Capoeira

***Capoeira*** is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality. Born of the melting pot of enslaved Africans, Brazilian Indians and Portuguese influences (Christianity etc.) at the beginning of the 16th century, Capoeira is a constantly evolving art form. It is known for its acrobatic and complex maneuvers, often involving hands on the ground and inverted kicks. It emphasizes flowing movements rather than fixed stances; the *ginga*, a rocking step, is usually the focal point of the technique. Capoeira emits a green aura.

### Combos

The attacks in the capoeira should be done when opportunity arises, and though they can be preceded by feints or pokes, they must be precise and decisive, like a direct kick to the head, face or a vital body part, or a strong takedown. Most capoeira attacks are made with the legs, like direct or swirling kicks, rasteiras (leg sweeps), tesouras or knee strikes. Elbow strikes, punches and other forms of takedowns complete the main list. The head strike is a very important counter-attack move.

### Basic Attacks

Basic attacks include a an Armada a reverse roundhouse kick, also described as a spinning inside to outside crescent kick. Bênção Literally "blessing". It is a straight forward frontal push kick. It is commonly aimed at the abdominal or chest area, and the capoeirista hits with either the whole sole of the foot or with the heel. The level of impact varies with its range and intent from a soft tap to an inward jumping stomp to the head, or torso. Chapa, the sole of the foot, is a generic term for various straight kicks with the sole or heel of the foot. This kick can be used in a roda to push away the other player for distance. Queixada is one of the most commonly used of the basic kicks in contemporary regional. To execute with the right leg, one begins in mid-ginga stance, with the left leg back and the right forward.

### Grab Attacks

Users cannot grab their opponents instead they will perform a Meia lua de compasso The technique starts with the user standing up or semi-crouched in the position of *ginga*. By twisting his body towards one side and downing one or both hands onto the ground for balance, he launches the opposite leg into the air in a semi-circular movement that ends with his heel striking the opponent, usually in the head, or completing the spin into another *ginga* position.

### Blocking, Dodging and Reversals

User can quickstep once. If the user wants to block he will perform a Cocorinha user will put the feet flat on the ground the user squats with the knees to the chest so as to close the body and covers the side of the torso and head with one hand while the other is flat and to the side for support. Esquivas distinguish capoeira from many other martial arts for the simple fact of going along with flow of the attack and releasing an equal or more devastating attack. Many of the attacks in capoeira are fully committed kicks that would cause more injury blocking them instead of dodging them. Blocking attacks upset and imbalance the flow of the game making esquivas more common in rodas. Blocks do sometimes occur when one player is so caught off guard that they are used instinctively. The most common situations being against hand attacks.

Dodging user will do The *macaco* is similar to a back handspring with the exception of starting with one hand planted behind the capoeirista and the initial movement starting from a low crouch. The macaco begins by lowering the body down into a low crouch and placing one hand on the floor directly behind the back making contact with the ground. The other hand is thrown over the body while jumping off with both feet to launch the hips straight over the head. This back sweeping movement mirrors the motion that a swimmer adopts when performing a backstroke. As the capoeirista passes into a handstand position, the second hand is placed onto the ground before bringing the first foot makes contact with the ground.

### Counterattacks

Counterattacks include a Arrastão where user grabs the opponent behind the knees and pulls/lifts while pushing the opponent backwards with their shoulder, driving him to the ground and Vingativa low takedown that involves stepping forward and trapping the back legs of an opponent that is in a side stance. The capoeirista also protects his face with his elbow. Once the lead leg of the capoeirista has trapped the leg of the opponent, he shifts the weight in his hips forward and up. If the contact is maintained with the legs the other player then he should be thrown up and away.