AAFRICAP's

Capoeira Manual
Below follows a description of some of the strikes and movements included in the Technical
Regulations Of Capoeira (1973).

Basic movements / Movimentos Basicos

Ginga (Peneirar ou pentear)
Ginga (comb)

Rol (Roll)
Esquiva (defence)

It is the constant change of base. Characteristic of

Capoeira that consists of the constant movement
of arms and legs executed by the capoeirista, in
movements of coming and going, advances and
retreats, eluding the adversary and always looking
for the best opportunity to launch strikes and
counter strikes
May be done standing or on the floor
May be done with hands on the floor or not, to the
side or to the back.

Defences / Esquivas
A
(cartwheel)

Cocorinha
(On your haunches)

Negativa
(Negative)

This is a characteristic movement of Capoeira in

that the practitioner takes both his hands to the
floor throwing both legs immediately in an
upward direction, generally straightened, and
falling on both feet standing up. It is always done
to the side, being that there are always possibility
for variations, such as one or both legs being bent
to increase defence of the body (thorax). The leg
that gives the impulse (push) is the leg that is
closest to the side where the movement is to be
done. The first leg to touch the floor is,
justifiably, the first one to leave the floor. It is
bent a little to better take the weight of the body
when touching the floor. It can also be an
offensive strike.
It is a defence of Capoeira where the practitioner
ducks, facing the adversary, with the arms
protecting the face, and not being allowed to
touch the floor with the hands. The supporting of
the body is achieved with the body being centred
over the two feet, these being allowed to be flatfooted or on the tips of the feet.
It is a defence where the Capoeira practitioner
ducks and holds his body up with one bent leg and
one straight leg. The hand on the floor will be the
same hand as the outstretched leg. Its

Queda de quatro
(Fall of four)

Queda de rim
(fall of kidney)

Resistncia
(Resistance)

characteristic is almost exclusively of defence

although if the hands are on the side of the bent
leg it opens up possibility for applying a rasteira.
This can also be done with one hand on the floor
on the side of the outstretched leg with the other
arm protecting the face/head.
It is a defence where the practitioner of Capoeira
ducks throwing his body backwards and holding
himself up with his hands, therefore characterised
by the four points of support (hands and feet). If
the Capoeirista moves around the floor in this
position, it is known as aranha (spider)
It is a defence in the form of a roll, where the
practitioner of Capoeira goes to the floor and rolls
over the top of the head on the floor supporting
himself with one of his elbows placed on the
kidney. At the end of the movement, the
practitioner will normally be in the position of a
negativa or resistncia. It can also be an
offensive movement.
This is a defence where the Capoeira practitioner
ducks and stays in a position with three supports
(both feet and one hand). The hand/arm closest to
the attack will defend the face/head. Both legs
should be bent and the hand that goes to the floor
can be behind the body, to the right or left of the
body. The body can be bent back or up straight.
What characterises the technique are the three
points of support with both legs bent.

Unbalancing strikes / Golpes desiquilibrantes

This is any movement or strike where the practitioner of Capoeira successfully makes the
adversary lose his balance or in the least interrupts it.
Negativa Arrasto (Sweeping negativa)

Banda
Banda jogada

Banda tranada

It is

an unbalancing strike. When in the negativa

and the outstretched leg is behind the supporting
leg of the adversary, the leg is pulled in towards
the practitioner, looking to unbalance him or
make him fall.
It is a rasteira (sweep) with semi-flexed leg. It is
applied while standing up.
It is a Capoeira technique in which the
practitioner gets close to the adversary, applies a
knee strike to the thigh and then proceeds with the
banda.
It is a strike applied while standing up. The
practitioners foot is placed behind the foot of the
standing leg of the adversary, while the knee of

