Learn the chiquita in padel: the soft ball from the back court at the net players' feet, with milestones, common mistakes, safety notes and FAQ.
The chiquita (Spanish for "the little one") is a softly hit ball from the back court at the feet of the players at the net. The LTA describes its purpose like this: force a weak volley or half volley that you can then attack [1]. It is not a makeshift solution but the means to get out of defence without lobbing the ball up.
The honest answer to "chiquita or lob?": both have their place. According to an analysis of 1,324 actions in women's pro padel, the lob is the most effective shot for reaching the attacking position [2]. It helps when you must gain time or push the net players back. The chiquita pays off when the opponents are already at the net, the lob would be too risky and you can play the ball low and controlled. Important: whoever is at the net has a clear advantage in padel. In an analysis of 41 pro matches, finishing at the net increased the probability of a winning shot for the serving pair [3], and LTA coaches regard the back court as a disadvantaged position [4].
Honestly: there is no dedicated study on the chiquita's success rate. In observation instruments it counts as its own shot type on the way to the net (next to lob and passing shot) [5], nothing more. Everything below is therefore practical standard and LTA description.
How long does it take? The technique is explained in one session. Until you place the ball softly and low under pressure, expect weeks (practical experience, not a study).
If both opponents are at the net and you are in the back court, you have two main options: lob or chiquita. The LTA recommends the lob when you are under pressure or want to push the opponents away from the net [7]. You choose the chiquita when you have time and control and the opponents should not retreat but have to play low.
Milestone: In 8 of 10 situations you make a conscious choice – and can justify it.
For groundstrokes the LTA advises early preparation and a short backswing; you "push" the ball through instead of swinging back [8]. For the chiquita that applies even more: it needs no pace but control.
Milestone: The racket is back before the ball bounces.
The target is the net player's feet, not the body: they should have to reach down. Cross-court or through the middle is safer because you have more room and net clearance there; the LTA names cross-court as the safer direction for the lob [7], and the principle can be transferred to the chiquita (practical experience). The contact point is in front of the body; trained players hit groundstrokes 7 to 32 cm further forward than beginners [9].
Milestone: 6 of 10 chiquitas land so that the net player has to play low.
Without moving up, the chiquita is just a slow ball. Go two steps forward after the shot so you can attack the reply. In the pro analysis, finishing at the net raised the chance of a winning shot [3].
Milestone: After 6 of 10 chiquitas you are near the net before the opponent hits for the second time.
Whoever always plays the same chiquita gets read. Switch between chiquita and lob and vary direction and pace.
Milestone: In 10 rallies you play at least three different variants.
Make the chiquita the first ball of the rally, not the last resort. If you use it straight after the return or the serve, you force the opponents into a rhythm they are not used to (practical experience). Practise a "chiquita duel" with a partner: you only play chiquitas against each other; whoever lifts the ball loses the point.
A softly hit ball from the back court at the feet of the net players. The LTA describes that it is meant to force a weak volley or half volley that is then attacked [1].
Neither in general. According to a pro analysis the lob is the most effective shot for reaching the attacking position [2]; the chiquita pays off when you have control and want to force the opponents down.
At the feet of one net player, preferably cross-court or through the middle (practical experience). A high ball immediately becomes a volley.
No. The chiquita is listed as a shot type in observation instruments [5], but its success rate has not been published separately.
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