Equipment might be an issue, the helmet might be a little tough to get used to and the gloves too (although they are not as restrictive as boxing gloves).
Keep in mind the scoring, clean throws, knockdowns and being thrown out of the area score high (2-3 pts depending on the technique). Only “trembling shock” strikes count as points. Any technique that would seem like the fighter lost balance or fell to the ground while executing it would be a loss of points (1 per infraction), touching hands to the ground would be considered loss of balance altough they allow you to do a low sweep so long as it is clean and the execution of the movement created a fall. So “estrelas” would not be allowed but a “rabo-de-arraia” that scores a point would work… but only if it scores the point! Being pushed out of the area three times in one round is considered a loss of the fight.
Another thing to consider, if the fighters are avoiding each other for more than 5 seconds they will be warned, if it continues, loss of points and a third infraction would disqualify them, so it makes it tough to set up with ginga…
Overall I would say it’s not “friendly” to all techniques, but so long as you can adapt your style to work within the rules you will be fine.
If any of you would like to come down before hand we could set something up at my school so you all can have a better feel for the rules in action and we can clarify any points that might be in the “gray” area. That way your guys can train with a clear idea of what will be accepted and not at the tournament.
I thought of equipment when I asked the question but it’s posisble to just nix some techniques that would be restricted by gloves or helmet.
how about mealua? (Again, spelling may be wrong but you probably understand what I’m saying!) You have to touch the ground for that, well you don’t have to but I would prefer it in a fight since my power generation is weaker with no hands.
Would Au be a problem as well?
AS for Ginga, we work constantly on not doing Ginga for too long or at all between transitions. I can’t really see avoidance as an issue since the key in capoeira is to be aggressive and keep your opponent guessing.
So is it possible to touch the ground if it’s not an obvious loss of balance?
“meia-lua” souldn’t be a problem so long as you are able to score, any striking technique that touches the ground so long as you score should be fine.
Now in terms of throws, keep this in mind too, if any part of your body other than your feet (e.g. knees, hands, elbow, etc…) touches the ground prior to the throw it will NOT be counted. This is important to remember specially if you are used to shooting in wrestling. Touch the knee on the ground, fight stops.
The ginga comment would be more if people aren’t used to fast fighting, so long as the guys don’t spend too much time on it it should be fine.
Q: “is it possible to touch the ground if it’s not an obvious loss of balance?”
A: Only if you score!
Please keep in mind that he (Mr. Fields) would NOT be able to answer any questions regarding the Kuoshu event. He will, however, be able to send you forms and answer any questions about the event in general.
Oh, also, some of my forms students will be there to compete too so if anyone wants to compete in forms only you are more than welcome to do so, they have open hand and weapons events, keep in mind though this is a Karate tournament open to all styles.
We will also be performing a lion dance for the opening of the event… if any of you are into that kinda thing.
Let me know if you want a demo, the sooner the better. Also, if you talk to the local Cap guys, or give me a contact email, I’d like to see if they would be interested in playing a little while we’re there. Especially if you’re going to be throwing a brazillian bbq!
cool, nice to see another capoeira group so “close” to us It would be cool to get a roda going with them while we’re out there and if they are open to that sort of thing. Are they regional or something close?
I’m pretty sure it’s senzala… but I could be wrong (that’s nothing new! ).
They have an open roda every once in while, so they should be open for friendly exchange.
To be honest things between me and this group have not always been good. The instructor is good friends with my ex-wife’s husband and my divorce was pretty messy (long story). To top it off when I was younger (and dumber) I had a pretty poor opinion of Capoeira in the US and wasn’t afraid to voice it or prove it… ahhhh the days of young arrogance.
LOLm, it still looks sort of wierd to me to see a bunch of really white people doing it but the brazillians we know love it and love us for doing it!
So are you american or Brazilian now living in america?
We’d love to do more open roda here but the other big group in the cities is led by a complete ass. The guy is brazilian, who is sort of old school in his thinking. He’s shown up at a ocuple of rodas but spent all his time critiscizing our group. It’s sad really.
I think Capoeira has come a long way here, just like CMA. Most people who teach it because it’s “cool” don’t stick around for long.
The same thing that plagues any martial art will do the same to Capoeira. You have people who don’t know the real thing that teach it, then you have people that think that just because they’re Brazilian means that they know the real thing and some times have spent less time in a roda than most “gringos” that are serious about the art.
I see this happen all of the time, in almost every MA. I was one of those a-holes myself. Always looking to criticize and never recognize… insecurity, that’s all. The guy probably feels threatened by the work of your group.
“are you american or Brazilian now living in america?”
I was born in NY but raised from 6 to 18 in Rio. My father is Brazilian and my mother American… you could say I’m both.
To boot my parents have been in MA for a long time, my dad in Judo and my mother a Tai Chi Chuan teacher and a TCM doctor. Growing up around Asian customs and traditions, looking like an American kid but with Brazilian attitude… I still can’t figure out where I’m supposed to fit.
I know what you mean. Capoeira has all the issues all other martial arts do, just in different proportions. I’m not going to bother with the politics and all that crap in it though. You don’t want to roda with us then you’re missing out on a chance to learn, and that’s your bad not mine. I’m sure this guy here in the cities, his students would appreciate being able to mingle with other capoeira students but he won’t let them.
Kewl, My instructor wants me to contact the group in Madison to see if they are open to doing a roda while we’re out there. Some of my fellow calssmates have a bad taste in their mouth since the lats couple of events they tried to get going locally were sort of ruined by another capoeira group in the area, the on I mentioned above. If you don’t mind I’m going to mention you’re name as who I got the webstie and info from?
It would be cool to get a roda going with them while we’re out there and if they are open to that sort of thing. Are they regional or something close?