Entering a game

April 7th , 2002

Entering the Roda …

I'm writing this little article on entering a game in the Roda because I believe one less experienced can have many questions unanswered on this aspect. And to clear out a few things about my view about the respect of the art.

First of all when you play in the roda with people you don't know, you have to find out who's in charge ? Every Roda has his “Captain” , just like on a ship, one who gives directions, one who leads his crew thru a storm or around it. Mostly he's not so active in the centre but you may notice him being a charismatic singer or perceptive berimbau-player.

If you want to play , it's best to ask the “Captain”. This can be best done while squatting under need the berimbau and waitin for a simple smile , nodd , or for the berimbau to give a signal… When you are the first to play always wait for a signal that can be found in a song or movement of the commanding singer. By doing this you will show your respect to the man in charge and the roda itself , showing that you have a basic understanding of Capoeira. Also it's a good start at avoiding trouble…

Another thing that you should do is observe the game. This is because of many reasons. First of all you don't want to break a game. By this I mean that a game has to build. Especially a game of Angola mostly takes time to reach a good level at first players are testing , learning about their opponents , camaradas … then a game reaches a certain level , and afterwards it will slow down and extinguish. Every “experienced” capoeirista will remember some great games he played (crooked, fluid or full of malicia). And by knowing this, one can also see / compare when a game is at is top or when its on it's way down. In a game of Angola you (mostly) don't buy the game ! It grows like a flower and then vanishes like the fog in the morning. Your goals here is to look , learn and wait till a game is played.

In a game of Capoeira Regional things are slightly different. One has the power to break a game and so has to use that power skilfully, respecting the game that is going on.

Most young capoeiristas are so eager to play that they forget who they are playing with or against. They just jump forward and probably get there ass kicked , if they not play carefully. When in a Jogo de comprar (a game that can be bought) you have less time “in” the roda to get to know your adversary so you better use all the info you can get while being a part of the roda as a spectator or a musician. Observe the game and try to learn a much as possible from outside that you can use inside. Another important thing is that you always have to respect the roda. Enter at the gate that the berimbau's create. If player ignores this rule a roda will quickly become a chaos of spinning legs where every body is trying to jump in from all side , show there best kick or move and so totally forgetting about the music , the musicians , the players inside and the one's outside and the meaning of capoeira …

Capoeira needs his roda … and if every capoeirista participating knows and respects this then , beautiful games may follow …

Axé

Piu-piu


	Back to the Filosophy page... April 7th , 2002 Entering the Roda … I'm writing this little article on entering a game in the Roda because I believe one less experienced can have many questions unanswered on this aspect. And to clear out a few things about my view about the respect of the art. First of all when you play in the roda with people you don't know, you have to find out who's in charge ? Every Roda has his “Captain” , just like on a ship, one who gives directions, one who leads his crew thru a storm or around it. Mostly he's not so active in the centre but you may notice him being a charismatic singer or perceptive berimbau-player. If you want to play , it's best to ask the “Captain”. This can be best done while squatting under need the berimbau and waitin for a simple smile , nodd , or for the berimbau to give a signal… When you are the first to play always wait for a signal that can be found in a song or movement of the commanding singer. By doing this you will show your respect to the man in charge and the roda itself , showing that you have a basic understanding of Capoeira. Also it's a good start at avoiding trouble… Another thing that you should do is observe the game. This is because of many reasons. First of all you don't want to break a game. By this I mean that a game has to build. Especially a game of Angola mostly takes time to reach a good level at first players are testing , learning about their opponents , camaradas … then a game reaches a certain level , and afterwards it will slow down and extinguish. Every “experienced” capoeirista will remember some great games he played (crooked, fluid or full of malicia). And by knowing this, one can also see / compare when a game is at is top or when its on it's way down. In a game of Angola you (mostly) don't buy the game ! It grows like a flower and then vanishes like the fog in the morning. Your goals here is to look , learn and wait till a game is played. In a game of Capoeira Regional things are slightly different. One has the power to break a game and so has to use that power skilfully, respecting the game that is going on. Most young capoeiristas are so eager to play that they forget who they are playing with or against. They just jump forward and probably get there ass kicked , if they not play carefully. When in a Jogo de comprar (a game that can be bought) you have less time “in” the roda to get to know your adversary so you better use all the info you can get while being a part of the roda as a spectator or a musician. Observe the game and try to learn a much as possible from outside that you can use inside. Another important thing is that you always have to respect the roda. Enter at the gate that the berimbau's create. If player ignores this rule a roda will quickly become a chaos of spinning legs where every body is trying to jump in from all side , show there best kick or move and so totally forgetting about the music , the musicians , the players inside and the one's outside and the meaning of capoeira … Capoeira needs his roda … and if every capoeirista participating knows and respects this then , beautiful games may follow … Axé Piu-piu