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You have played a chiquita to their feet. When do you move in?
The chiquita is for advancing behind. Move as it travels, stop as they hit, and finish the walk if their reply is weak.
From the back you play a soft, low chiquita that lands at the net player's feet. When should you and your partner advance?
The chiquita is for advancing behind. Move as it travels, stop as they hit, and finish the walk if their reply is weak.
Why
A chiquita is a soft, low ball played from the back to the feet of a net player, forcing them to volley upward. It is not designed to win the point; it is designed to produce a weak ball while you and your partner move forward. The timing is the whole thing: advance as the ball travels, split-step at the service line as they make contact, and then either volley their weak reply or take the net behind it. Stay at the back and you have wasted the best transition shot in the game.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When you hit a low, slow ball to their feet, walk in behind it with your partner. Stop when they hit.
Intermediate
Split-step around the service line as they play the volley. If it is a soft volley up, take the net. If it is a good low volley, you are close enough to play it back.
Advanced
The chiquita works when the net player is already moving forward. Against a pair that holds position and volleys well, use it sparingly and mix it with the lob.
Common questions
From the back you play a soft, low chiquita that lands at the net player's feet. When should you and your partner advance?
As the chiquita is in the air, both of you. The chiquita is for advancing behind. Move as it travels, stop as they hit, and finish the walk if their reply is weak. A chiquita is a soft, low ball played from the back to the feet of a net player, forcing them to volley upward. It is not designed to win the point; it is designed to produce a weak ball while you and your partner move forward. The timing is the whole thing: advance as the ball travels, split-step at the service line as they make contact, and then either volley their weak reply or take the net behind it. Stay at the back and you have wasted the best transition shot in the game.
Why not stay back until you see what they do with it?
By then their volley is coming and you have missed the window. The chiquita is a shot to advance behind.
What should a beginner do here?
When you hit a low, slow ball to their feet, walk in behind it with your partner. Stop when they hit.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The chiquita works when the net player is already moving forward. Against a pair that holds position and volleys well, use it sparingly and mix it with the lob.
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beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
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