ERNE Ball Machine
The club purchased an ERNE ball machine in 2024 so that members could benefit from practicing various shots and doing drills with it. With repetition comes the muscle memory that will help you make the best shot every time.
The top ball storage area is filled with 100-150 pickleballs, which are then shot out over the net at regular intervals through the hole at the bottom. The great thing about this ball machine is that you can adjust the balls to fly faster, shorter, higher, slower or side to side.
You are in control and can use it to practice any shot. There are even pre-loaded drills that allow you to easily practice specific shots. To operate it, you MUST download the Erne app on your smart phone. All the programming and ball settings are done through the app.
At the court, you will operate ERNE through the app which you will connect to via Bluetooth on your phone. Only one person can connect to ERNE at a time, so only one person needs to have their smart phone in use during a ball machine session. However, every club member may want to download it so they can help run the machine with their ball machine partner(s).
Process for Using the ERNE Ball Machine
If you want to be able to reserve ERNE to use at the pickleball courts, you’ll first have to attend a 60-minute training session. During the training you’ll learn how to use the machine and how to properly store it in the club’s shed. Here are the steps:
- Sign up for a training session using the SignUp Genius link below. Make sure that you download the ERNE app on your smartphone prior to arriving for your training session.
- Attend the ERNE training session that you’ve signed up for.
- After attending a training session, your name will be added to the “SCC ERNE” Team Reach group for reserving the ERNE ball machine. You’ll also be given the combination lock code for the shed.
- To book the ball machine, use the Team Reach app to book the timeframe that you want. Currently, the machine can only be reserved during non-club hours.
Click on the SignUp Genius link to register for ERNE training.
Links for the ERNE App
Here is a YouTube channel that demonstrates a 3-step transition drill using the Erne: