everything - Capoeira moves

Moves

Welcome to our "Moves" page. Here we will explain and even show you some of the basic Capoeira moves that are used by every Capoeirista. Unfortunately, we will not put in the advanced moves because in Capoeira, as in every sport, you must first start with the basics. Also, we simply do not know the advanced moves very well as we are not professionals.

The Ginga

    The very basic move that you must know to play Capoeira is called the ginga. If you can't ginga, then you can't play, it is that simple. This is a maneuver that will keep the player to keep moving nonstop which will help in two ways. The opponent will be confused at your constant movement, and will be unsure how to attack.
    Basically, to do this you keep you feet in motion by aligning them in a triangular pattern. To start, put your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Move your right foot behind you, and after it touches the ground, move it back to the starting position. Then, move your left leg behind you where your right foot just was. Once that foot touches the ground, move it back under your shoulder, just like you did with your right foot.
    This is a continuous motion that will not stop unless you begin an attack or dodge. In case you are having trouble following my instructions, look at the video which shows Tommy doing the ginga. You can find the video right here or on the Video Page.

Tommy and the Ginga

The Negativa en Role

This move is the next most common among all Capoeiristas. It is a dodge type move which benefits the player by adverting a kick as well as counterattacking by trying to trip the opponent . It is a rather effective move, of course. However, among the great players of Capoeira, the counter is easily defendable by simply using an au, or cartwheel, to get away.
Click the link below to watch the negativa en role.

Negativa En Rolé

Aù

    The Aù is very simple and very important. You probably already know what it is, you just never called it an au before. Well, it is, in English, a cartwheel. In case you don't know what it is, or you don't know how to do one properly, let us explain.
    First, spread you legs about shoulder width apart, and put both arms up in the air like a "V". Then fall to either side and let your nearest hand grab the floor. As you do this, kick your body in the air so that you are upside down. Once you are upside down, your other hand will grab the floor as well to keep your balance. Then it is a matter of spinning until your legs finally reach the floor again.
    Once you can do this easily, start practicing one handed cartwheels. Here is a video in case my explanation was not sufficient enough.

Aù

Armada

    The armada is an offensive attack using your legs. This is difficult for beginners, as we have found, however, once practiced enough, you get the hang of it. It involves spinning, looking, and kicking.
    First, you must spin your head and torso 180 degrees. Then your legs will begin to spin, but as you do, keep your head around until you can see your opponent. After seeing him/her, you can spin completely and bring your nearest leg up in the air, kicking your opponent in the body or head area.
    Once again, here is a video. I did say that it is difficult for beginners, but we are getting the hang of it, so it looks very well.

Armada

Queixada

    This is another commonly used kick for all players. This does not involve any spin movement like the Armada, but it requires speed and accuracy, like every offensive movement.
    To accomplish this kick, simply begin your ginga, as you should anyway by habit. Set your right foot out in front of your left. Then use body force to kick your right leg into the air moving in a circular motion back to the right side of your body.
    As always, we are here to save you the trouble of reading so that you can watch and learn.

Queixada

Meia Lau de Frente

    Is it difficult to pronounce? I would agree with you if you say yes. Although the pronunciation is difficult, the movement is far from it.
    As you ginga, simply let one of your feet kick straight at your opponent. You are aiming for the abdominal of the other player. Then let your leg down behind you and continue the ginga.
    Oh, and as you are getting used to it by now, here is another video.

Salto
Click the Play button to run the movie!

