Chiquita

The chiquita is a low, soft shot in padel aimed at the opponents’ feet near the net. It is a key transition shot that allows players to take over the net position and shift from defense to attack.

When to Use

The chiquita is one of the most important tactical shots in padel. The name comes from the Spanish word “chiquita” (small one), which perfectly describes the essence of the shot: small, soft, yet tactically powerful.

Key situations for the chiquita:

• Transitioning to the net. The classic application: you are at the back of the court, play a chiquita at the opponent’s feet, and follow the ball forward to take up the net position.
• Opponents 2-3 meters from the net. The chiquita works best when opponents are not right at the net but have stepped back slightly. In this case, the ball has time to drop to their feet.
• Alternating with the lob. The lob + chiquita combination creates maximum uncertainty: opponents do not know whether to expect a high ball overhead or a low ball at their feet.
• After a back wall bounce. A ball that bounces off the back wall is often at a comfortable height for executing a chiquita.

The chiquita forces the opponent to play a volley from below the waist (upward), giving you a chance to seize the initiative: a weak volley is your opportunity to attack.

Technique

Grip

The chiquita uses a continental grip or semi-western grip:

• Continental — the universal option, allowing you to play the chiquita on both forehand and backhand without changing grip.
• Semi-western — provides slightly more control on the forehand chiquita due to a more stable racket face.

The key element: the racket face should be slightly open (tilted back/upward). This allows the ball to clear the net on a low arc and then drop quickly.

Footwork

Footwork during the chiquita is critically important because the shot is inseparably linked to the forward movement toward the net:

1. Preparation. Identify the moment for the chiquita: the ball is at a comfortable height (between knee and waist), and opponents have moved back from the net.
2. Step forward. Step toward the shot with the front foot. This simultaneously provides balance and initiates the movement toward the net.
3. Low center of gravity. Bend your knees and lower your body. The chiquita is played on a low ball — you need to be at its level.
4. Continue forward. This is the most important element. Immediately after the shot, continue moving toward the net. A chiquita without a net approach is a wasted opportunity.

Swing and Contact

1. Short backswing. The chiquita does not require a large backswing. The racket is taken back minimally — most of the work is done by the wrist and forearm.
2. Soft contact. The keyword is “touch.” The ball should softly clear the net and drop at the opponent’s feet. This is not a power shot.
3. Open racket face. At the moment of contact, the racket face is slightly open. The motion is forward and slightly upward, similar to scooping the ball with your palm.
4. Light slice. Many players add a slight backspin so the ball drops faster after clearing the net and stays low. This is achieved by moving the racket slightly from high to low and forward.
5. Direction. The chiquita is aimed at the nearest opponent’s feet or at the space between the two opponents. The center of the court (between players) is often the best target zone.

Ball Trajectory

The ideal chiquita has a characteristic trajectory:

• Low arc over the net. The ball clears the net with minimal margin — the lower, the better (but not into the net!).
• Quick descent. After crossing the net, the ball drops rapidly, arriving at the opponent’s feet.
• Contact at or below waist level. The goal: force the opponent to play a volley from an uncomfortable low position.

Video Tutorial

Common Mistakes

1. Too much power. The most common mistake. The chiquita is a soft shot. If you hit hard, the ball rises too high, giving the opponent a comfortable volley at chest level. Softness is the key to success.

2. Chiquita when opponents are right at the net. If opponents are standing directly at the net (less than 1-1.5 meters away), the chiquita is ineffective — they will intercept the ball before it drops to their feet. In this case, use a lob instead.

3. No net approach. A chiquita without following to the net is a half-wasted shot. Even if the chiquita is well executed, staying at the back gives the initiative right back to the opponent. Always move forward after the shot.

4. Predictability. If you play the chiquita every time from the same position, opponents will start anticipating and intercepting the ball early. Alternate the chiquita with lobs and other shots.

5. Hitting the net. When striving for a low trajectory, it is easy to overdo it and hit the net. Make sure the racket face is sufficiently open and the motion is directed forward and slightly upward.

Tactical Combinations with the Chiquita

The chiquita reaches its full potential in tactical combinations:

Chiquita + Net Approach

The basic combination:

1. Play a chiquita from the back of the court
2. Immediately move toward the net
3. The opponent is forced to volley from below the waist
4. You intercept the weak response from your advantageous net position

Chiquita + Lob

Alternation pattern:

1. Play a lob — opponents retreat
2. Opponents return to the net
3. Play a chiquita — ball at their feet
4. Opponents do not know what to expect and make errors

Chiquita to the Center

Advanced tactic:

• Direct the chiquita exactly between the two opponents
• This creates confusion: which of the two should play the ball?
• Often leads to racket collisions or delayed reactions

Drills

1. Chiquita over the net. Stand at the service line with a basket of balls. Execute chiquitas over the net, aiming for the ball to land in the zone 1-2 meters beyond the net. This calibrates the softness of the shot and your sense of distance.

2. Chiquita + forward movement. A partner feeds the ball to your back court. Execute a chiquita and move toward the net, where you take the next ball as a volley. Repeat 10 times, then switch roles.

3. Lob-chiquita alternation. A partner stands at the net. Alternate: one shot is a lob, the next is a chiquita. This develops the ability to switch between shots and keep opponents guessing.

4. Chiquita to a target. Place a towel or cone 1.5-2 meters behind the net. Execute chiquitas aiming as close to the target as possible. Goal: 6 out of 10 balls within 1 meter of the target.

5. Match-play focus. In 2v2 match conditions, set a goal: every time you play a chiquita, you must follow to the net. Evaluate after each rally: Did I follow the ball forward? Did I manage to take the net?