Mangalot Capoeira - Miami

Mestre Cabeção

Level up your belt: Troca de cordão

The first six belts are considered “aluno,” or student, ranks. When the student has solid foundations in the basic movements, acrobatics, music, history, culture, and language of capoeira, they are ready to go to the next level.

Advanced students continue to progress through several instructor-level ranks, each of which carries a specific title.

REQUIREMENTS TO CHANGE BELT

**IMPORTANT**

While called “requirements” below, consider this a guide. You do not need to master 100% of the list to advance. A reasonable goal is to be comfortable with at least 60% of the skills for each level. For all belts, time training and consistency in class will be the most important factors taken into consideration for you to move up.

Keep tracking and testing your skills

Your development is a process of consistency, proper guidance, and dedication.

Improvement does not happen overnight: it takes place every class, all year long.

At batizado time, we will take a day to go through all the things you have learned, so we are on the same page about where you are and what we need to do keep improving and growing together.

How can I make sure I’m moving forward?

We advise you to keep track of the moves you learn in class. Everyone learns and develops differently, and we do not expect you to perform every move with perfect technique all the time. Our goal is for our students to fully experience capoeira and feel comfortable and confident along the journey.

Option 1: Get our training books for each level. The books explain each move and its technique and allows you to track what you have learned, with space for notes.

Option 2: Get our capoeira journal to keep track of the moves, songs, rituals, etc. that you learn inside and outside of class.

Option 3: Use your own notebook, of the Notes app on your phone or computer, to keep track of the what you learn.

Check our store to get your journal now:

books for my students

The learning process will be based on:

  • Time training consistently is the most important consideration for each belt level. After the first belt, students need to be training consistently for at least 10 months to advance to the next level.

  • Ginga, kicks, escapes, and traditional sequences are the basis for your capoeira game and will have a strong influence throughout your capoeira journey. Everything else is bonus and adds flavor to your game. We expect you to complete at least 60% of the moves required for each level. At the same time, we understand that people’s capabilities and goals are different, so we will always work with you to help you develop in the way that is best for you. The movements listed are a guide for your development; they are not necessary to move forward, but we encourage you to challenge yourself. We know you will end up doing things you never thought were possible!

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  • Doing the capoeira movements is important, but putting them together to play capoeira is the goal. This understanding of the game only comes with time. You can play capoeira with a few basic movements: ginga, basic kicks and escapes. To move forward, you must demonstrate progress in how you apply these simple tools in the game. At higher levels, you are expected to build more complexity into your capoeira.

  • Capoeira is as much about rhythm and song as it is about movement. Developing music skills, including playing instruments and singing, is essential to immerse yourself fully in the Capoeira experience.

  • Beyond the physicality, Capoeira has deep-rooted rituals and traditions. Understanding these rituals enriches your connection to its history and cultural significance.

  • Capoeira demands both physical and mental agility. To excel, you must maintain a high level of fitness, combining strength, flexibility, and mental resilience.

  • Capoeira extends beyond the studio. Active participation in events, workshops, and performances not only hones your skills but also strengthens the global Capoeira community.

  • Capoeira is intertwined with Brazilian culture and language. Gaining insights into both broadens your appreciation and enhances communication within the Capoeira world.

  • For those progressing to become instructors, teacher skills are crucial. Learning how to share your knowledge effectively and inspire others is an essential aspect of Capoeira.

  • Capoeira is a communal journey. Your active involvement and investment in your school and community foster a sense of belonging and collective growth.

    Incorporating these requirements into your Capoeira practice will not only elevate your skills but also enrich your connection to this vibrant art form and its global community.

The following elements are also important for your development as a capoeirista. Take advantage of all opportunities to learn as much as you can. Try to understand your areas of difficulty so you can improve, and also identify your hidden talents and areas of strength to further develop them and make your capoeira stand out.

Incorporating these requirements into your Capoeira practice will not only elevate your skills but also enrich your connection to this vibrant art form and its global community.

Different directions to grow

The 1st belt is focused mostly on movement. As you advance, you will have more responsibility, but also more opportunity to focus on learning and developing the aspects of capoeira that make the most sense for you and that you are most passionate about.

In your development, you have the choice to grow in 4 ways:

  • As a player

  • As a performer

  • As a musician

  • As a teacher

Belt requirements

1st belt: Green (verde)

Capoeira is for everyone! Be comfortable starting to play

  • At least 6 months in capoeira, training 2x a week.

