The Padel Chiquita
The chiquita is the padel player's answer to a dominant net pair: a low topspin passing shot that lands at the opponents' feet, forcing a difficult volley below net height. This guide covers when to use it, how to hit it, direction choices, and how to use it as a counter-attack from defence.
What is the chiquita?
The chiquita is a low topspin passing shot played from the back court, designed to pass the opposing net players at their feet — below their comfortable volley contact zone. It uses a short compact swing with wrist rotation to produce dipping topspin. The ball passes the net at 30–50 cm height and drops quickly into the mid-court, forcing the opponents into a below-net-height volley. It is both a defensive reset (when cramped) and a counter-attack weapon (when executed with confidence from a controlled position).
Chiquita technique breakdown
Five elements that determine whether your chiquita passes the net players or sits up for an easy volley.
Grip and wrist
Continental or slight Eastern grip. The wrist leads the contact — a gentle forward roll through the ball creates the topspin that makes the chiquita dip. Wrist is not locked; it rotates through contact. A locked wrist produces a flat chip that floats — not a chiquita.
Wrist rotation creates dip. Without it, the ball floats and the opponents can volley it at mid-height.
Contact height
Knee to mid-shin is the ideal contact zone. The chiquita is a low shot — you are hitting from below net height and flicking the ball over the net with spin. If the contact point is too high (hip or above), the ball becomes a normal drive, not a chiquita.
If you're hitting a chiquita from above the knee, you're not in a chiquita situation — you have time for a proper drive.
Swing length
Short and compact. The chiquita is not a power shot — it uses the pace already on the ball from the opponent's serve or volley. Take the ball early, use a short backswing, and roll through the contact. A long backswing from a cramped position produces errors.
Shorter swing = more control. The chiquita's effectiveness comes from placement and spin, not pace.
Follow-through
Forward and slightly upward — following the direction of the ball. The racket face finishes pointing at the target. This is shorter than a full drive follow-through. The forward roll of the wrist through contact is what produces the topspin that makes the ball dip below the opponents' volley zone.
The follow-through should feel like you're flicking the ball up and forward — not slapping it.
Recovery after the chiquita
The chiquita buys time — use it. After playing a chiquita, advance toward the net. The opponents are forced into a low volley from a difficult position — the resulting ball is often slow, medium-height, and attackable. If you stay back after the chiquita, you waste the tactical advantage it creates.
Chiquita → advance to net. The shot earns you time to move forward. Don't stay on the baseline.
Direction choices
Three directions, each with different risk profiles. Cross-court is your default until you are comfortable introducing variation.
Cross-court chiquita (default)
Risk: LowWhen
The default chiquita direction — plays over the lowest part of the net, travels the longest distance, and lands in the middle of the opponents' court between the two net players.
Why it works
Cross-court is the highest-percentage chiquita. It passes over the lowest net point, gives you the most margin, and creates a ball that lands between the two opponents — forcing one of them to move and producing an awkward low volley.
Execution
Aim to land the ball in the mid-court service box area on the cross-court side. Contact height should be at knee to mid-shin level. Clear the net by 30–50 cm and let the ball dip through spin.
Down-the-line chiquita
Risk: MediumWhen
The net player on your side has moved significantly toward the centre or is leaning to intercept the cross-court. A down-the-line chiquita catches them moving the wrong way.
Why it works
The down-the-line chiquita goes over the higher part of the net and has a shorter travel distance — lower margin, higher error rate than cross-court. Use it as a surprise variation, not a default.
Execution
Target the sideline-service box junction. The net player must react late and reach wide for a low volley. Use it when you've established a cross-court pattern and the opponent commits to covering it.
Through-the-middle chiquita
Risk: MediumWhen
Both net players are positioned wide — leaving a gap in the centre corridor. The through-the-middle chiquita splits them.
Why it works
A ball through the middle creates ambiguity — both opponents hesitate, neither moves decisively, and the resulting low volley is often mishit or sent straight back. Effective at club level where centre ball ownership is often unclear.
Execution
Aim for the mid-court centre — the T-junction of the service box. Lower trajectory than cross-court. Both opponents must decide in a split second who takes it.
When to play the chiquita — and when not to
The chiquita is a specific-situation shot. Playing it when a drive would be better is as much of an error as missing the contact.
Return of serve (body serve or jammed serve)
Use itThe most common chiquita situation. A body serve or T serve that jams you prevents a comfortable drive — the chiquita is the correct response. Instead of forcing a cramped drive that produces an error, accept the defensive position and play a controlled chiquita cross-court. The chiquita passes just over the net and dips into the opponents' court, forcing them into a low volley when they were expecting an aggressive return.
Counter-attack from deep defence
Use itWhen both you and your partner are pinned at the back glass by a dominant net pair, the chiquita is the primary counter-attack weapon. A well-executed chiquita passing shot at the net player's feet forces a low volley at knee height — a difficult ball to put away from that height. If the net pair overhit the volley or send it back soft, you and your partner can advance.
When you have an easy mid-height ball
Don't use it — drive insteadIf you have time, balance, and a ball above the knee with opponents at net — this is a drive or lob situation, not a chiquita. The chiquita is a shot for low, cramped, or pressured situations. Playing a chiquita when you could drive wastes an attacking opportunity and keeps the opponents at net, where they want to be.
