This is a
list of techniques used in capoeira. Capoeira has a variety of different techniques that make use of the hands, feet, legs, arms and head. Both kicks, punches and takedowns are among the offensive movements, but the emphasis is normally on kicking. Because of the appearance of many techniques, they are often mistaken for dancing or acrobatic maneuvers. However, while capoeira has some quite impressive, acrobatic signature moves, many of the basic techniques in capoeira are similar to those found in other martial arts.
Please be aware that different groups may use different names for the same techniques, or use the same name for different techniques.
Movement
Ginga
The
ginga (pronounced
jinga; literally:
rocking back and forth;
to swing) is the fundamental movement in capoeira. Capoeira Angola and capoeira regional have distinctive forms of this movement. In Angola, ginga is a very free and individualistic, while in regional is very structured but own style is still allowed.
Both are accomplished by maintaining both feet approximately shoulder-width apart and then moving one foot backwards and then back to the base, describing a triangular 'step' on the ground.
Ginga movement is done to prepare the body for other movements: hiding, dodging, feinting and attacking. It puts a capoeiristas in constant motion, making them a frustrating target for an opponent.
The rest of the body is also involved in the ginga: coordination of the arms (in such a way as to prevent the body from being kicked), torso (many core muscles may be engaged depending on the player's style), and the leaning of the body (forward and back in relation to the position of the feet; the body leans back to avoid kicks, and forward to create opportunities to show attacks). The overall movement should match the rhythm being played by the
bateria.
Cadeira
The cadeira is the position in the ginga when both legs are squared off. This makes it the actual base of the ginga. Depending on how the capoeira academy teaches it, it is usually a low position similar to one that a shortstop has right before stopping a ground ball. One arm is protecting the face while the other is extended out protecting the other side. Since it is essentially a low squat with the torso slightly bent at the waist, most of the core muscles are engaged to keep balance. All attack, movements, and esquivas can flow seeminglessly from this position including balança, au, queda de rins, martelo, resistência, and many others.
Aú
An
aú is the capoeira term for what is more generally called a cartwheel. It differs a bit from the traditional cartwheel or aerial cartwheel. An aú, in its base form, is performed, sometimes very slowly, with arms and legs bent in order to keep a low target profile. Also the back can be curved in order to perform a kicking maneuver. Since a capoeira player always risks being kicked while upside down, capoeira players also make sure to watch their opponent rather than look at the ground. Capoeira players can incorporate attacks from the cartwheel, including a kick known as an
Aú Malandro or
Aú Batido. They sometimes freeze halfway through the cartwheel to get into the handstand position, from which they can execute a wide variety of moves. The aú variants are:
- Aú Aberto?From esquiva, the free arm reaches in an arc over the head in the direction of motion. The leg extended furthest from the body leaves the ground first, kicking off and providing momentum. Then the reaching hand is placed on the far side of the body. Bending the arms at the elbows supports weight as both legs pass over the body fully extended. While inverted, the body should be opened and entirely extended. One foot touches the ground then the other. The arms must be lifted for protection as soon as they are no longer supporting weight.
- Aú Batido?The aú batido (sometimes called Aú Amazonas or Amazonica) is an aú variation where a practitioner does a handstand, followed by a twist with the hips and a split. Aú batido literally means "broken cartwheel". This movement is a defensive move, used when attempting to perform a cartwheel and the opponent attacks, generally with a cabeçada, a headbutt, the aú batido takes place, attacking the opponent by surprise before the attack is executed. The aú batido is sometimes also used in doubt or simply as a trick move. This move is also performed in tricking, and for quality, it is also used often in breakdancing where it is known as the L-kick.
- Aú Fechado?From esquiva or negativa, the free arm reaches in an arc over the head in the direction of motion. The leg extended furthest from the body leaves the ground first, kicking off and providing momentum. Then the reaching hand is placed on the far side of the body. Bending the arms at the elbows supports weight as both legs pass bent in front of and slightly over the body. While inverted, the body should be closed and maximally protected. One foot touches the ground and then the other. The last step is return to esquiva.
