The Chiquita Is Not the Weapon in Padel: Moving With It Is
The chiquita is a low ball into the feet of the net players, and it is a genuinely good shot. But it does not win the point on its own.
What wins the point is what you and your partner do while it is travelling. Play a lovely chiquita and stay back and you have achieved almost nothing.
Move while the ball is in the air
The window opens the moment the chiquita leaves the racket. Your opponents are about to be stuck hitting up from below net height, which means they cannot hurt you as you come forward.
That is the whole point of the shot. It is not a winner, it is permission to advance.
After the bounce it is already too late
Wait to see how good the chiquita was and you have missed it. By the time it bounces, they are on the ball and looking at you.
Now your run forward is happening while they have control, and that is a completely different proposition.
Go late and they play at your feet
Arriving in mid-court after they have taken control is the worst outcome of all. You are not at the net and you are no longer at the back.
They put the ball at your feet and you are the one hitting up from below the net.
Go together, and arrive ready
Both of you move, and you move at the same time, so you arrive as a line rather than one up and one back.
Get there while they are still hitting up and the weak reply lands in front of two players who are set and waiting for it.
