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Off the glass, the net players are a step back. Which shot moves you forward?
Chiquita off the glass: slow and low to the feet of the net player, then advance together.
You have a comfortable ball off the back glass. The net players are in a normal position, slightly deep. Which shot best lets your pair advance?
Chiquita off the glass: slow and low to the feet of the net player, then advance together.
Why
The chiquita is the third way to move forward from the back, alongside the lob and the drive. It is a slow, low ball with a little slice aimed at the feet of a net player, forcing a volley from below the net that has to be played upward. While it travels, both defenders advance to around the service line and split-step as the volley is hit; if the volley is weak, they take the net, and if it is good, they are close enough to play it. It works best against a pair that has drifted slightly deep to handle lobs: the chiquita punishes exactly that depth.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Try a soft, low ball to the net player's feet instead of a lob sometimes. Then walk forward with your partner.
Intermediate
The chiquita needs to arrive low and slow. Too fast and it is a volley; too high and it is a smash. Practise the weight of the ball.
Advanced
Alternate the chiquita and the lob from the same preparation. When the net pair cannot tell which is coming, both shots get better.
Common questions
You have a comfortable ball off the back glass. The net players are in a normal position, slightly deep. Which shot best lets your pair advance?
A chiquita to their feet, and advance. Chiquita off the glass: slow and low to the feet of the net player, then advance together. The chiquita is the third way to move forward from the back, alongside the lob and the drive. It is a slow, low ball with a little slice aimed at the feet of a net player, forcing a volley from below the net that has to be played upward. While it travels, both defenders advance to around the service line and split-step as the volley is hit; if the volley is weak, they take the net, and if it is good, they are close enough to play it. It works best against a pair that has drifted slightly deep to handle lobs: the chiquita punishes exactly that depth.
Why not a hard drive through the middle?
A hard drive at players in normal position is a block for them. The chiquita is slow on purpose.
What should a beginner do here?
Try a soft, low ball to the net player's feet instead of a lob sometimes. Then walk forward with your partner.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Alternate the chiquita and the lob from the same preparation. When the net pair cannot tell which is coming, both shots get better.
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.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
beginnerYou have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.