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The chiquita: which net player's feet?
Chiquita at the deeper net player, or the weaker low-volleyer. Room to dip is what makes it work.
Both opponents are at the net. You have the ball for a chiquita. Which one do you aim at?
Chiquita at the deeper net player, or the weaker low-volleyer. Room to dip is what makes it work.
Why
The chiquita needs space to dip into. A net player standing tight to the net takes it at chest height before it drops, and it becomes an easy volley; a net player standing deeper, around three metres from the net, has left the room for the ball to land at their feet. So the target is chosen by depth first, the player who has drifted back, and by weakness second: a player with a poor low volley is a good target even at normal depth. Against two players tight to the net, the chiquita is not on and the lob is the shot.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Look at which net player is further from the net. Play the soft, low ball to that one.
Intermediate
A chiquita to the deeper player also drags them forward, and the lob over them on the next ball is then easier. Chiquita, then lob.
Advanced
The chiquita down the middle between two players who are both slightly deep is the version that produces confusion: neither wants a low volley and both hesitate.
Common questions
Both opponents are at the net. You have the ball for a chiquita. Which one do you aim at?
The deeper one, or the weaker low-volleyer. Chiquita at the deeper net player, or the weaker low-volleyer. Room to dip is what makes it work. The chiquita needs space to dip into. A net player standing tight to the net takes it at chest height before it drops, and it becomes an easy volley; a net player standing deeper, around three metres from the net, has left the room for the ball to land at their feet. So the target is chosen by depth first, the player who has drifted back, and by weakness second: a player with a poor low volley is a good target even at normal depth. Against two players tight to the net, the chiquita is not on and the lob is the shot.
Why not the one closest to the net, at their feet?
A player tight to the net takes the chiquita as a high volley before it dips. Aim at the one who has left room.
What should a beginner do here?
Look at which net player is further from the net. Play the soft, low ball to that one.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The chiquita down the middle between two players who are both slightly deep is the version that produces confusion: neither wants a low volley and both hesitate.
Puzzles like this one
Both of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.
advancedThey are camped at the net and you cannot lob. What now?
If you cannot lift it over them, make them lift it for you. The chiquita is a slow ball at their feet.