  • Know how to do the following movements:

    • Squat

    • Hinge

    • Plank

    • Push-up

    • Negativa push-up

  • Ginga:

    1. Learn and understand the 2 different ginga positions: squat and lunge

    2. Arm circles

    3. Be able to do all the escapes and kicks from ginga, alternating sides

    Basic escapes:

    1. Cocorinha

    2. Esquiva lateral

    3. Esquiva recuada

    4. Esquiva baixa

    5. Cocorinha + negativa

    6. Decida da negativa

    Basic kicks:

    1. Meia lua de frente

    2. Queixada

    3. Armada

    4. Meia lua de compasso

    Kicks from different bases:

    1. Meia lua de frente de trás

    2. Meia lua de frente avançando

    3. Queixada da esquiva recuada

    Basic acrobatics:

    1. Aú

    2. Bananeira

    3. Ponte

    Moving around (animal walks):

    1. Carneirinho

    2. Caranqueijo

    3. Sapinho

    4. Macaquinho

    5. Rolê

    1. How to do ginga mirroring your partner

    2. How to do ginga opposite your partner

    3. Be able to place your kick

    4. Be able to escape from kicks

    5. How to work your arms in the ginga to check your distance

    1. How to start

    2. How to stop

    3. How to buy a game

    4. How to stand in the roda

  • • Behave with respect for yourself, your teacher, and your training partners.

    • Avoid drama: don’t create problems that interfere with the harmony and balance of the group.

    • If something is affecting you, handle it with ethics, honor, sincerity, humility, integrity, and good intentions.

  • Be able to clap on the rhythm.

  • Participate (play) in at least one roda.

2nd belt: 3 green, 1 yellow (3 verde, 1 amarelo)

Crawling to walk: Be able to have a simple conversation

  • At least 6 months after 1st belt and training 3x a week.

    Ideally 10+ months after 1st belt, training at least 2x a week and coming to fundamental class.

  • Be able to hold:

    1. Squat 1 min

    2. Plank 1 min

    3. Wall handstand 30 sec

    4. Low squat 30 sec

  • Ginga:

    1. How to move laterally and around your partner with ginga

    2. 1st fase da ginga

    3. 2nd fase da ginga

    4. 3rd fase da ginga

    5. Arm variations 2 tempos

    Escapes:

    1. Lateral side to side

    2. Lateral opposite side

    3. Pendulo da ginga

    How to block:

    1. Galopante

    2. Espelho

    How to do:

    1. Cutila

    Negativa variations:

    1. Troca a negativa

    2. Senta na perna do rolê

    Kicks traumatizantes:

    1. Benção

    2. Martelo

    Acrobatics:

    1. Au negativa e rolê

    2. Au retorno

    3. Bananeira with a partner up and down

    Moving around:

    1. Rolê 1 tempo

    2. Rolê 2 tempos

    3. Getting up from rolê laterally

    4. Getting up from rolê backward

  • Understand the difference between the entrada and finta.

    Entradas:

    1. Entrada de armada

    2. Entrada de meia lua de compasso

  • How to combine moves:

    1. Meia lua de tras and meia lua avançando

    2. Meia lua de frente base da ginga queixada

    3. Meia lua de frente e armada

    4. Armada and queixada

    5. Armada and meia lua de compasso

    6. Meia lua de compasso and queixada

  • Understand these 3 elements to improve your game strategy and be able to counterattack.

    1. Direction:

    1. Attack in favor

    2. Attack against your partner

    2. Distance:

    Be able to work your ginga, kicks, and escape distance.

    3. Timing:

    Improve your timing.

    1. Be able to do volta ao mundo.

    2. Be able to play a 30 sec game where you use 2 different kicks, 2 different escapes, move around, do at least one acrobatic movement (e.g., au), and be able to respond to your partner.

  • • Behave with respect for yourself, your teacher, and your training partners.

    • Avoid drama: don’t create problems that interfere with the harmony and balance of the group.

    • If something is affecting you, handle it with ethics, honor, sincerity, humility, integrity, and good intentions.

  • Be able to clap and respond the chorus.

  • Participate in one event outside the studio. This can be a performance, outside roda or training, or another school’s event.