- Aú Malandro-A different name for the Au Batido. As stated above, the capoeirista begins with an au, stops midway and releases a downward martelo. During the kick, one arm is protecting the face while the other one is obviously supporting the body. Players that are more acrobatic can do it on one side and switch to the other side before landing. Many trickers and XMAs have adopted this move.
- Aú sem Mão?An aú performed without hands in the same manner as the aerial cartwheel. Can be used to stylishly avoid sweeps such as a rasteira or banda.
Image:Auregional.gif|Aú Aberto (open aú)Image:Auangole.gif|Aú Fechado (closed aú)Image:Lkick.jpg|Aú Batido (broken aú)
Balança
A series of side to side jukes done with the torso to deceive the opponent and throw off their timing. Done from the forward ginga, also known as the
Cavalo,or Horse stance.
Chapéu-de-Couro
Folha Seca
Known as a gainer in tricking is essentially a backflip while walking forward.
Macaco
Macaco is similar to a back handspring with the exception of starting with one hand planted behind you. The other hand is thrown over your body while pushing off with both feet to launch your body straight over, as you pass through a handstand position you may place the other hand on the ground before bringing your feet back to the ground. The move is commonly called the Monkey jump as the word Macaco literally translates to monkey.
Negativa
From Back Ginga, fall with the forward leg extended fully, rotated slightly outward but resting on the heel, the rear leg bends at the knee with the sole of the foot placed flat on the ground. One palm touches the ground for support on the side of the extended leg with the rest of the weight on the bent leg. The other forearm is up in a blocking position in front of or slightly above the face.The Negativa de Angola is a variation on this position used to escape low attacks, with the head and torso very low and parallel to the floor, the second hand on the floor for support and the extended leg usually bent around the front of the other foot. since both hands are on the floor it is easy to vary the position of the legs, for example to execute a rasteira.
Ponte
Also known as a back bend, the stomach faces upward and the hands and feet push to keep the back arched and off the floor.
Rabo-de-Arraia
thumb|students of the havana group of capoeira angola performing the Rabo de Arraia.Literally translates to "stingray's tail." Same as "
Meia-lua de Compasso". One of the "Basic Movements" of the capoeira. In "Angola Style" the execution must be very slow, because it is very important for develop the necessary continuity in the Roda.
Rolê
Rolê: This 'rolling' motion is -together with the Ginga and the Au- the basic method of moving around in the Roda. The diagramm to the right shows the Rolê from the Negativa into the Ginga. Start from the Negativa. Lean to the side you're going to rolê to (image: left, always the side with the stretched leg) and shift your weight a little forwards. Push yourself up by stretching your bent leg while rotating along the axis of your left leg until your chest faces the ground. Left hand gives support. Now put your other hand on the floor and swing your right leg around; look through between your legs to keep your partner within your field of vision. Finally take off your left leg and swing it around as well; rotate for 180 degrees and put it down behind. Better keep your upper body low until you finished the rolê, else you could eat an Armada. Keep your eyes fixed at your partner for the entire movement; when your body is facing away, let your head hang down.P.S. You need not rolê into the Ginga stance. It's perfectly right to rolê closer to the ground into Negativa position again.
Here we have the Rolê combined with the Martelo. Easy and useful. Just stand up from the Negativa but keep your hand on the ground. This creates tension around the hips on the side of your rear leg. If you now take off your rear leg, it should soar through the air; hit with the instep and put it down after rotating 180 degrees. Continue the Rolê movement as described above.
To put it in other words: do the Rolê but lift your rear leg a little higher and keep it stretched when turning.If you do the same movement with jumping off, it's called S-Dobrado.