the practitioner is placed on the front of the

standing leg of the adversary. Weight is then
placed on the knee, so that the adversary is pushed
back and at the same time, the weight of the body
is thrown backward causing the adversary to fall
back.
Bno (Blessing)
The capoeirista in the base, one leg at the front
and the other at the back, looking to hit the
adversary with the back leg, either with the heel
or tip of the foot (ensuring the digits are pointing
up). It can also be an offensive strike. This is a
linear strike.
Chulipa
A rasteira de frente (forward sweep) is applied
on the adversary, as if to unbalance him or make
him fall. If the rasteira is given with the left leg,
before completing the turn, a telefone or
galopante should be applied with the left hand
Cruz or crucifixo (Cross or crucifix)
It is an unbalancing movement of Capoeira in
which the practitioner, on the receiving end of a
high kick, enters the adversarys space placing his
arm under the elevated leg of the opponent and
causes the opponent to lose his balance by lifting
the leg even higher
Escala de p (escala of the foot)
It is a capoeira technique that constitutes different
variations with the intention of making the
adversary lose his balance in the following basic
format: the practitioner falls into a queda de
quatro and puts his feet between the legs of his
opponent. He then pulls his legs, or opens his
legs or does both at the same time.
Gancho (Hook)
It is applied with the leg in the form of a hook,
pushing his base leg back. The base leg is the leg
with the weight on it.
Paulista (name given to someone from
It is an unbalancing strike applied by the
So Paulo) / banda de letra (takedown practitioner after the escora (blocking) of a high
of letters)
strike (kick) from the adversary. The practitioner
does an escora and comes in applying a rapa
(rasteira) with the legs crossed in the form of a
letter (a movement well known in soccer). This
rapa is applied to the standing leg of the
adversary. Block with escora and apple rapa.
Rasteira de mo (sweep with the hand) It is a strike applied on the adversary in very rare
opportunities. It consists of grabbing, pulling or
pushing the foot of support of the opponent while
he doing any high rotating strike. It is
accomplished with the hand.
Rasteira de meia lua presa (sweep from It is a strike where the capoeirista crouches over
meia lua presa, i.e. Sweep from a meia one leg, places the hands on the floor and
lua with one hand on the floor)
executes a traditional meia lua. Instead of
kicking high, the kicking leg takes a much lower

Rasteira deitada (lying sweep)

Rapa
Rasteira em p (standing sweep)

Tesoura no cho (scissors on the floor)

Tesoura de a (scissors from an a)

Tesoura voadora (flying scissors)

Vingativa

trajectory, close to the floor. Because this strike is

employed to achieve the goal of hitting the
opponents standing leg during a high strike, and
with the intention of unbalancing them, it is
therefore under the section of unbalancing
techniques. The difference to the other meia lua
(compasso, presa and solta) is that the kicking
foot in this one has to be close to the floor to
remove the base of support.
It is a movement of Capoeira where the
practitioner tries to get close to the floor and
applies a rapa.
Action of hooking the foot behind the opponents
base of support and pulling it from under him.
It is a movement identical to rasteira deitada,
with the difference that the practitioner stays
standing in order to apply the rapa, always with
the vision/intention of unbalancing the adversary
The Capoeira practitioner tries to envelop the
adversarys body with his legs in the form of a
scissors, looking to unbalance the adversary. The
lead-up to the movement can be done from the
front, side or back.
The capoeirista applies an a close to the
adversary. The legs separate and envelop the
adversarys body to apply the scissors.
It is applied on the adversary by jumping at him
from the front or back. The legs must envelop the
adversarys body and then a simple twist in the
body will result in the unbalancing of the
adversary.
It is a technique of Capoeira where the
practitioner rapidly approaches the adversary,
placing himself side by side with the adversary,
with one of the legs behind serving as
tripping/throwing lever, and using the arm, head
or shoulder, throws the adversary to the floor.
The leg that should be behind the adversary is the
one that would be side to side with him. It can
also be an offensive strike.

