Disclaimer:
This page is by no means a guide to learning capoeira. I am putting it here as a resource for those of you in the club (or elsewhere) who want a way to look at a move and practice it in your own time (after having already been taught how to properly do it). As we move on in learning new movements, I will add those here also.
-Faisca

Ginga (jin-gah)
The ginga is Capoeira's basic "stance". The ginga is a form of personal expression and style, and one should try to always be in ginga while playing capoeira (unless doing moves of course) never stand around! The legs begin in a lunging position, one leg infront of the other. The back leg is brought even with the front leg, and then the other leg steps backward.

Au (ah-oo)
"Au" is a cartwheel. Capoeira cartwheels differ from gymnastics style in that you lean to the side and go over, not to the front. Also the legs DO NOT have to be straight, they can bend or do whatever. The arms can also be bent and not straight (I personally think it looks cooler that way too).

Esquiva (ess-kee-vah)
Esquiva is a generic term for "dodge". There are variations such as Esquiva Lateral or Esquiva Frontal. The picture to the left demonstrates what is called decida basica (it is a side view), an escape that has you bend down from ginga, the front leg bent, back straight or a little bent, with one hand flat on the ground for balance and the other up to protect your face.

Bênção (ben-sow)
This is a pretty easy straight kick. Step forward from ginga and bend your knee up, it helps to reach forward with your arms as you do this to set up for the next part of the kick. You then lunge forward with the kicking leg and pull back with your arms, leaning back as you do. This is more of a pushing kick then a snapping, you don't snap it up, you push it forward. When you're finished, bring the kick back down into ginga.

Pontape Cruzado (pawn-tah-pay)
This is a very basic snap kick, used to be quick and precise. Step forward from ginga and bring your knee up, at the same time start to turn your hips. The momentum come from turning your hips, and it makes the snapping motion of your kick hit harder. Snap the leg out, and then bring it back down in the opposite motion of how you lifted it up. This kick can strike anywhere on the body, from the head to the knee.

Armada (ar-mah-dah)
The armada is a spinning back circular kick that strikes with the outside edge of the foot. Momentum and muscle should be used to swing the leg around, momentum that comes from twisting the body around beforehand. Try to look at your partner before you throw the kick. The kicking leg can land back in ginga, or in "base" (next to the other leg)

Queixada (kay-sha-da)
This is an outside to inside kick, similar to armada but with no spin. The twisting of the body before the kick should generate the momentum needed for your leg to fly up and around in the circular motion. This is a great setup for kick combinations.

Passape (pah-sah-pay)
Passape is an outside to inside circular kick done while facing forward. It is like the opposite of a quiexada. From ginga, you step forward with your back leg into base, then the front leg kicks up and around in a circle, then is brought back to the base position. A good setup for kick combinations.

Meia Lua De Compasso (may-a-lou-a)
Meia Lua is, after armada, one of the most basic spinning capoeira kicks. It is easily linked to other circular kicks. It is like armada in the set up before you throw the leg, but instead of merely stepping around, your body will bend down towards the floor. One or two hands can be placed to keep balance, depending on how fast you want to throw the kick (the no handed meia lua is fun too).

Animations by instructor Caveira of Capoeira Brasil.
Some images by Capoeira Corner.

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