This is basically an ordinary Rolê but with a Meia Lua de Compasso tossed in. Easier to do if you are further away, so you can role towards your partner instead of escaping him. Just think of a Rolê where you strike with the heel of the leg that was stretched in the Negativa. Here's the description for the proper execution of a Meia Lua de Compasso.
Troco Do Pé
Literally
Change of Foot, From the Negativa, a slight hop during which the extended leg becomes the support leg and the guard arm becomes the support arm and vice versa.
Defensive movements
Cocorinha
One of the simplest defense movements. With the feet flat on the ground the player squats with the knees to the chest so as to close the body and covers the side of the torso and head with one hand while the other is flat aft and to the side for support.
Esquiva
Literally
escape. many forms exist but all involve moving the head and torso out of the way of an attack.
Esquiva de Baixa
"Escape low", this looks like an extremely low ginga. The back foot is exaggerated and placed even farther back to bring the body closer to the ground. If the left foot is back then the right hand will be placed on the floor, the left hand will be guarding your face.
Esquiva Lateral
"Escape lateral", it is executed while the feet are in a parallel position. The escape is simply bringing the torso down and to the left or right (depending on where your opponents kick is coming from) and reaching your hand over your head or placed in front of your face for protection. Some schools will place the hand not guarding on the floor to get even lower.
Queda de Quatro
Literally
fall of four. Simply fall backwards into a crab-walk position, often followed by scurrying backwards and away from the opponent.
Queda de Tres
Falling back onto the wrists and one leg. The other leg is up because this position is often "forced" when the player is taken down from being supported on a single leg. For example: sweeping the base leg of armada leads the fallen player to, hopefully, end in this position.
Resistência
This is very similar to its sister, the
negativa. However, instead of resting on the entire sole of the foot, the ball of the foot supports a majority of the weight with the arm on the opposing side helping. The fingers on the supporting hand should be flat to protect the wrist. The other arm is raised slightly to protect the face while the other leg is extended outward with a slight bend to it. This slight bend is very important as it protects the leg from any trauma that a straight leg would fracture under. Because the knee is extended farther past the supporting foot, stretching of the quadricep and gastrosoleus muscles are a necessity for this position because of the added stress it places on the knee after prolonged use. Since most beginners tend to look down at the floor in while in resistência, it is highly advised to always look up and keep your eyes on the other player. As some capoeira groups each have different names for moves the resistência is sometimes known as the negativa.
Kicks
Armada
In Capoeira, an
armada is a basic move that consists in kicking your opponent with a spinning kick. The leg that is positioned behind in the ginga is the leg used to hit your opponent. You shift your body to the side that your body will spin, turn in your a 180 degrees move (from the shifted position, what corresponds to a 270 degrees spin in the Ginga initial position), then, with the force from the turn, your leg will swing off and then get back to the Ginga position. The leg motion is similar to a Queixada except the technique begins with a spin.
It's one of the initial moves learned in Capoeira, although the ability acquired in the move gives you capacity of use many other moves and combos, like the
Queixada - Armada - Meia-lua de Compasso. It's also one of the most used moves in a Roda.
Armada Dupla
The distinguishing feature of this move is the fact that both legs remain together during the take off and execution; its name is derived from this feature. Its name literally means "double armada". After the take off, the torso stays upright and vertical, but will begin to quickly torque in order to swing the legs around and upwards. At the peak of this move, the body is in the shape of a "V". The legs continue to swing over as the body straightens out for the landing. In tricking, this move is called a Double Leg.
Armada com Martelo
You make the same move of an Armada, before the foot gets to the ground you rise up the other leg sending a Martelo.
Benção
Means "bless". It is a straight forward frontal push kick. It is commonly aimed at the abdominal or chest area, and the capoeirista hits with either the whole sole of her foot or with the heel.
Chapa
This is usually a generic term for various kicks that strike out in a pushing manner with the heel as opposed to the spinning ones. The target for these kicks is usually dependent on the academy. Most academies strike the head and chest area while others continue down towards the knee and shin. This kick can be used in a roda to push away the other player for distance, or as a devastating strike.