Offensive strikes / golpes offensivos

Armada (Armada as in navy / Spanish
armada)

Arpo (harpoon)

It is applied standing up. It consists of balancing

on one leg so that the other leg can execute a
rotational movement, sweeping in the horizontal
direction. Point of strike will be the lateral part of
the foot (outside of the foot)
It is a strike accomplished with the knee against

the adversary, from bottom to top or laterally

(from the side)
Negativa arrasto empurrando
(sweeping pushing negativa)

Negativa arrasto batendo (sweeping

hitting negativa)

A agulha (needle a)

A chapa de costas

A chapa lateral

A chibata com uma perna (a chibata

with one leg)

A chibata com duas pernas (a

chibata with both legs)
A cortado

A de rol (a from the rol)

Chapa em p (chapa standing up)

Casa da Capoeira - joelhada

In the negativa, when the foot is behind the
adversarys supporting leg, a chapa de frente is
applied with the other leg, or be it, the leg that is
bent on the shin of the adversary. It can also be
an unbalancing technique.
This is a traumatic strike. In the negativa, when
the outstretched leg is behind the base of support
of the adversary and the foot wraps around the
adversarys heel, a strong hit is applied with the
heel of the other leg (bent leg). The strike is
achieved in the form of a gancho, from the
outside to the inside, on the lateral part of the
supporting leg of the adversary.
It is a cartwheel where the practitioner takes both
hands to the floor, immediately lifting both legs,
joining them in a stretched fashion. While upside
down, a twist is given to the body, landing on the
floor with the tips of both legs, and in this
position, the capoeirista is 270 degrees from the
direction he started in.
Consists of the application of an a, and straight
away, cutting the movement (or alternatively, you
twist the body), hitting him with the heel of the
foot and falling into the base of rol.
Consists in the application of an a, and from this
position, a strike is applied with the sole of the
foot or feet on the adversary, completing the
movement with a rol.
Its a strike applied in the base of an a. The a
is applied and from this position a chibata is
applied with one leg, in other words the adversary
is struck with the top of the foot. This movement
is executed well in front of the adversary.
Same as above but with both feet striking the
adversary.
Consists of applying an a when the adversary is
on the floor. The a is applied to one of the sides
of the adversary, and when the legs are stretched
in the air, a strong twist is given to the body,
falling over the opponent with one of the legs
stretched out, hitting him with the heel.
This consists of applying an a to the front, and
rapidly twisting the body falling on the adversary
with bent legs and hitting him with the heels.
It is the interruption of an armada or meia lua
solta. The leg is bent and then kicked out to the

side. It is done standing up.

Chapa no cho (chapa on the floor)

Chibata presa
Chibata solta

Cotovelada (elbow)
Cruzado (crossed)
Dedo nos olhos (forquilha)
Finger in the eyes
Duble s ou s-dobrado (double s or
folded s)

Escala de mo

Casa da Capoeira chapa giratoria

It is a strike applied from the back or side of the
practitioner, having as support one or both hands
and one of the legs. Applying it from the side and
being in the negativa with the right leg stretched
out, the leg that touches the adversary is the left
leg. To apply it from the back, a half rotation is
done (half rol) landing up with the back facing
the adversary. The leg of support is bent, lets say
right leg and the strike is accomplished with the
same leg by stretching it out. The strike is applied
with the sole of the foot or the heel, stretching the
leg out horizontally or from bottom to top.
It consists of the application of the a and
chibata. The a is applied laterally to the
adversary (to the side)
It is the application of a chibata without the
support of the floor. It consist of jumping
forward, to the side or up, applying the chibata
before hitting the floor
Consists of applying an elbow strike on any part
of the adversarys body.
It is a martelo applied to the centre of the body,
normally the chest.
It is the action of introducing one or more fingers
in the adversarys eyes.
It is called s dobrado because, to apply it, it is
necessary to execute a movement in the form of
an upside down S. It is initiated with a rasteira,
with the left leg, for example. The left leg comes
from the back, goes through a three-quarter
rotation, and lands up on the right hand side
without touching the floor. At this point, two
points of support will be initiated, one with the
left hand in front of and close to the body, and the
other point of support with the right leg, already
bent. The right arm should already be flexed,
protecting the face. At this point, we have a
position very similar to a negativa, by virtue that
the left leg is stretched in the direction to the right
hand side, while the head and thorax are
orientated towards the adversary. The first turn of
the S has been initiated. Now an impulse/jump
should be done up and to the front, in the form of
a rotation (macaco), and the right leg should hit
the adversary like a chibata.
Strike similar to a punch. Apply it with the base
of the hand, hitting the opponent on the shoulder