Queda De Rins
"Falling on the kidneys" (literally :-), a floor move which can be used in many ways. Basically, it can be used as a style move, or as a kick while in a floor game. From the Negativa Position, lean on the hand that is on the floor, so that the elbow supports your body weight. Balance your body with the other hand (protecting the face with the elbow is most recommended). If you can't hold this position using only the hands, you can lean your head on the floor, too. Note that this way this move is rather static. You can switch your legs' position, but still, you can't move much. A more advanced (and much more impressive, too!) version of this move can be seen in the second drawing Topeira made.
Drawing by John Lennon (C)
Drawing by Topeira (C)
Meia Lua De Frente
"Half moon from front", a powerful kick than can be executed in two ways: With an "entrada" (entrance, a step forward from the ginga position), or a more simple one, without the entrada. Here I'll explain the kick with the entrada: 1. From the basic Ginga position (right leg is the front leg, figure 1), do an Entrada with the left leg (Figure 2). 2. Swing your right leg in a INSIDE circular motion (figure 3) all the way, until the you can't swing it anymore (Figure 4). 3. From here, simply pull the leg back to the Ginga position (Figure 5), while the hand quickly returns to protect the face. (Thanks goes to Gato Branco for the explanation)
Illustration by "John Lennon" (C)
Negativa
Negativa is the move that the Capoeirista uses to move quickly on the floor. From this move almost any move can be executed, and it can be used to move and deceive the opponent. · Right leg bent completely and leans on the toes. · The butt sits on the heel · Left leg is almost straight at 130 degrees. · Left foot leans on its blade · Body leans forward. · Right arm protects the face with the elbow. · Lean on left arm. Lean on the palm. NOT on the fingers · Left palm close to the left knee. To switch sides- 1) lean on left hand 2) leap easily with the right leg. 3) On the second the body is in the air, leaning on the hand, switch legs position. 4) Switch hands. In the picture, note that it's very important that the blade of the foot will be on the floor. It provides support and balances the body. It is also very important to protect the face with the opposite hand: Make sure your elbow is towards the opponent.
Gato Branco
Parafuso (Armada com Martelo)
1) Do an Armada to the right. (Prepare the left leg for jumping). 2) Just before the peak of the Armada, jump! 3) Let the left leg (which kicks martelo) get dragged a bit behind before kicking. 4) Twist the pelvis fast to the right. 5) Kick with the left knee in a parallel course to the floor. Not straight upward. 6) Release the full kick (with the lower leg) in the same course (left foot in "point" position). 7) When landing, don't think of staying in the same position in which you landed. Continue turning with the momentum of the movement. Do you think you can pull a great parfuso? Try Parafuso Douple! Basically, it's the same as a parafuso - All you have to do is keep the first kicking leg in the same position and then quickly kick the martelo, so both legs will land at the same time. If you'd like to see an example, click here for Gato Branco's demonstration or go to the Movies section, where you can see Golias' parafuso douple and many others. In the pictures: Mosquito

Pisao
1) From the basic position the right knee moves towards the stomach. 2) Left leg (on which you lean) turns so that the heel points forward. · The body leans a bit backwards for balance. · The pelvic lines towards the target. · Right hand protects the right side of the body. · Left hand protects the face. 2) Right leg kicks straight in a "push" movement. The blade of the foot hits the target. · The kicking foot is in "flex" position.
Click buttons 1 & 2 for instructions!

Decida Basica
· right leg is almost straight behind in 140 degrees. · Left leg forward, bent in 90 degrees. · Chest is attached to the left knee · Back straight, and NOT bent forward. · Right hand protects the face · Face a bit tilted to the right. · Left hand helps to balance the body. The body is not leaned heavily on the hand. · Left palm points forward. Lean on the palm. NOT on the fingers. · Left palm close to the left leg. To switch sides- 1) right leg is lines forward near the right leg in a decent distance for balance and stability. 2) Body stays low, close to the knees. 3) Back NOT bent. 4) Hands switch as the left leg moves backwards.
Click the Play button for instructions!

Bencao
"Blessing", a really powerful kick which can be used to kick the opponent's stomach. 1) From the basic position, the right knee moves up to the stomach. · Right foot in "flex" position. · Right foot and the buttocks are lined towards the target. · Body leans forward towards the knee · Hands forward a bit more ahead than the right foot, as if "catching" the opponent. 2) As if pulling something with the hands they are bent towards the body. · Right foot and the buttocks remain in the same height. · Right leg is straightened. · The kick is a push movement meant to push the foe away from you. · The foot in "flex" position.
Click buttons 1 & 2 for instructions!

Ginga
Ginga is the basic move in Capoeira. There's no point where the Capoeirista stands inside the Roda, there's always constant movement. All of the Capoeira Moves start from the Ginga. Soon - a QuickTime movie to show the move (I have no idea how to explain it...)
Martelo
1) From the basic position the right knee moves towards the target. 2) The left leg (on which you lean) turns so the heel point forward. · the body leans a bit backwards for balance. · The pelvis leans towards the target. · Right hand protects the right body. · Left hand protects the face. 3) right leg straight (kicks). · the right foot is in "point" position.
Beija Flor
"A kiss to the floor" (some say that the meaning is "hummingbird"), can be used as a kick to the opponent's face while in "upper game" (standing), or in floor game. Very impressive kick (click here to see Tigre's demonstration...) 1) body bends down towards the foe the same as esquiva diagonal. 2) The right hand on the floor, about 15 cm' from the right foot. 3) The pelvis tilts up just a bit. Not too much. 4) The chest points upwards as much as possible. 5) The left leg kicks just in front of the nose. 6) The right leg kicks upwards for balance. 7) Left hand holds the left leg or protects the face. A more advanced form of this move is Beija flor with both legs kicking. Click here to see a picture.
Gato Branco	Mosquito