It resembles a kick from a horse or mule in which both hands are usually on the ground while one of the legs is pushed outward towards the other player. It is a clever attack that can be delivered out of a role towards the groin or knee of the other player possibly causing permanent damage. In the lower and closer games of Capoeira Angola and Bengela, it will sometimes be thrown as two players are entering the roda simultaneously knocking one out of his au.
A side kick from the front. As seen in
yeop chagi or
yoko geri, the capoeirista turns his body simultaneously raising his knee across the outside of his torso. He/she pushes their leg, hitting the surface area with the bottom of their foot, retracts it, and returns back to the ginga. The torso can also lean back for added height. Just like with the martelo, the capoeirista's inside arm protects his/her face while the outside is used for balance. This is one of many attacks that has limitless variations including one from a balança or a jumping one to the front similar to Bruce Lee's famous kick scene in Way of the Dragon. This variation is also called a Cruzado.
Capoeira?s answer for the reverse side kick. It is done is the same way as
bandae yeop chagi in TKD with the capoeirista stepping forward while turning his torso and torso. At the same time he raises his back leg up, unleashing it at the apex of the turn. It is a dangerous kick as it has broken ribs and worst in the past. Many who are masters of this kick have sent one too many unfortunate souls flying out of a roda.
Chibata
This is a meia lua de compasso with no hands for support. This move can be dangerous for both players (the one doing it and the one receiving it) due to the speed and absence of control once the kick is initiated.
Compasso
Martelo
A
Martelo is a type of kick as practiced in Capoeira. The martelo, which literally means "hammer" can be described as a sort of roundhouse kick. In generic terms, it is a strike with the instep or ball in some cases towards the opponents body. It is commonly delivered from a standing position but can be delivered from a cartwheel (au batido) or handstand.
A roundhouse kick. It is performed by rotating the standing leg in, raising the kicking leg's knee and stretching the lower leg to make contact with the opponent using the instep of the striking foot. In capoeira, control and precision are normally more important than force and inflicting damage. Commonly seen in most games -depending on the style of the group - a Martelo is not used to damage as much as to briefly sting the opponent in between a quick succession of moves. The martelo is therefore most often executed as a snap style kick, unlike the powerful roundhouse kicks found for instance in muay thai. The temple and side of the face is the most common target for this move; however, others may include the ribs, inner, and outer thigh.
Martelo from the Floor. It can be delivered upward from a lower position usually right before a rolé while in esquiva baixa or downward going into a queda de rins. With one hand on the ground the capoeirista lifts his kicking leg up spinning it towards the other player. Has the look of a meia lua de compasso in reverse.
A spinning martelo. It resembles the roundhouse of Muay Thai more because it is usually delivered from the back leg with the thigh and foot facing inward before they are fully extended. Control is sacrificed for power and speed as the leg does not stop, but follows through in a spinning motion.
Meia-lua de Compasso
A
Meia-lua de compasso (
lit: half moon compass) is a ducked spinning kick with outstretched leg performed in Capoeira. Because of the ducking motion, it is intended to be used as an evasive kick and even a counter-kick. It is often linked into combos for Roda.
Meia-lua de Frente
Meia Lua de Frente(Front Half Moon) is an outside-inside cresent kick seen in other martial arts. This kick involves using the arms and hips to generate enough force to bring the foot of the kicking leg across the face of the player. While it can be used as an attack itself, it mainly is used as a poke or trap for another attack. Other uses for it can be as a combination with cartwheels and other acrobatic moves therefore working as an escape.
Meia-lua Pulada
The Meia-lua Pulada is a onehanded au, that is somewhat tilted towards the other player. You use the opposite hand of the way you are doing the au to stand on, and the last leg to leave the ground is the kicking leg. It is very important that the other player is aware of what you are doing, since you cannot stop this kick.
