Movimentos

Here is a list of the different movements used in Capoeira Regional (known as Movimentos). Students will be taught these movements at each class so that they eventually become second nature. Ultimately, students will be expected to memorize the categories and order of movements; this is required to move higher in graduation.

Movimentos Fundamental


This includes the first movements you will learn in capoeira and also the most important. The ginga enables to you to move, disguise where the kick you are throwing is coming from, and reposition yourself.

  1. Ginga Normal
  2. Ginga Descendo e Subindo
  3. Ginga Mandingada
  4. Ginga Mangdingando
  5. Ginga Baixa
  6. Ginga Pulando
  7. Ginga Lateral
  8. Ginga Trocando

Movimentos Básicos


Made up predominately of defensive movements, these are key to becoming comfortable moving around in the game and include ways to string movements together.

  1. Cocorinha
  2. Negativa
  3. Role
  4. Preparação Queda de Rins
  5. Queda de Rins Encolhida
  6. Queda de Rins Aberta
  7. Queda de Rins Fechando
  8. Queda de Dois
  9. Queda de Três
  10. Esquiva Lateral
  11. Negativa de Recuo
  12. Aû Grande
  13. Aû Fechando
  14. Aû Primeiro Braço
  15. Aû Segundo Braço
  16. Aû Pequena
  17. Bananeira

Golpes Diretos


Otherwise known as direct kicks, most, though not all, are frontal.

  1. Ponteira
  2. Benção
  3. Martelo
  4. Chapa
  5. Chapa Invadindo
  6. Escorão
  7. Esporão

Golpes Traumáticos


These kicks are the traumatic kicks of capoeira, they often involve a great deal of speed, but also power and so should be used with caution.

  1. Meia Lua de Frente
  2. Queixada Saindo de Trás
  3. Queixada Invadindo
  4. Gancho
  5. Rabo de Arraia
  6. Meia Lua de Compasso
  7. Coice

Golpes Giratórios


These kicks are spinning kicks, i.e. they involve a rotation.

  1. Armada
  2. Armada Pulano
  3. Armada Dupla
  4. Martelo Voador
  5. Chibata
  6. Chapa Giratória
  7. Giro Alto
  8. Giro Baixo
  9. Aû Sem Mão

Movimentos Desequilibrantes


The destabilizing movements are also known as take-downs, they are not only counters to kicks but also ways to test someone’s stability.

  1. Rasteira Baixa
  2. Rasteira Alta
  3. Rasteira de Mão
  4. Cruz
  5. Banda de Costas
  6. Banda Trançada
  7. Vingativa
  8. Baiana
  9. Tesoura de Costas
  10. Tesoura de Frente
  11. Desequilibrante
  12. Arrastão
  13. Paulista

Movimentos Floreio


Flourishing movements are exactly what they sound like; acrobatic movements that add interest and excitement to certain forms of games.

  1. Queda de Um
  2. Pião de Cabeça
  3. Pião de Mão
  4. Macaco
  5. Aû Reversão
  6. Flic
  7. S-Dobrado
  8. Arrependido
  9. Folha Seco
  10. Kipe

Movimentos Traumatizantes


The traumatizing movements are fairly aggressive attacks and include punches and the use of knees.

  1. Godeme
  2. Galopante
  3. Joelhada Frontal
  4. Joelhada Lateral
  5. Cotovelada
  6. Cabeçada
  7. Testoalada
  8. Asfixiante
  9. Palma
  10. Dedo no Olho
  11. Telefone
  12. Xangô
  13. Suicídio
  14. Vôo de Morcego
  15. Ponta de Faca
  16. Biqueira na Perna
  17. Pisão
  18. Bicudo na Perna
  19. Aû Batido