List of capoeira techniques
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This is a list of techniques used in capoeira
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. 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.
[edit] Aú
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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'. They sometimes freeze halfway through the cartwheel to get into the handstand position, from which they can execute a wide variety of moves.
[edit] Aú batido
The Aú batido (sometimes called Aú Amazonas or Amazonica) is a Capoeira move 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 au batido or broken cartwheel 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. For this quality, it is used often in Breakdancing and Tricking
[edit] Cabeçada
The Cabeçada (pronounced: ka-be-SA-da, lit.: headbutt) is an offensive movement of Capoeira in which the attacker rams at the opponent with his head or forehead. Generally a cabeçada is performed when the opponent is executing an open au (cartwheel). The exposed belly of the upside down opponent is a prime target.
[edit] Ginga
The ginga (literally: rocking back and forth; to swing) is the fundamental movement in capoeira. Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional have distinctive forms of ginga. 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. This movement is done to prepare the body for other movements.
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.
[edit] Macaco
A Macaco is a backflip executed with one hand planted that is practiced in Capoeira. It literally translates to monkey, as the monkey is acrobatic and nimble.
[edit] Martelo
A Martelo is a type of kick as practiced in Capoeira. 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 with the instep part of the foot. Control and precision are more important than force and inflicting damage. 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Queixada
[edit] 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.
