Martial art: Golpes (attacks)

Martial art is various skills that originated as forms of self-defense.

Capoeira originated within as a product of the Angolan tradition of "Engolo" but became applied as a method of survival that was known to slaves. It was a tool with which an escaped slave, completely unequipped, could survive in the hostile, unknown land and face the hunt of the capitães-do-mato, the armed and mounted colonial agents who were charged with finding and capturing escapees.

Capoeira is a fast and versatile martial art that is historically focused on fighting outnumbered or in technological disadvantage. The style emphasizes using the lower body to kick, sweep and take down their aggressors, using the upper body to assist those movements and occasionally attack as well. It features a series of complex positions and body postures that are meant to get chained in an uninterrupted flow, to strike, dodge and move without breaking motion, conferring the style with a characteristic unpredictability and versatility.

Capoeira is a spontaneous game.

Players have the freedom to create a dialogue, especially with the attacks and counter-attacks. When capoeira was created, the slaves used all possible modes of attack. With time, capoeira and the moves that make up the game became more structured, but the possibilities remain infinite. However, we must maintain respect for our partner’s safety at all times.

How many ways are there to attack?

We can attack with the hands, elbows, knees, feet, and even head. Attacks can be from the front or spinning. We also use takedowns, locks, and throws.

We can define the capoeira attacks in different categories:

1. Frontais - Frontal attacks

2. Giratorios - Spinning attacks

3. Traumatizantes - Damaging attacks

4. Giratorios + traumatizantes - Spinning + damaging attacks

5. Quedas - Takedowns

6. Saltando - Jumping attacks

Capoeira signature moves

While capoeira has been influenced by other art forms, there are many movements that are unique to capoeira. One of these is the kick meia lua de compasso. You may have seen this kick in movies or used in the ring by MMA fighters. It is a powerful kick that can do a lot of damage if applied in exactly the right position at the right time. It takes a lot of training to master this kick in a capoeira game.

Kicks can be used in sequence with cartwheels (aus) and other acrobatic moves, combining attacks and escapes.

Ponteira

Ponteira is a simple front kick with the ball of the foot.

Important: This kick can be very dangerous, so it is only used to help gain flexbility.

Meia lua de frente (half moon to the front)

This is an outside-to-inside crescent kick.

Meia lua de frente de trás (from back)

Meia lua de frente avançando (stepping forward)

Queixada

Queixada is the opposite of

meia lua de frente: an

inside-to-outside crescent kick

Queixada from back

Queixada from escape

Entradas & fintas

Almost the same move but with a different intention

Entrada (entrance) means the steps you do before the movement to set up the movement and fintas (fake) is when you are faking you do a move to convince your partner to move and then do something else instead to trick your partner

While kicks can be used to attack, they can also be used as a trap for another attack.

Entrada de armada (“entrance” to armada)

This is the step that comes before you throw your leg. This movement is perfect to work the mobility of your spine.

Armada (upright spinning kick)

Armada is a spinning inside-to-outside crescent kick. Queixada and armada are essentially the same kick once the leg is released, but the entrance is different. Armada begins with one or two steps used to turn the body and generate momentum.

Entrada de meia lua de compasso (“entrance” to MLC)

This is the step that comes before you throw your leg. This movement is perfect to work the mobility of your spine.

Meia lua de compasso (half moon compass)

Meia lua de compasso is an attack that embodies the true element of capoeira: it combines an evasive maneuver with a spinning kick.

Hands on the floor provide a firm base for the leg to whip around, using the heel to strike your opponent.

Meia lua de compasso demands a little bit more flexibility.

Take your time to work on your weak points.

Kicks from ginga

Practice until you can smoothly execute all the kicks starting from the ginga, then return back to the ginga, switching sides without getting confused or missing any steps.