Rasteira

Rasteira
Rasteira, sweep technique in capoeira.
NameRasteira
Typesweep
Parent stylecapoeira Angola
Parent techniqueengolo sweep
Child technique(s)
  • crouching sweep
  • back crouching sweep
  • standing sweep
  • back standing sweep
  • grass cutter
Escapesjump, kidney fall

Rasteira is a foot sweep technique in capoeira, which usually counters high kicks.[1] It is one of the fundamental techniques in traditional capoeira.[2]

Rasteiras are quick, unexpected moves that can disrupt the opponent's balance.[1] Instead of meeting the kick with a block, the rasteira follows the same direction of the attack turning the opponent's force against himself. Mastering the rasteira takedown technique is an hallmark of an exceptional capoeirista.[3]

Along with meia lua de compasso, rasteira is considered as a trademarks of capoeira.[4] Like many other core capoeira techniques, rasteira was developed within Angolan martial art engolo.[5][6]

Capoeira sweeps can be done from crouching, standing, front, back, and fall positions.

  1. ^ a b Taylor 2012, pp. 118.
  2. ^ Pastinha 1988, pp. 38.
  3. ^ Capoeira 2007, pp. 108.
  4. ^ Capoeira 2007, pp. 109.
  5. ^ Desch-Obi 2008, pp. 223.
  6. ^ Documentary Jogo de Corpo. Capoeira e Ancestralidade (2013), by Matthias Assunção and Mestre Cobra Mansa