Negativa (negative) also negaça (from ''negar'' - negate, deny) is the essential move of the

capoeira Capoeira () is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, music and spirituality. Born of the melting pot of enslaved Africans, Indigenous Brazilians and Portuguese influences at the beginning of the 16th cent ...

martial art Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...

. Negativa is used to negate incoming attacks by going low to the ground . It is a form of movement on the floor.

Technique

To perform the negativa position, capoeiristas squat on one leg and extend the other leg in front of them. Their supporting hand is placed on the ground on the same side as their extended leg, and their free hand is held up to protect their face.

Application

It's easy to quickly descend into the negativa. A player who does the negativa skillfully effortlessly evade their opponent's attacks, and always delivers their kicks to the intended part of the opponent's body, with impeccable timing. Going to the ground is a common tactic in capoeira, and it can be used to both deceive and attack an opponent. An experienced capoeirista can use their ground skills to lure an opponent into a trap, making themselves appear vulnerable when, in reality, they are about to attack. There are many kicks and takedowns specifically designed to be used from the ground.

Variations

Negativa derrubando

''Negativa derrubando'' used as a

foot sweep 300px, The attacker on the left sweeps the right foot of the opponent The foot sweep (also footsweep) is a move in many different styles of martial arts. It is used to trip an opponent. Foot sweeps are commonly used in Tang Soo Do, karate, Muay Th ...

which involves hooking the opponent's supporting leg. If the opponent is about to throw a standing kick, they will be putting all of their weight on one leg. This is the perfect opportunity to use your extended leg to hook theirs from behind and sweep them off their feet.

Negativa angola

''Negativa angola'', also known as ''negativa lateral'', is low version of negativa, for evading low kicks. This movement is easily achieved by bending one knee, extending the opposite leg, and leaning at the waist while lowering yourself as much as possible. From low negativa, it easy to transit into ''rolé'' or ''aú de cabeça''.

Literature

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