How to Do a Chiquita in Padel

In padel, the chiquita is not a trick shot and not a defensive bail-out. It is a positional weapon. Its main purpose is to take time away from net players by forcing them to hit the ball from below net height, often while stepping backward or reaching awkwardly forward. Unlike lobs, which push opponents away vertically, the chiquita attacks horizontally — straight into their feet. This makes it especially powerful against players who are comfortable volleying from a stable net position but struggle when forced to improvise low shots.

The word chiquita comes from Spanish and means “small” or “little one.” In padel, the name reflects both the pace and intention of the shot.

A chiquita is deliberately soft and subtle. It’s not about disguise or speed, but about timing. The shot looks harmless until it reaches the net player’s feet — and by then, it’s already done its job.

Many players default to the lob whenever they feel pressure. While the lob is essential, it’s not always the best solution.

The chiquita is chosen when net players are too close, not when they are already backing up. If you lob against opponents who are balanced and ready, you often give them time to attack overhead. The chiquita, by contrast, keeps them low and forces immediate decisions. Strong players alternate between lobs and chiquitas to prevent net players from settling into predictable patterns.

A clean chiquita starts with relaxed preparation. The grip should be neutral and loose, allowing feel and touch rather than force. Preparation is compact: no big backswing, no rush. The most important element is contact point — the ball should be struck slightly in front of the body, with the racket face guiding the ball forward and low. Players who miss chiquitas usually try to “place” the ball too much instead of trusting a smooth, controlled motion.

Most players feel more confident hitting chiquitas on the forehand side, but both sides are equally important.

Imagine a rally where opponents are tight at the net and you receive a medium-paced ball to your backhand. A flat backhand drive risks being volleyed aggressively. A controlled backhand chiquita, however, forces the net player to dip low and often produces a weak reply. The key is commitment: half-hearted chiquitas sit up and get punished.

Placement decides whether the chiquita works.

High-percentage targets include:

• directly at the feet of the net player
• slightly toward the middle, limiting angles
• toward the weaker volleyer, forcing hesitation

Wide chiquitas can work, but only when you have space and balance. Most errors happen when players try to be too precise instead of prioritising depth and height control.

The biggest mistake with the chiquita is hitting it too hard. Pace removes the very thing that makes the shot effective: discomfort.

A good chiquita stays low, travels slowly, and lands deep enough to reach the net player’s feet before they can adjust. When the ball floats too high, it becomes an easy volley. When it’s rushed, it loses margin. The ideal chiquita almost feels too soft when you hit it — that’s usually a good sign.

Chiquita errors are rarely technical.

The most common mistakes include:

• hitting with too much pace, giving net players control
• playing the shot too short, allowing easy volleys
• choosing the chiquita too late, from poor balance
• telegraphing the shot, making it easy to read

Most of these mistakes come from hesitation rather than poor technique.

At higher levels, the chiquita rarely wins points directly.

Picture a rally where opponents dominate the net. A well-placed chiquita forces a low volley, which floats slightly. That next ball — not the chiquita itself — is where the advantage appears. Strong players use the chiquita to create the attack, not to finish it.

Effective chiquita practice focuses on feel and repetition. Start with cooperative drills, aiming only to land the ball low and deep near the service line. Alternate forehand and backhand chiquitas to build confidence on both sides. Then add pressure by having a partner stand at the net and block returns back softly. This teaches you to judge pace and height realistically — exactly what matches demand.

In real matches, the chiquita is a momentum shifter. It slows fast rallies, disrupts aggressive net play, and forces opponents to think instead of react. Players who trust the chiquita feel less trapped at the baseline and make better decisions overall. It’s a shot that rewards patience, awareness, and confidence — qualities that define strong padel players far more than raw power.