Capoeira

[Aodhan]

nah, that's not the same pot. TKD got it's current rep from a lot of things... the cammo belt that ATA uses, the flash seen in forms, the large number of McSchools, etc.

Actually, the camo belt goes along with the belt philosophy. When HU Lee designed the Songahm forms in the mid 80's, he created 9 belts with attendant philosphies. Songahm itself means "Pine Tree and Rock", and the belt philosphies reflect the growth of the tree.

Camo belt philosophy is "The sapling is hidden amongst the taller pines, and must now begin to fight its way upwards". Camo belt is also the first belt where students are introduced to free sparring. Just because you think it looks funny, doesn't mean there isn't a reason behind it.

Aodhan

[koala_style]

it's an oversimplification to say that capoeria = dance. it's essentially non-contact sparring, where the objective is to fool your opponent, catch them off-guard and read and react movements in a fluid, graceful manner. there are martial applications for all capoeira techniques, and it is very easy to get hurt if you are not careful. often times your opponent will swing full-force kicks at your head - it's a not a joke, you better duck.

that said, capoeira is NOT focused on violent contact, truly hurting people, or defending yourself in serious life/death situation. that doesn't mean it's not a martial art, tho.

[Hudson]

it's an oversimplification to say that capoeria = dance. it's essentially non-contact sparring, where the objective is to fool your opponent, catch them off-guard and read and react movements in a fluid, graceful manner. there are martial applications for all capoeira techniques, and it is very easy to get hurt if you are not careful. often times your opponent will swing full-force kicks at your head - it's a not a joke, you better duck.

that said, capoeira is NOT focused on violent contact, truly hurting people, or defending yourself in serious life/death situation. that doesn't mean it's not a martial art, tho.

I want to clarify two things: If you're not making contact, are you still sparring? I don't want to come off as a violent person but wouldn't some contact be necessary to be truly sparring? Which, of course, I see as a way of practicing your fighting.

Which brings me to my second thought, if Capoeira isn't focused on contact, hurting people, or defending yourself in a serious situation, can it actually be called a martial art? It surely quaifies as an art but if it can't offer offensive or defensive capabilities then it lacks the "martial" aspect, doesn't it?

[JusticeZero]

We're not concentrating on beating each other up. We're concentrating on getting to the 'checkmate', where the other guy's face is wide open having just stepped into a chambered kick floating in front of his nose. The reason we aren't making a lot of contact is because we don't let the other guy make contact. We're slinging powerful kicks at each other in contact range and they aren't hitting, but it's the same thing as when you're watching another art spar and you're seeing a loot of attacks that are blocked/warded off/otherwise successfully defended. Our successful defense means the hit never makes contact, and contact of poor quality that wouldn't cause much damage doesn't help my ability toward getting that checkmate - in fact, it probably kills a lot of my tactical options and leaves me open - so I don't waste my time hitting things that aren't targets.

[Goju_boi]

"I want to clarify two things: If you're not making contact, are you still sparring? I don't want to come off as a violent person but wouldn't some contact be necessary to be truly sparring? Which, of course, I see as a way of practicing your fighting. "

Just take a look at Aikido.That's still a martial art.

[Anbu Alex]

I was watching a Capoeria demo and i saw people get hit in the circle it is a martial art just because there's not a set idea of sparring doesnt mean it isnt a Martial art

[shogeri]

One could say that Capoeira primarily attacks with kicks and sweeps, while the defensive technques consist of evasive moves and rolls.

Malandragem involves a variety of improvisation and modifications of basic moves that manifest into a flurry of feints and fakes in a daring attempt to "trick" the partner or foe, into responding as the practitioner desires. Basically they use trapping, feinting, and faking techniques as ploys or lures to get the opponent closer or in range.

The ability of the Capoeirista to be sensitive to the situation and be able to anticipate the moves of their opponents, then prepare the most effective and efficient response is one of the most crucial skills in which they can develop over time.

From least to most, I would say the following are the primary(popular) leg strike styles:

Tae Kwon Do - True TKD uses a mix of techniques, but it's focus has been on kicking, especially with the ever so popular ax-kick.

Savate - Uses many leg strikes, along with simple, but effective short hand strikes

Muay Thai - Is third for it's heavy use of the devasting roundhouse with shin

Mok Gar - this style is not well known, and is often taught along Hung Gar

Capoeira - A few hand techniques are employed.

I put this list up, just to show that Capoeira has MA roots, and can be lethal to those not expecting what is coming next.

Those are some of my random thoughts on this.

[Goju_boi]

those are good examples but there's also Taekyon and chou jiao.anyways Savate and mok gar aren't that common. I guess they are in thier countries though.

[shogeri]

You are correct G.B.

[niel0092]

I always wanted to try this art. It just looks like it'd be so much fun!