Key takeaway: A chiquita is a soft, low attacking shot in padel played from the back of the court that drops just over the net and lands at the feet of the opponents at the net. Its job isn't to win the point outright — it's to force a difficult low volley, break the opposition's control of the net, and give you the chance to move forward and take the net yourself. The name comes from the Spanish for "little one," reflecting the short, gentle swing.
Most beginners try to blast their way out of trouble when the other team owns the net. The chiquita does the opposite. It's one of the smartest shots in padel because it turns a defensive position into an attacking one without any power at all. If you've mastered the lob (and got tired of your opponents smashing it back), the chiquita is your next weapon.
Why the chiquita matters
In padel, the net is everything. The team standing at the net controls the point, and the team stuck at the back is on the defensive. For years the standard escape was the lob — but good players read lobs early and punish them with a bandeja or smash.
The chiquita gives you a second option. Instead of sending the ball up and over, you send it low and short, right down at the net players' shoelaces. A ball at the feet is almost impossible to attack. The best your opponents can do is scoop up a soft, high volley — and that's your invitation to move in and take the net.
Mixing lobs and chiquitas also makes you unpredictable. If your opponents can't tell whether the ball is going up or staying low, they can't set up early, and your whole back-court game becomes far more dangerous.
How to hit a chiquita: step by step
The chiquita is played from behind the service line, usually after the ball has come off the back wall and is dropping into a comfortable zone between your knee and your waist.
1. Use a continental grip
Hold the racket with a continental ("shake hands") grip — the same neutral grip you'd use for a lob. That's the point: you want your preparation to look identical so your opponents can't read the shot.
2. Keep your preparation short
There's no big backswing. Take the racket back only slightly and keep the face half-open (slightly tilted up). A compact swing keeps you in control and disguises the shot.
3. Get low and under the ball
Bend your knees and lower your centre of gravity so your racket is underneath the ball, as if you were about to lob. Bending the legs — rather than dropping the racket head — is what lets you control the height.
4. Brush softly through the ball
Make gentle contact, brushing up and through the ball with a touch of topspin or a flat, controlled push. The goal is feel, not force. You want the ball to clear the net by only a few centimetres and dip sharply.
5. Aim for the feet
Target the area right at the net players' feet, ideally through the middle or at the weaker player. As you make contact, straighten your legs slightly to guide the ball rather than hit it.
6. Follow the ball in
A chiquita is an attacking shot, so don't admire it — take a step or two toward the net so you're ready to volley the weak reply.
When to use the chiquita (and when not to)
Use it when:
- Your opponents control the net and you're pinned at the back.
- A lob would be too predictable, or they're well positioned to smash it.
- The ball sits at a comfortable height (knee to waist) after the back-wall bounce.
- There's a good 2–3 metres of space between the net players and the net for the ball to drop into.
Avoid it when:
- The net players are already backing away from the net — there's no gap at their feet to exploit.
- The ball is too low or awkward, forcing you to lift it and hand them an easy attack.
- You're rushed or off balance; a poor chiquita sits up perfectly for a smash.
Chiquita vs lob: what's the difference?
Both shots are escape tools from the back of the court, but they work in opposite directions. A lob sends the ball high over the net players to push them back and buy you time. A chiquita keeps the ball low and short, forcing them to dig it up from their feet. The lob resets the rally; the chiquita tries to win control of the net. Great players use both, chosen shot to shot, so opponents never know which is coming.
Kit that helps your touch game
The chiquita is all about control and feel, and your equipment plays a part. A control-oriented, round-shaped racket with a soft core gives you a larger sweet spot and more feedback on soft shots — ideal while you're learning touch. A worn, slippery grip is the enemy of a delicate shot, so a fresh overgrip keeps the racket stable in your hand through those gentle, brushing contacts. Explore padel rackets & paddles and browse grips to dial in your setup.
Final word
The chiquita rewards patience over power. Practise it as a controlled, disguised alternative to the lob, aim for the feet, and always move forward behind it. Get it right and you'll stop being a sitting target at the back of the court — and start dictating the point.
Frequently asked questions
What does "chiquita" mean in padel?
Chiquita is Spanish for "little one." In padel it describes a small, soft, low shot played from the back of the court that lands at the net players' feet.
Is the chiquita an attacking or defensive shot?
It's an attacking shot played from a defensive position. You use it to break the opponents' control of the net and create a chance to move forward, rather than just to survive.
What grip should I use for a chiquita?
A continental (neutral) grip — the same one you use for a lob — so your opponents can't predict whether the ball is going high or staying low.
Where should a chiquita land?
Right at the feet of the net players, ideally after clearing the net by only a few centimetres so it dips sharply and is very hard to volley.
Chiquita or lob — which is better?
Neither; they solve different problems. The lob pushes opponents back, the chiquita keeps them low at their feet. Good players mix both to stay unpredictable.
Gear up with AIXO
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