Tighten Up Your Game With These Capoeira Ground Training Sequences

You don’t always have to do long Capoeira floreio sequences. Yes that has it’s place, and ultimately, you will be doing just that. But if you feel that there are holes in your transitions, rough stalls in your game, or just bad form and techinique when going for those long combos, then this blog is for you.

We will be going over these mini-combos that you will practice 5 to 10 times each side to tighten up your game. Once you clean up these easy transitions, you can add them back to your long combinations and training sessions. This has the training level of intermediate to advanced beginner.

That means you have to at least know the basics like your 3 main circular kicks (quexada, armada, and meia lua de compasso) along with your basic acrobatics like Au, Au de Frente, Piao de Mao, Au Batido (Amazonas), and Macaco. Let’s get down to business.

In order to improve your long Capoeira game, you must focus on the short.

That means concentrating just on the short sequences that include a kick, transition and an acrobatic. Focusing here will really clean up your “everything”. Then when you do go long, whether you are shooting a Youtube video or actually playing a long game in the roda, you will have success…big time!

The first sequence we will fous on is:

Quexada to Au

Yes, that’s it. We will be building on it…don’t worry! We want to concentrate on the transition being clean from your kick to your acrobatic. There are couple different ways to transition:

  • Beginner: land your kick to the base position and continue on to your acrobatic, in the same direction your momentum is taking you. (ex. quexada left to au left)
  • Intermediate to Advanced: You will land to the back, turn your hips, and use the Hip Switch Kick Back Tranisition. More info on this move here.

In the video above, I use the Hip Switch variation when doing this combo. It allows you to tread water and stay in the same location in the roda while doing your acrobatic. Do this combination at least 5 times each side, but remember that the more repitions you do the better on your overall development. (I’d go for 10 each side)

Passa Pe, Armada (opposite direction), then Au de Frente.

Remember that Passa Pe is usually called Meia Lua de Frente in other groups. Now we have 2 kicks going in opposite directions. This is the perfect combination to capture the rebound momentum of the Passa Pe (Meia Lua de Frente) and use it to shoot you into your Armada and Au de Frente.

Let’s talk a little about footwork, since this is just a 3 move combo and we are trying to clean up every little thing about it to ultimately improve our overall long game and creativity.

Once you’ve given your Passa Pe from the base, you will land your kicking leg to the base, then step across forward with your opposite leg to about a foot and 1/2 in front of your base leg to set up your armada. From there, just give a sweet tight Armada landing either to the back or base as described in the previous combination.

The finishing acrobatic is Au de Frente so just make sure to come up with hips “up”. I have a great tutorial video that describes the importance of this detail in full here.

Passa Pe to Armada (same direction) to Au Batido Switch (Amazonas Switch)

Again, remember that Passa Pe is Meia Lua de Frente in other groups. Also, thie Au Batido switch can be modified to regular Au Batido if you’re not ready for the big time yet. 😉 Again, this is all about footwork to get your transitions clean. Again, we have 3 moves, all going in the same direction this time, so to maximize your momentum all you have to do is NOT stop.

I always tell my students this when doing combinations, whether kicking or acrobatic. “As long as you don’t stop completely, you will be able to ride the wave of your momentum and let it power your combination”.

Let’s talk about the footwork.

When giving your first kick, meia lua de frente, make sure to flex your toes and keep your leg straight. Land, once again, across your opposite shoulder about one and 1/2 feet from your supporting leg. Procede to administer the armada either landing to the base or back with Hip Switch option. From there, put your hand immediately down by your side to initiate the Amazonas (Au Batido) Switch.

If you cannot do the Amazonas Switch, you can modify it with just doing a regular Amazonas (Au Batido). Remember that we are trying to clean up transitions in between small combos. It won’t do you any good to struggle with the Au Batido Switch and totally miss the point of the drill. Carry on.

Passa Pe to Armada (opposite direction), Piao de Mao

Once again we will use the kick set up as Combo #2 above. This is a great combination for generating momentum, but this time will go for a handspin ending. There is a modification on this acrobatic as well. If you cannot do the swing thru Piao de Mao yet, then just do a regular handspin landing first.

The Capoeira Footwork for the first two kicks is same as Combo 2 above. Let’s talk about the finishing swing thru movment.

When landing the second kick (armada), let it swing through without touching the ground, grazing the floor, and going immediatly into the Piao de Mao move. This will give your combo additional momentum rather than landing your kicking leg, then going into your handspin. Swing-thrus are very useful when done right. Enjoy, and let me know what you think after drilling this beauty.

Passa Pe to Meia Lua de Compasso (opposite direction), Raiz

Last but not least, this combo is for the big dog Capoeiristas who wanna put some spice on their pickle. Yes, there is a modification for you mere mortals..don’t worry. Let’s get after it now.

The Capoeira footwork is similar to the one described above in Combo 2 above, however, it changes right after finishing the first kick (Passa Pe) to the base.

Instead of stepping across one and 1/2 feet across to the opposite shoulder, you want to step even deeper to Meia Lua de Compasso position 1. (described here) I would say about double the distance 3 to 3 1/2 feeet to get ready for a good M.L.C. We also want to use a 45° over rotation to land the MLC to get ready for the Raiz.

The Raiz can be substituted by a Martelo Rodado. Raiz is one of the most ellusive floreios I’ve ever pursued. One day she loves you, then one day she runs off with your boss saying they’re moving to Wyoming to become farmers. It’s like that…lol!

Training Regimen

So now that you got the footwork and small details of these short 2 and 3 move combos, let’s talk shortly about how you should train them. I reiterate that we are trying to improve your creativiy, stability, and long combination game. We are training these small combos to strengthen the transitions in between important moves…namely, kicks and acrobatics.

Once you have the combos memorized, meaning you’ve tried them out a few times and have done them at least 5 times each side stopping in between to record them, or review the next set. It is now time to drill them non-stop all the way through, one combo after another 5-10 times each side until done.

This will really clean up your transitions and make you very stable when pulling these out your pocket at any time. Once you can go all the way through, see how many times you can repeat it in an hour without stopping. That’s O Rei stylee.

Well I hope you have enjoyed this training using easy short Capoeira training sequences to improve your long game. Let me know by commenting below how it worked for you. Also, if you are ready for the big time, consider my Ground Game 2 training system, or if not then my Ground Game 1.

Until next time Galera! Gingaaaaaaa!

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