For some reason, there has always been more chic-chac action at
courts such as Milford, Dania, and Bridgeport than the former
World Jai-Alai courts. It's very tough to get a real chic-chac
on those courts unless it's thrown so that it hits the floor right
before the back wall.
The chic-chac can be thrown in many ways. Most common is the forehand
chic-chac. If the spin is correct, the closer to the backwall
the ball hits on the floor, the more of a lethal, unreturnable
kill shot it is.
The chic-chac can also be thrown by players who have an overhand
reverse, or by a forehand or backhand rebote. Inclan used to throw
some incredible chic-chacs from the reverse side...most players
don't have enough power to go over the top from the reverse side
and throw it that way. Bereicua from Bridgeport used to throw
some great fall down rebote chic-chacs.
Some strong backmen can really use the shot to their advantage
in singles because they are so strong, they can get it over their
opponent's head, even from deep in the backcourt.
When it's thrown perfectly, it's a beautiful kill shot. If it's
thrown too hard and hits the backwall on the fly, it usually comes
way out for a rebote. If it's thrown too soft, it gets caught
in the air by the opponent.
The players I saw who could throw great chic-chacs consistently
were Bolivar, Egurbi and the player who used it more than anyone
else I ever saw was Juaristi. His forehand was so strong that
he could kill a lot of points that way, even in doubles. He would
throw the ball on the frontis close to the sidewall and create
incredible spin and the ball would go straight down off the backwall.