Ponteira
Ponteira is the simple front snap-kick. In capoeira it is performed by lifting the knee and quickly extending the leg with toes pulled back while tilting the torso slightly backwards to strike the opponent in the abdomen, chest or face. Contrary to the Bencao this is intended as a hard and fast striking kick, and the striking point is the ball of the foot.
Queixada
Pronounced "kay-shah-dah", this move is one of the most commonly used of the basic kicks in capoeira due to its ease, power, and easy integration into move combinations. To execute with the right leg, one begins in mid-ginga stance, with the left leg back and the right forward. From this position, step slightly to the left with the right leg, shifting body weight onto the forward (right) leg while the body faces left. Immediately bring the left leg forward, crossing it behind the right while beginning to throw body weight forward to gain momentum. When the body weight is fully resting on the left leg, release the right leg, kicking it in a large, sweeping arc to the right, keeping the leg straight throughout. When the kick has been completed, the capoeirista is now in mid-ginga stance, except now with the right leg back and the left forward.
Throughout this move one must always remember to guard his or her face using the thick part of the forearms (as is done in all capoeira moves).Reverse all directions (left-right and vice versa) in order to execute a queixada with the left leg.
Raiz
A raiz is a type of kick used in capoiera. It could be described as a sideswipe with less rotation, so the practitioner lands on the rear leg from the take off instead of the kicking leg.However, in terms of tricking, the raiz is not a kick, but rather an evasive move aimed to avoid an attack toward the legs. The set-up for the raiz is exactly like the 540 kick, but the technique required for a successful raiz is similar to a Double Leg. In starting this move, the practitioner turns slightly sideways at the waist with the arm-swing motion. once the set-up is accomplished, the first leg is thrown straight up while having the head thrown back. this motion causes the practitioner's back to become parallel to the ground. The first leg travels around like a Double Leg and the second leg trails behind it. The first leg lands first on the ground and the second leg lags behind. The second leg should not be rushed, but rather be relaxed and let it fall by itself.
S-Dobrado
Vôo-do-Morcego
Similar to a drop-kick, with the exception of it moving much more forward
Punches
Asfixiante
Cutelo
A swinging motion of the arms with the hands very loose like a whip
Cortavelhada
An normal elbow attack, often used by Mestres. It's used when players are very close.
Dedeira
An attack to the eyes that truly reveals the malice of capoeira. It mostly shown and rarely executed in rodas today because the harm it causes. It is in eyepoke with the index and middle finger of the hand. As it must be understood that an attack such as this was usually done to disorientate the attacker for a quick escape.
Galopante
The galopante is not really a punch, but more of a slap. The capoeirista strikes the side of the opponents face with her open hand in a swinging motion. The galopante is not meant to cause much damage to the opponent, but is often used as a distraction, or to tell the opponent that his guard is to open.
Godeme
Backhand strike, normally to the face.
Telefone
An attack with both hands hitting the opponent's ears at the same time. This attack is used rarely as it is considered too aggressive.
Head butts
Arpão de Cabeça
Cabeçada
The
Cabeçada (pronounced: ka-be-SA-da,
lit.: head butt) is an offensive movement of Capoeira in which the attacker pushes the opponent with his head or forehead. Generally a cabeçada is performed when the opponent is executing an open au (cartwheel) but can be performed against any move where the belly of an opponent is exposed.
Escorumelo
Takedowns
Takedowns are normally considered a bit aggressive in capoeira, and attempting a takedown might be seen as a test of an opponent's skills. However, the frequency of takedowns in the roda varies from group to group. One situation where takedowns are common, is during the Batizado ceremony.This is when the Mestre (Master) gives the new students their first belt, or the senior students their next belt according to their progress in capoeira. In such a ceremony, the mestre(s) will try to take his students down, sometimes several times during a game.
Due to the emphasis on kicking, the most common takedowns in capoeira are sweeps, but there are also takedowns employing the hands, arms, legs or shoulders to push, lift or throw the opponent to the ground.
