Padel: Dropping the Ball at Their Feet from the Back

Work on the "chiquita," the soft, low shot from the back of the court that drops at the feet of the net pair. It shows that defending isn't only lobbing, and that a slow, low ball also lets you take the net back.

How to play

1. Explanation: when the opponents are at the net, a soft ball that just clears and lands at their feet forces them to hit up. Demo it against a hard volley (3 min).
2. Touch drill: from the service line, in pairs, send the ball softly so it bounces inside the taped strip by the net (7 min).
3. Chiquita vs. volley: one plays chiquitas from the back while the other volleys at the net; count how many volleys come up above head height (8 min).
4. 2-on-2 challenge game: the back pair earns a bonus point if they make it to the net after a chiquita (8 min).
5. Quick analysis: each pair explains when they chose a lob versus a chiquita and what worked better (4 min).

Rules

• Soft shots: if the ball floats and the net pair smashes, the smash is placement only, no power.
• The net pair stands about 2 m off the net, never right on it.
• Switch roles every 10 balls.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: play at the net with a block volley, or hit chiquitas without moving.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: the teacher signals role changes by holding up a cone.
• Low-confidence students: first throw by hand into the strip before using the paddle.

Learning goals

• Hit a soft, low shot that drops at the opponents' feet.
• Choose between a lob and a low ball based on where the opponents are.
• Turn good defense into getting back to the net.

Equipment for a class of 25

• padel paddles: 30
• padel balls: 30
• cones: 20
• badminton net: 2
• masking tape: 2

Teacher tip

Tape the strip on the ground 1 to 1.5 m from the net to mark the target zone. Common mistake: rushing and over-hitting the chiquita; remind them it's a "guide it" shot, not a "hit it" shot.

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