Scorpion kick (capoeira)

Rabo de arraia (stingray tail) is the oldest name for this technique,[3] which is still used in literature.[4][5] However, rabo de arraia is also a generic capoeira term for inverted kicks over the head, including meia lua de compasso, with all its variations.

Other names for this kick include pantana (swamp),[6] which is no longer commonly used, and escorpião (scorpion), which is the current name for some variations of the technique.[7]

Scorpion kick is one of the distinct engolo kicks, first documented in drawings from 1950s.[8] It is not common among today's old practitioners, but some of them known how to execute it when asked.[9]

Many inverted positions of engolo and capoeira, are believed to have originated from the use of handstand by nganga imitating their ancestors, who walked on their hands in the spirit world.[10]

A cartoon showing capoeira defeating a jiu-jitsu fighter, using the rabo di arraia kick, 1909.

In the 19th century, the rabo de arraia was a popular kick in Rio's capoeira carioca.[11] It was also known as pantana in Rio.[12]

In 1909, there was a famous match when a capoeirista Cyríaco da Silva defeated a Japanese jujitsu champion Sado Miyako with the double legged rabo de arraia kick.[13] Japanese martial arts champions visiting Brazil frequently challenged locals to free-style contests. In 1909, Sado Miyako was challenged by Ciríaco da Silva, a black docker and capoeira mestre. The match drew a sizable crowd in a specially erected pavilion on Avenida Central.[14] After the victory, Ciríaco was carried out on the shoulders and hailed as a national hero in Rio.[15]

The capoeirista starts the rabo de arraia by placing the palms of their hands on the ground. The capoeirista then kicks backwards over their head at a target in front of them.[4] Instead of looking forward like in a regular handstand, the player extends their neck and whips one leg out in a backflip kick.[5]

The height of the kick depends on the target.[5] The escorpião is very hard to see and is extremely dangerous in the hands of a master.

Animation of the scorpion kick.

To someone who does not know capoeira, this blow may seem absurd. The player stands on his hands in front of his opponent and hits the opponent’s head with his heel. But those who have had the chance to use it on the proper occasion know its effectiveness and its destructive power, given the element of surprise as well as the enormous force of the kick.[16]

— Nestor Capoeira

This technique allows a player to go under the opponent's kick, such as armada, queixada, meia-lua-de-compasso, etc., and then attack unexpectedly and with an extremely powerful and devastating blow.[17]

The value of the scorpion kick lies in its unexpected delivery angle. When someone is in a crouched position on all fours and facing their opponent, akin to a cat, the opponent is not anticipating a kick arriving directly over the top of the head.[5]

There are different versions of this inverted kicking technique in capoeira. The variants include:

• escorpião em pé (scorpion on foot), where one foot remains on the ground while other is kicking.
• escorpião na quda de rins (scorpion in kidney fall), ground version of the kick, from queda de rins position.
• escorpião de cotovelo (scorpion on elbow), with the elbow as a support.

With both legs kicking

Raul Pederneiras, pantana de cócoras (squatting swamp)

The capoeirista approaches the opponent and suddenly throws their body into a somersault, supporting themselves with their hands on the ground while kicking both feet towards the opponent's head.[2]

The initial position resembles a handstand, but with an arched back, chin in, head forward, chest thrust out, and legs arched back, mimicking a scorpion's tail.[18] The player should descend quickly and, while rapidly supporting both hands on the ground, kick with both feet to the opponent's face or chest.[1] The result of this move is almost always, even when successful, falling on top of the opponent.[2]

The contemporary name for this technique is double scorpion (escorpião duplo) or just scorpion.[18] It was also known as patana de frente (front swamp) or pantana de cócoras (squatting swamp) in 1920s.[19]

In capoeira carioca, there also existed a side version version of this kick called patana de lado (side swamp).[20]

With one leg kicking

Scorpion kick on the streets of Stockholm.

This rabo di arraia version is performed by kicking up into a handstand.[5] The kick is done with the heel aimed at the opponent's head.[21] After completing it the capoerista returns to its position.[4] It is common to first contact with one heel and then kick with another, or to alternate both legs before returning to the original position.[4]

Escape version

Raul Pederneiras, pantana de esquiva

Patana de esquiva (escape swamp) is an evasive exit for patana kick, regularly used if the capoeirista misses the target. So, after a miss of the pantana part, the player continues into the queda de tres position.[24]

• Burlamaqui, Anibal (1928). Gymnástica nacional (capoeiragem), methodisada e regrada. Rio de Janeiro.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Da Costa, Lamartine Pereira (1961). Capoeiragem, a arte da defesa pessoal brasileira. Rio de Janeiro: Oficial da Marinha.
• Assunção, Matthias Röhrig (2002). Capoeira: The History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7146-8086-6.
• Capoeira, Nestor (2002). Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game. Blue Snake Books. ISBN 978-1-58394-637-4.
• Capoeira, Nestor (2007). The Little Capoeira Book. Blue Snake Books. ISBN 9781583941980.
• Desch-Obi, M. Thomas J. (2008). Fighting for Honor: The History of African Martial Art Traditions in the Atlantic World. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-57003-718-4.
• Taylor, Gerard (2012). Capoeira 100: An Illustrated Guide to the Essential Movements and Techniques. Blue Snake Books. ISBN 9781583941768.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scorpion kick.

• Rabo de arraia
• Scorpion pose
• List of capoeira techniques