Capoeira Aerial - Au Sem Mao
The capoeira aerial (aka Au Sem Mao = Wheel Without Hands) is a cartwheel where your hands don't touch the ground. Aerials are done in a variety of martial arts styles and gymnastics. What's typical about the capoeira aerial is that you have to do it within one step from the ginga and that you don't
kick your legs straight up. You should be able to see your opponent the whole time and if your aerial is good enough, you can try to kick your opponent in the middle. For general information about capoeira, click here, and for more capoeira videos, click here.
Execution
- Start from the ginga and step to the side. For most people, jumping from the left leg is easier, however, being able to do the aerial both ways can be very beneficial.
- Don't bend your jumping leg too much and don't sit back before you jump. Bend your upper body down sideways and look at your opponent. Keep your abdominals tight. At the beginning it's ok if you look down to the floor though.
- Kick your back leg up and extend your arms sideways.
- Land on your kicking leg first and go back to the ginga smoothly.
Advice
- I recommend you jump from a bump into a sand pit at the beginning, but you can also practice the aerial with a reuther-springboard and mats.
- Learn the cartwheel and the one-handed cartwheel before you try the capoeira aerial.
- Always warm up and stretch before you practice acrobatic jumps.
Performance
Suggestions