Galopante
Macaco

Martelo em p (hammer standing up)

Martelo no cho (Hammer on the

floor)
Meia lua de compasso (half moon of
the compass)

Meia lua presa (Tied half moon)

Meia lua solta (Loose half moon)

Meia lua de frente or passa p

(half moon to the front or pass foot)

Piso (stamp)

or solar plexus, chin or nose of the adversary. The

palm of the hand should be facing the opponent
and the fingers bent back. When hitting the chin
or nose it should be applied from bottom up.
When applying it to the solar plexus or shoulder,
then it must be done horizontally
Traumatic strike that consists of hitting the
adversary in the ear with the hand in a cupped
format.
Consists of the application of a jump to the back,
a movement that is initiated by crouching and the
relocation of the hand on the floor, to the back,
and side of the body. An impulse/jump is given to
the body, initiating at the tips of the feet, and a
complete rotation is executed to the
back/backwards. The movement is terminated by
landing on your feet and in the same position you
started the movement in.
Being in front of the adversary, the leg that is at
the back kicks up in a (flexed position) and then
extends to hit the adversary. The strike is with the
top part of the foot.
It is a martelo applied with the base of support
being one of the practitioners hands on the floor.
The hand that goes to the floor is the hand
opposite to the leg applying the strike.
It is a strike whereby the practitioner crouches
over one of the legs and with the other free leg
does a rotational movement sweeping in the
horizontal or diagonal direction. When the
technique is started, both hands go to the floor to
better the balance of the practitioner.
Same movement /technique as meia lua de
compasso, but instead of two hands supporting
the body weight, there is only one hand.
It is treated as a jump, rotating over the head (with
the head to one side). At the end of the
movement, the practitioner falls on the floor in a
negativa base. At the beginning of the turn, one
of the legs should be bent and in towards the body
and the other stretched.
This is a strike/technique that can be applied in
the following manner:
The back leg kicks (with a straight leg) making a
rotational movement from the outside to the
inside. The part of the foot that touches the
adversary is the medial (internal) side of the foot.
This is a strike/technique that is applied while
standing up. The practitioners base of support is
one of the legs and the other leg extends towards

the opponent, hitting any part of the body. The

piso is applied in the horizontal or bottom to top
direction, and the part of the foot that touches the
opponent is the sole of the foot or the heel.
Queixada (kick to the chin)

Rabo de arraia (tail of the skate)

Rabo de arraia amarrado chapa (Tied

tail of the skate chapa)

Rabo de arraia amarrado martelo

(Tied tail of the skate martelo)

Soco (asfixiante)
Punch (asphyxiating)
Tapas diversos (Diverse slaps/hand
strikes)
Martelo voadore/Parafuso (Flying
hammer/Screw)

Coice (Mule's kick)

Esporo (boot spur)

Telefone (telephone)

Cabeada (head butt)

Casa da Capoeira Chapa lateral, chapa de frente

It is a traumatic strike that is applied while
standing up, having one leg as the base of support
and the other swinging towards the opponent,
having the chin as the target. The rotational
direction of the strike is from the outside in and
the part of the foot that touches the opponent is
the lateral external side of the foot.
This is a salto mortal (somersault) to the front.
In the turn, the heels aim for the head or the
thorax of the opponent. Can be applied by having
both hands on the floor for support, one or none.
A false kick is applied so that the adversary may
catch and hold the foot. Once the opponent is
holding the foot the base leg is then free to turn
and strike. By putting the hands on the floor for
support the base leg can then apply the chapa.
A false kick is applied so that the adversary may
catch and hold the foot. Once the opponent is
holding the foot the base leg is then free to turn
and strike. By putting the hands on the floor for
support the base leg can then apply the martelo.
It is a strike that is applied with a closed hand on
the adversary, aiming for between the nose and
mouth of the adversary.
Are all the strikes applied with the open hand.
This is a strike whereby the practitioner will
perform an aerial rotational strike to the upper
body. The strike ios caccomplished with the top
part of the foot. In the case of a parafuso, the
striking leg is the leg the practitioner lands on.
Similar to chapa de costas. Kick applied with the
sole of the foot in a backwards direction
This is a strike to the back of the head or the back.
Apply chapa em p past the head of the opponent,
immeadiately snapping the leg back to accomplish
the strike with the heel.
This is a traumatic strike that consists of hitting
the adversary in the ears in the form of cupped
hands (or with closed hands or outstretched
hands).
Normally doen with the top of the head with the
intention to strike the softer parts of the body to
unbalance the opponent. For it to be traumatizing,

Vo de morcego (flight of the bat)

then the strike is accomplished using the forehead.

