GINGA
The swinging side to side step from which all other capoeira movement develops. The basic ginga stance has the front leg bent at 90 degrees with a slight outward rotation. The back leg is in parallel at hip width and lengthened back with the knee bent at 45 degrees and the ball of the foot placed into the floor. The pelvis is pulled the floor with the weight equally balanced between both feet. The spine is vertical. The arms are contracted in an exaggerated oppositional swing (right leg foward-left arm crosses the face) with the crossing arm’s elbow defending the face. Hands are contracted in monkey’s paws-halfway between a tight fist and a loose hand. To switch sides the back leg is brought to a bent parallel at least as wide as the shoulders and the former front leg steps to the back. The legs are always bent and weight bearing; never locking the knee in a straight position. The arms are swung in opposition, keeping the face protected by the elbows.

There are three levels of ginga:
GUARDA BAIXA: LOW GUARD The lowest ginga position with the reaching hand placed into the floor. The spine is tilted forward at the pelvis so the stomach and chest are placed on top of the thigh. This position is also called esquiva de frente (front esquiva).
GUARDA MEDIA: MIDDLE GUARD A standing low guard’ slightly higher than guarda baixa.
GUARDA ALTA: HIGH GUARD In spite of its name, guarda alta is not high at all - the front leg should be at 90 degrees and the back at 45 degrees.

NEGATIVA
from a deep squat position, one leg is brought forward slight bent with slight outward rotation. The lateral edge of the forward foot is placed on the floor - on the walk. The other leg’s foot is in a forced arch under the buttocks and the knee is pointed parallel forward in a diagonal towards the floor. The torso is bent forward and low over contracted abdominals. The arms are used in the same oppositional swing as in ginga, with the crossing arm’s elbow protecting the face and the hand of the other arm reaching forward into the floor past the forward leg’s knee. Although the buttocks are low enough to sit upon the forced arch foot’s heel, the weight is more towards the forward foot and hand, allowing the capoeirista to easily stand up in a forward diagonal.

DESCE TROCANDO
From Ginga right foot back step side to ginga Guarda Baixa left foot back. Pushing off right hand on floor jump to bring left foot from back to negativa foward; then switch left hand to the floor.

ROLÊ
(roll) from negativa, put weight on hand, step side with forward foot and step with other foot and hand to an upside down backwards parallel position. Knees and elbows are bent to keep the buttocks low and provide for easy maneuverability. The rolê is completed by pushing off the hands to step the first foot into parallel forward, negativa, or guarda baixa.

PASSAGE
Rolê foward rather than sideways to pass by your opponent. Can also designate an inverted barrel roll that is executed over the back of an opponent’s rolê.

AÚ
(cartwheel) The au is executed from a low wide parallel position. Unlike cartwheels, the arms do not swing overhead, but rather come in a direct line from in front of the face to the floor. Legs and arms may be either bent or straight and the head may be placed upon the floor.

MACACO
(full name = Pula Macaco = jump of the monkey) A back handspring from squat position. From squat, hand closest to opponent is placed on the floor directly under the shoulder with fingers pointed back. Other arm is thrown back in an overhead arc to reach for the floor as the hips are thrust up and back with the feet pushing to jump off the floor.

ESQUIVA
The basic defense move of capoeira. The legs are wide and bent with the weight equally distributed as the torso bends in the direction of the kick with the elbows protecting the face. The three esquivas are: side, front, and back. Side is executed in a wide parallel position. Front is in guarda baixa. Back swivels from ginga position to a parallel position perpendicular to the opponent.

MEIA LUA DE FRENTE
half moon to the front Step right foot parallel, kick left foot in outside half arch across the right leg. At completion of arch, bend left leg to bring it in a straight line to finish in parallel or in ginga left leg back.

ARMADA
upright circular kick Step right foot parallel, step left foot slightly forward of parallel in a shallow diagonal forward. Keeping eyes upon target, twist arms and torso around to front. Right foot kicks in circle and lands in ginga position.

MEIA LUA COMPASSO
half moon of the compass Same entrance as ARMADA, on second step the torso spirals to the floor underneath the legs, the left leg is bent the right leg is straight. Pushing off the floor with hands, the right leg is kicked in high circle to land back in guarda baixa or guarda media.

QUEIXADA
header First two steps identical to ARMADA. Right leg steps forward behind left leg. Arms and torso twist back and left leg kicks in a circle to land in ginga position.

PONTEIRA
A straight snap kick from the hip. Back leg knee is brought into the chest with a contraction of the stomach. Hips are thrust foward with torso counterbalancing back as leg snaps at target like a whip. The foot is extended with flexed toes so the ball of the foot strikes target. Kicking leg is brought back knee to the chest and then placed in Ginga back position. Arms work in opposition throughout kick.

BENÇAO
Blessing Executed like ponteira except it is a thrust used to push the opponent off balance rather than a whipping kick meant to strike. The flat of the foot strikes the target.

PISAO
A straight kick from the hip. Back leg knee is brought into the chest with a contraction of the stomach. The standing leg’s foot pivots so the toes point away from the target as the hip is inwardly rotated; the kicking leg is thrust out at target. The kick may be executed with the bottom of a flexed foot or outside edge of the foot striking the target. The standing leg and hip are rotated back to initial alignment as kicking leg is brought back knee to the chest and then placed in Ginga back position. Arms work in opposition throughout kick.

MARTELO
(hammer) Straight kick similar to Tae Kwon Do’s round house kick. Step right leg parallel, bring left leg forward close to right leg with hip and knee joints at 90 degrees. Rotate hips so right foot is pointing to back wall and left leg is parallel to floor. Snap left foot in an arch from the knee with the ball of the foot striking target. Bend left leg and pivot hips back to bring left foot quickly to ginga position. Arms work in opposition throughout kick.

PARAFUSO
Screw Also known as Armada com Martelo (Armada with Martelo) A jumping, spinning kick with torso parallel to the floor. Initiate like Armada; as the leg begins to kick, push off of standing leg to utilize the momentum of the armada to spin the body up into the air. The armada leg is followed by the second leg in martelo.

GALOPANTE
A hook punch that is initiated from the pelvis and torso. Hand strikes with a monkey paw.

RASTEIRA EM PÉ
A standing sweep. Jump forward and side like a side esquiva. The right foot lands past your kicking opponent as the left foot hooks the opponent's standing leg.