Low volley tactics: chiquita and deep volley

What this lesson covers

Defending from the back of the court requires a clear choice between playing a chiquita to neutralize the net players or hitting a firm, deep volley to force an error. When the ball arrives low, the player must decide whether to move forward to attack or retreat to set up a lob. A successful lob often follows repeated attempts to keep the ball low, eventually forcing the opponents to hit an easier ball that allows for a change in momentum.

Precision is the priority for the chiquita, while the firm volley relies on changing direction to catch the opponent off guard. By hitting the ball deep and with pace, the player denies the opponents time to prepare their next shot, often leading to a late impact. The ultimate goal of these defensive maneuvers is to neutralize the attack, regain control of the net, and transition from defense to offense. This analysis suits players looking to improve their decision-making during defensive exchanges.