A vertical jump is done with the legs bent and
then one or both legs are extended. Using the
jump as part of the impulse and strength for the
kick.

Counter strikes / contra golpes

Queda da ladeira
Boca de cala ou arrasto (mouth of
the pants or takedown)

Cau
Calo
Cutila ou palma (palm)

Escora
Passo de cegonha (step of the seagull)
Tranco (lock)

It is the application of a counter strike, escora or

tranco, against a loose aerial strike applied by his
adversary, to unbalance him.
It is a technique of capoeira in which the
practitioner takes his hands to the adversarys feet
or legs, pushing him to the front with the hands,
making him fall to the back. A cabeada helps
take him down.
This is a counter strike for the beno. The aim is
to grab the heel of the opponent with a cupped
hand to suspend him and unbalance him.
Its an escora or the act of stopping the beginning
of a strike. It is applied with the foot.
It is the act of blocking or counter striking a
martelo with a closed hand, which should hit
against the leg of the opponent. A turning
movement is done with the forearm, from bottom
to top and from inside to outside. The part of the
hand that stops or blocks the martelo is the back
of the hand.
It is the act of stopping or preventing the
beginning of a strike. It is applied with the
quadriceps/thigh
Counter strike applied against an armada.
Firstly, a tranco is applied and then immediately
the gancho.
It is the act of blocking a strike. It is applied with
the arm.

Diverse / diversos
Corta capim (lawn mower)
Passagens (pass-by's)

Balo/Cintura disprezada
(Baloons/Assisted throws)

One of the legs executes a complete turn over the

body, having both hands and one of the legs on the
floor as the base of support.
All movements and/or techniques allowing the
practitioner to move around the opponent
effectively. Exposing the opponent being the first
thing in mind.
All assisted throws designed to help train aerial
techniques. In addition they are throws designed to

Defesa pessoal (personal defense)

Flexibilidade (Flexibility)
Quedas (Falls)
Passo a dois (ritual para descanso da
Angola)
Two step (ritual for recovery/rest in
Angola)

Ponte (bridge)

Volta do mundo (ritual de descanso da

regional)
Around the world (ritual for
recovery/rest in Regional)

attack the opponent.

This is any technique that is constituted as personal
defense. For example gravata (head lock), soco
(punch), etc. The application thereof and obviously
escape or defense thereof.
This is the ability to dominate the body in any
technique particularly in floreios.
All falls related to Capoeira, breakfalls, etc. How
to apply and defend.
It is a ritual existing in Capoeira Angola that
consists of stopping the jogo with open arms, lazily
and non-chalantly raised, and the adversary
approaches the opponent to hold his hand/s and for
a short while they dance around the roda until the
initiator authorises the re-commencement of the
game. This ritual is used for rest and recovery.
There exists various formats in which to ask for a
passo a dois
The act of balancing the body on four points of
support (hands and feet) while the front part of the
body is facing upwards. Can go into movement
from various techniques.
It is a ritual existing in the game of Capoeira
Regional. When one of the Capoeiristas claps his
hands behind his back, he is inviting his opponent
to accompany him with rest in mind. It is
mandatory to accompany him, and that the invited
should not attack.

Please note:
Martelo - any strike with a martelo is achieved using the ball of the foot (region just behind the
toes on the sole of the foot).
Chibata - Any strike using the top of the foot.
Therefore, the diference between Chibata em p and Martelo em p is just the striking part of the
foot. Chibata to the centreline of the body is impossible to perform when standing with
shoulders squared but a martelo can be done in same situation.