Chiquita technique: racket face and soft trajectory
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do I hit a chiquita that allows me to approach the net?
You must open your racket face early and use your left hand to guide the racket. Focus on creating a high, soft arc that lets gravity drop the ball, rather than trying to hit it with pace.
What this lesson covers
The chiquita requires a soft, arched trajectory to force the ball to drop and float, creating time to approach the net. Players often struggle by keeping the racket face too vertical, which prevents them from taking the pace off the ball. Proper preparation involves holding the racket firmly with the left hand and opening the racket face early during the backswing. This setup allows the player to get under the ball and simply bump it upward, relying on gravity to control the descent rather than hitting through the ball with power.
Drills focus on starting with a low feed to practice the open racket face and the controlled bump. Once the arc is consistent, the player transitions to hitting from the back of the court, aiming for a target zone near the fence. The goal is to hit a shot that forces the opponent to volley upward, providing an opportunity to move forward and cover the middle. Even with a successful chiquita, players should avoid rushing to the net unless the ball truly dies. It is often better to hit a neutral shot and wait for the right moment to advance.
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Original video
Added on Nov 3, 2026
Description
Struggling to slow the ball down with your Chiquita? Even experienced players can find this shot difficult. In this coaching session, we help Jay improve his Chiquita by focusing on racket preparation, an open racket face and a soft, controlled trajectory. You'll learn how to take the pace off the ball, create better opportunities to approach the net and recognise when to move forward — and when to wait. 🎾 Want to improve your padel game? Join The Padel School for structured training, coaching feedback and practical drills. ‼️WHAT'S NEW IN THE PADEL SCHOOL‼️ Padel Spinpro (Get 10% off by using code TPS10): https://topspinpro.com/tps?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita EXPLORE OUR OFFERS The Padel School Membership (with FREE Trial): https://thepadelschool.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita TPS Match Journal: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-match-journal?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita Access 75+ Drills for Every Level: TPS Drill Book For Players: https://thepadelschool.com/drill-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita Our BOOK - The Padel Player's Guide: https://thepadelschool.com/the-padel-players-guide?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita Get our Mental Toughness Course: https://thepadelschool.com/mental-toughness-course?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita Get the Slinger Machine (Discount Code: TPS10): https://slingerpadel.com/en/?srsltid=AfmBOoqpHJsOqkIwD8nbbIldrG57LRk5hyhjbwpadCVZEW8E61nA6A2J?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=longform_110226_How_to_Perfect_Your_Chiquita #Padel #PadelTips #Chiquita
Good for
Skill level
Court position
Service line, Backcourt
Play style
Offensive
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