Açoite-de-Braço
Arrastão
Classic double leg takedown. The capoeirista grabs the opponent behind the knees and pulls/lifts while pushing the opponent backwards with the shoulder, driving him to the ground.While seen as a double leg takedown, in many situations it will change to a single leg takedwon. Ironically in the evolution of things, this move is usually countered with a sprawl or even a guillotine choke depending on the school or academy. Many times this move opens up the eyes to those who see it as only a recreational "dance".
Banda
Banda is a sweep kick, the objective of which is to pull one of the opponent's feet making him lose his balance and fall. It is performed from a standing position.
Banda de Costa
A defensive counter-attack performed against a kick.The opponent's kick is caught on the biceps and trapped by lifting the arm while holding on to the leg. While catching the leg one must protect the face with the opposite hand. From here one can either lift the opponent's leg straight up to make him/her fall backwards or take a step forward and sweep the opponent's other leg with the feet.
Banda por Dentro
Boca de Calça
A takedown executed by grabbing the opponent's pant legs or ankles and pulling.
Boca de Calça de Costas
An version of the Boca de Calça that involves turning your back, reaching between your legs, and pulling the other player down by his ankles or cuffs. It is usually done crouching under a kick and pulling the supporting ankle of the leg not extended through the capoeirista's leg. This is not as easy as it sounds because of the timing involved. Many who see this coming would go for a RNC by hopping onto the capoeirista's back. A dangerous counter to this is a jump backwards ensuring the person applying the choke receives the the blunt force of the ground.
Cruz
("The cross") This couterattack is initiated in response to a kick, such as a bençao. The defending player steps aside in order to allow the other player's leg to fully stretch in front of him. Then the defending player steps back into his original position in an upward movement with both arms at a right angle with his body to form a cross. Thus the outstretched leg will land on his forearm or shoulder, leaving the attacking player with one leg in the air and exposed to a banda for instance.
Negativa Derrubando
Negativa with a Tesoura
Rasteira
Rasteira is a movement used to sweep or pull an opponent's leg in response to a kick. The capoeirista dodges the kick, hooks the opponent's standing foot with his own foot and pulls. The rasteira allows the capoeirista to use the muscles in the torso as well as his body weight, making it a much more powerful move than a banda. Rasteiras are usually used when medium-high kicks are in motion.e.g. Opponent uses armada, you rasteira on the inside leg which in turn will make your opponent fall.
Tesoura
Tesoura literally means "scissors ", usually involving wrapping one leg over the front of the opponent's body near the stomach, and the other behind the legs at knee height, and then twisting one's own body applying pressure on the other person's vulnerable point so as to make them fall over. It is performed from the floor, usually using two hands, but one hand can be used for support while the other can be used to further destabilise the other person and push their upper body backwards.
A variation of the Tesoura(sissors) that targets the legs instead of the torso. Many times after faking a high attack, the capoeirista will move in low hooking his inside leg to the front of his opponent's shin and his other leg to the inner thigh trapping the leg at the knee. With a minimal amount of effort, the capoeirista turns toward his opponent using the trapped knee as a lever knocking the opponent off balance. The end result is the capoeirista on all fours with his feet and hands touching the ground in a resting Adho Mukha Svanasana position staring down at the guy on the ground he just sweep. He has many options of either attacking with a knee strike to the face or an au to escape. This move requires a high level finesse and timing because the hands are never used.
Tombo-de-Ladeira
Vingativa
A low takedown that involves stepping forward and trapping the back legs of an opponent that is in a side stance. The capoeirista also protects his face with his elbow. Once the lead leg of the capoeirista has trapped the leg of the opponent, he shifts the weight in his hips forward and up. If the contact is maintained with the legs the other player then he should be thrown up and away. It should be noted that although this move originally came from batuque, it has similar appearances as some throws/sweeps in Baguazhang.
Floreiros
Footnotes
External links
CapoeiraMartial arts terms