Breaking a dominant net pair's pattern
Use it as variationIf the net pair is intercepting every drive volley comfortably — timing their split steps perfectly and putting away high volleys — mix in a chiquita to force a change. The chiquita forces them into a low volley, which they can't put away with the same authority. One or two chiquitas can reset a pattern that was working against you.
Slow or short ball in the back court
Don't use it — better options availableA slow ball that sits up at hip height or higher in the back court is not a chiquita situation. You have time for a full swing — use a proper topspin drive or a lob to force the net pair back. Playing a chiquita from a comfortable contact position produces a weaker shot than a drive and gives the opponents an easy mid-height volley.
Chiquita vs lob: decision framework
Both shots are responses to a dominant net pair — but they achieve different things. Use this framework to decide which to play.
Ball height at contact
Below knee to mid-shin — a low contact point. The chiquita uses short compact technique and is designed for balls at this height.
Mid-body or above, or any height when you have time to take a full swing. The lob can be executed from higher contact points with more control.
Your position on court
Inside the back quarter of the court, not deep in the back glass corner. You need a clear low ball and room to follow through.
Anywhere — baseline, back glass, sideline. The lob is the shot when you're in serious trouble or pinned to the glass.
Opponent net position
Opponents are right at the net, aggressive, closing in for smashes. The chiquita passes at their feet — below smash height.
Opponents are at net but not closing. A high lob over their heads forces them back and resets the point.
Your intent
Counter-attack — you're passing the net players and advancing yourself. The chiquita is not purely defensive.
Reset — you're buying time, forcing the opponents back, and recovering your own position.
Risk level
Moderate. Passing the net pair requires precision — if the contact is off or the ball is too high, they can volley it. From a truly cramped position, a blocked chiquita is safer than a full one.
Lower from deep defence, higher if hit short. A deep lob to the back glass is low risk. A short lob is the easiest ball to smash in padel.
4 chiquita drills
The chiquita requires repetition at low contact heights under pressure. These drills build the shot across different game scenarios.
Chiquita to cones (cross-court)
Place two cones in the mid-court cross-court service box. Feeder hits short balls to the forehand or backhand at knee height. Player plays chiquitas targeting the cones. 20 reps each side. Focus on contact height and wrist rotation — not pace.
Focus: Accuracy, contact height, wristReturn of serve chiquita
Partner serves body serves to both courts. Returner plays chiquitas cross-court every time — no drives. 3 sets of 10 serves. Trains the default response to a jammed serve and builds automatic chiquita muscle memory for the return.
Focus: Return pressure, cramped contactDefence to chiquita to net approach
Feeder is at net and hits consecutive volleys to your feet. You play chiquitas and advance toward the net after each one. Feeder continues volleying. If the chiquita forces a difficult low volley, you win the point. Repeat 15 times.
Focus: Net approach after chiquita, pressure under fireDown-the-line chiquita variation
Set up cross-court pattern: feeder hits to your backhand, you play cross-court chiquita. Every 5th ball, feeder signals with a hand gesture — you play down-the-line instead. Trains the variation without telegraphing.
Focus: Direction decision, disguiseFrequently asked questions
What is a chiquita in padel?
A low topspin passing shot played from the back court to pass the opposing net players at their feet. It uses a short compact swing with wrist rotation, clears the net at 30–50 cm, and dips quickly below the opponents' comfortable volley zone. Used when you are cramped, under pressure, or counter-attacking a dominant net pair.
When do you use the chiquita in padel?
When returning a body serve or jammed T serve, when counter-attacking from deep defence, or when breaking the pattern of a net pair intercepting your drives. Don't use it when you have time for a full drive — the chiquita is for low, cramped, or pressured situations.
How do you hit a chiquita in padel?
Continental grip, short backswing, contact at knee to mid-shin height. Roll the wrist forward through contact to produce topspin. Clear the net by 30–50 cm, aim cross-court to the mid-court service box. After playing it, advance toward the net — the chiquita buys time to move forward.
What is the difference between a chiquita and a lob in padel?
The chiquita is a low passing shot through the opponents at their feet. The lob goes over the opponents' heads. Chiquita for low ball at knee height with opponents close to the net; lob for deeper pressure or when you need to reset the point. Chiquita is a counter-attack, lob is a reset.
Which direction should you hit a chiquita in padel?
Cross-court is the default: lowest net point, highest margin, lands between the two opponents. Use down-the-line as variation when the net player on your side is leaning cross-court. Use through-the-middle when both opponents are positioned wide.
Related guides
Padel Net Play
Net positioning, volleys & doubles role split at the net.
ReadPadel Shots Guide
Every padel shot explained — chiquita, bandeja, vibora, and more.
ReadPadel Strategy Guide
Attack & defence transitions, shot selection & tactical patterns.
ReadThe Padel Lob
Defensive & offensive lob technique, height targets & drills.
ReadReturn of Serve
Receiver positioning, shot selection & handling body serves.
ReadHow to Choose a Coach
Find a coach to build your chiquita under match pressure.
ReadThe chiquita is a confidence shot — coaches build it faster than solo drilling.
A padel coach will feed low balls at your contact zone under realistic pressure, correct your wrist action and swing path in real time, and give you the repetitions and pattern drills to make the chiquita automatic — the way the best defensive players use it.
Find a Coach Near You