10 Capoeira Fighting Tips

If you are interested in martial arts, here are 10 capoeira fighting tips to get you started. Capoeira was created as both a dance and a fighting method. The combination creates a beautiful, powerful art that you will find both physically, mentally and emotionally fulfilling.

1. The ginga. If you have not mastered the swaying motion that is the foundation of capoeira, known as the ginga, you are not ready to start fighting. You must feel it in your bones before you are ready to take it to the mat. Before fancy tricks and exciting victories, you have to be able to incorporate fully your body in the back and forth of the ginga.
2. Stretching before and after. Just like in any other sport or physical activity, stretching your muscles before and after practicing or fighting is essential. This simple routine will help you avoid injury, improve your circulation and significantly improve your performance. You want to step onto the mat with your body feeling as flexible and alive as possible.
3. Less is more. Capoeira was created to look like a dance. This means that the winner of a fight is not necessarily the strongest one on the mat. On the contrary, the winner is usually the player who is the most agile. Remember to wait for the right moment before attacking or your force will be useless against their readiness.
4. Faking it. Capoeira is more than just kicks and cartwheels. The mental aspect of this beautiful art is essential to winning fights. Practice faking moves to get your opponent to expose their weak side to you.
5. Let the mental games begin. Similar to faking your opponent out, you can use mental tactics to distract them or through them off their game. Laughing and smiling have both been used this way as the opponent doesn’t expect these reactions from their advances. Just be ready to attack once their guard is down.
6. Keep your hands to yourself. If attacked, most people will use their hands to defend themselves. Capoeira requires players to overcome this instinct. You will find that you are using your legs to attack nearly every time during victorious matches.
7. But keep them relaxed. Even though you won’t be punching at your opponent while on the mat, you might find your hands clenching up in anticipation and excitement. Keeping your hands unclenched will improve your circulation and help the rest of your body relax, too.
8. Staying in your body. When fighting, don’t think about what the move you are attempting will look like from the outside. The best way to learn any motion is to memorize how it feels for your body to do it. Muscle memory will serve you best when on the mat.
9. Watch your weight. Many capoeira moves depend on subtle shifts in your body weight. Include the feeling of shifting weight into your muscle memory. Where you place your weight will determine how well your next move is executed.
10. Pump yourself up. Capoeira is about the coordination of your mind and body in order to achieve physical acts of perfect attack. Believing you can perform well and win each match you encounter is essential. You must have faith in yourself. Don’t take part in a fight until you do.