The Basic Techniques of Capoeira

Rather than focusing on injuring an opponent, Capoeira emphasises the use of skill instead. Capoeristas (Capoeira players) will often perform a move without fully completing it. This shows their superiority in the roda. There is no need for a capoerista to use a fast attack if their opponent is having difficultly evading a slow attack. Whenever their opponent attacks, players get an opportunity practise an evasive technique.

Ginga

Ginga is a fundamental movement of Capoeira. The different styles, Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional, both have very distinctive forms of ginga. The basics of ginga are very similar with both styles. The feet should be kept at around shoulder width and then one foot moved backwards before returning it to its starting position. This is repeated with both feet in a kind of triangular pattern. This is the base movement from which other Capoeira movements stem.

Other body parts are also involved in the ginga including the movement of the arms, torso and the leaning of the body. The ginga should match the tempo of the music being played.

Attacks

The primary attacks involved with capoeira are performed as kicks, sweeps and head strikes. Although punches and hand strikes are used they are uncommon. Elbow strikes are usually used in place of hand strikes and help to maintain the flow of a capoeira game. Also, knee strikes are sometimes seen although again they are not very common.

Capoeira emphasises the use of acrobatic movements to get around your opponent. Things like handstands, cartwheels, handsprings, jumps and flips are often seen in capoeira. Attacks can vary quite a lot depending on the style and tempo of the music.

Defences

The defences of capoeira predominately consist of evasive moves and rolls. A main part of capoeira defence is the use of esquivas or ducking moves. Different esquivas exist for different parts of the ginga and are used differently depending on the attack and the defenders intention. One of the most common defensive moves is the rolê. This is a rolling movement that is designed to evade an attack and position oneself in an attacking position. It generally consists of a duck and a low movement.

There are also other evasive manoeuvres including the rasteira, vingativa, tesoura de mão and the queda which are designed to either attack the opponent during mid-movement or move away completely.

These are the basic techniques of Capoeira and can take time to master. Once these techniques are mastered there are many more to learn about. Malandragem is the art of trickery and incorporates a lot of improvisation in order to feint attacks and trick your opponent into false defences or moves.

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