Why is it called playing Capoeira?
Though Capoeira is part martial art, dance, and cultural expression, it is above all a fun and intensely challenging game requiring physical stamina and mental strategy. Capoeira players train movements, attacks, defenses, sequences, and tricks individually with the intent to adapt and fit them together with other students. When players face off or spar, it is not uncommon for them to never actually make contact. Capoeira players focus on being able to control their bodies and show strikes and takedowns in the game without connecting with an opponent and disrupting the flow of the game itself. There are many sub styles or games within Capoeira, some slow, some fast. Some styles focus on complicated and beautiful acrobatic movements while others are played with the intent to train martial kicks and takedowns. Capoeira players change their intensity, style, and focus depending on the rhythm of the music.
