Esquiva
Esquiva
A dodge in capoeira. Capoeira hardly blocks attacks, but evades them with the body, to the side, downward or backward.
Quick Facts
Term typeClassification of techniques, arts and schools
LanguagePortuguese
Formnoun
Pronunciation[ees-kee-vah]
Alternative Namesdodge
Readings and romanizations
IPAisˈkivɐ
Definition
Esquiva (Portuguese for “dodge”) is a group of defensive capoeira movements. Instead of a hand block, the player evades the attack, usually by lowering the body, sidestepping or moving back. Esquivas follow from the basic movement ginga, and from a low position the player can at once continue with a counterattack or takedown. Esquivas differ by group and school, for example esquiva lateral (dodge to the side) or esquiva baixa (dodge downward).