from an Erne, whether it's legal, and pickleball tips for adding it to your doubles game.

What Is a Bert in Pickleball?

A Bert is an advanced pickleball shot where a player jumps or runs around the non-volley zone (the kitchen) on their partner's side of the court, instead of their own, to hit a volley near the net. In simple terms, it's an Erne taken from your teammate's half of the court rather than yours.

The name is a nod to Sesame Street: Bert and Erne are best friends, and in pickleball, a Bert and an Erne work the exact same way, just on different sides of the court. Some players also call a Bert a "poach shot," since it involves crossing over to take a ball your partner would normally play.

Bert vs. Erne: What's the Difference?

Both shots use the same rule loophole: the non-volley zone only covers the area between the sidelines, so a player standing or jumping just outside that zone can legally volley the ball. The difference is where the player ends up.

• Erne: A player stays on their own side of the court and moves outside their own sideline to volley near the net.
• Bert: A player crosses behind or in front of their partner and moves outside the opposite sideline, on their partner's side of the court, to volley near the net.

Because a Bert covers more ground and requires crossing your partner's path, it's considered even harder to pull off than an Erne, and it's rarely seen even at the pro level.

Is the Bert Legal in Pickleball?

Yes, the Bert is completely legal when executed correctly. It follows the same non-volley zone rules as an Erne:

• All volleys must be initiated from outside the non-volley zone, including the Bert.
• A player can jump over the kitchen as long as they never touch the zone or its lines, and they land outside the sideline.
• If a player's momentum or follow-through carries them into the kitchen, it's a fault, even if the ball was already struck.
• The shot cannot make contact with the net or interfere with the opponent's ability to play the ball.

The extra distance covered in a Bert means there's more room for something to go wrong, so clean footwork matters even more here than it does on a standard Erne.

How to Hit a Bert

A Bert asks for the same fundamentals as an Erne, plus a lot more court awareness. Here's the general approach:

• Read the rally early. Watch for an opponent settling into a pattern that targets your partner's sideline rather than your own.
• Communicate with your partner before you move. Since you'll be crossing into their space, they need to know a Bert is possible so they aren't caught off guard.
• Time your crossing run. Start moving before the ball is struck, staying clear of the kitchen the entire way across.
• Jump or step outside the far sideline. Make contact with the ball only once your feet are established outside the non-volley zone on your partner's side.
• Finish and reset. Land in bounds of the rules, then recover immediately, since a missed Bert can leave the entire court open.

Pickleball Tips for Practicing the Bert

The Bert is a specialty shot, not something to reach for every rally. A few pickleball tips to build it into your game responsibly:

• Nail the Erne first. If your footwork and timing aren't reliable on an Erne, a Bert will only amplify the mistakes.
• Drill it with your regular partner. A Bert depends on trust and predictable positioning, so practice with the person you'll actually be playing with.
• Agree on a signal or cue. Some teams use a quick verbal or visual cue so the covering partner knows to shift and fill the space being vacated.
• Use it sparingly. Because it's rare, a well-timed Bert is a great way to catch opponents off guard, but using it too often removes the surprise.
• Have a fallback plan. Talk through what happens if the Bert doesn't connect, so your partner knows how to cover the open court.

When Not to Try It

Skip the Bert if your partner isn't expecting it, if you're not fully confident in your Erne footwork, or if the opponent's shot placement isn't predictable enough to set it up safely. A failed Bert doesn't just cost a point; it can leave both players scrambling to cover an empty court.

The Takeaway

The Bert is one of pickleball's flashiest legal shots: high risk, high reward, and genuinely rare even in competitive play. It takes a reliable Erne, strong communication with your partner, and a good read on your opponents to pull off. Add it to your practice sessions once your fundamentals are solid, and use it as a surprise weapon rather than a go-to play.

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