Cabeçada
Headbutt in capoeira
- Type
- Other strikes
- Martial arts
- Capoeira
- Meaning
- Headbutt
- Classified as
- capoeira technique
- Listed in
- Core techniques (capoeira)
Cabeçada (pronounced: ka-be-SA-da, lit. headbutt) is a headbutt in capoeira. It is a commonly used strike and one of the fundamental techniques in traditional capoeira.
Although simple to execute, headbutt is one of the most dangerous moves, often causing fatalities. Headbutt was a deadly technique in 19th century capoeira carioca. In the contemporary capoeira game, violent headbutts are generally avoided.
In capoeira, there are specific head butts, such as arpão de cabeça (head harpoon) and escorumelo.
Japanese terms for other strikes
| Term | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 打突 | datotsu | strike (kendo) |
| 踏鳴 | fuminari | stamp (in Japanese martial arts); stomp |
| 四股 | shiko | wrestler's ceremonial leg raising and stomping |
| 震脚 | shinkyaku | stamp (in Chinese martial arts); stomp |
| 当て身 | atemi | blow to a vital point of a person's body; striking techniques (judo) |
| 当て技 | atewaza | blow to a vital point of a person's body |
| 肘打ち | hijiuchi | elbow strike (karate) |
| 猿臂打ち | enpiuchi | elbow strike (karate) |
| 体々の先 | taitainosen | answering one's opponent's attack with an unwavering strike |
| 三役揃い踏み | san'yakusoroibumi | ritual stomping in unison on the final day of a tournament |
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q2932302 (CC0); text quoted from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.