💡 Tactics and Technique 💡
Countering chiquitas
What is the good shot selection when opponent use chiquita and both rush forward?
My usual return is to hit slow/medium speed, parallel, focusing on low net clearance, but, it often devolved to volley battle and I find myself in disadvantage against younger players due to slower reflex.
Is it better to do a lob or a quick passing shot towards middle then? If that's the case, I have to practice since it still hit the back glass/net too much to my liking.
Comments (13)
u/zennyultima4w ago
Gotta respect the good Chiquita. Cross court Chiquita may work. Also based on where they r rushing.
7
u/cmc_9204w ago
Depends how high the ball bounces after their chiquita. If it's high, a passing shot straight down the middle or parallel line often catches them out. If it was a good chiquita and stays low, a chiquita back because always remember if they have to play the ball below the net line then they can't really attack you, so it is more safe.
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u/Any_Elk74954w ago
If they’re rushing forward after a good Chiquita and you try lob, you’ll likely hit it far too low and you’ll get punished. Another Chiquita back to them or play an angle. Parallel is good , don’t cross court it unless it’s ‘easy’ it’s just riskier
3
Yea, that's the issue I have recently. Chiquita back, and then opponent play faster and it becomes volley battle. I have been playing against younger players (late 10a-early 20s) than my usual match and I notice I lost a lot of point as the volleys get faster. So I am wondering what's the smart play here. Maybe hit a chiquita back before quick lobbing the next one. Or mayb return with chiquita then take a long step back to give more time to volley back.
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u/former_farmer4w ago
You can see what the players do. There are many matches to check this. Sometimes, they play another chiquita in response. Sometimes they try to lob it. Sometimes, a harder shot. But the trick of doing a chiquita is that most of the times your opponent will have to play another chiquita or will be somewhat limited in their options.
I don't remember a lot but this is what I often see.
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u/Psyyx4w ago
[https://youtu.be/85G6rIsOa40?si=bfCwEAvPzw63bvaT](https://youtu.be/85G6rIsOa40?si=bfCwEAvPzw63bvaT)
Whole video about countering chiquitas :P
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u/kallexander4w ago
I like playing a hard ish ground stroke to the middle when the opponents do this. It’s hard to block perfectly, so you might get an easy ball back, and if it passes you gain back the net.
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u/BruceWillis19634w ago
I usually try a fast lob if possible, or a shot down the middle as low as possible. Sometimes even a drop shot. But I would like advice as well.
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u/zemvpferreira4w ago
The counter to the chiquita is the volley. If the chiquita is good and their timing well selected it shouldn't be possible, but if you sense a chiquita coming then hug the net and blast the ball to another dimension. It will have the added bonus of making them nervous to play another chiquita, so you can stay further back for their lobs for the rest of the match. That's the emotional rock-paper-scissors that makes padel interesting.
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