Trainer seminar 'Capoeira children's training' with Mestre Ferradura in Alicante
- artenacionalcapoeira
- Sep 30, 2025
- 7 min read
Last weekend we, Mestre Dedé and Professor Raj , had the opportunity to take part in a trainer seminar for children's capoeira in Alicante, which touched us particularly deeply: one and a half days of intensive trainer seminar with Mestre Ferradura , which was exclusively about capoeira children's training .
Our experience
From the very first moment, it was clear: this would be no ordinary seminar. Mestre Ferradura combined theory and practice in such a way that we felt like learners, teachers, and children simultaneously.
We experienced how important it is to define children's training not just through technique, but through values, play, and community . We were able to try out every method practically : from warm-up games to obstacle courses—and then reflect on it together. This firsthand learning was incredibly enriching.
Objective: Developing children’s potential
What is Capoeira training for children actually about? For parents who enroll their children in recreational activities, and for the children themselves, it's often not primarily about "learning Capoeira." Rather, it's often about giving the child the opportunity to develop their potential and have fun doing so.
Capoeira combines play, movement, music, dance, acrobatics, fighting, language and culture in an incomparable way – a combination that cannot be found in any other discipline:
Not in children's gymnastics, not in football, not in karate, not in ballet, not in music school, not in language lessons.
The Basis: Four Pillars of Capoeira Children’s Training
What exactly is good children's training? In our discussions with Mestre Ferradura, it became even clearer to us that high-quality children's training is based on four pillars :
1. Security
As trainers, are we on-site on time to welcome the children? Is the room safe? Is the cell phone charged and accessible in case of emergency? Which movements and teaching methods are suitable for which age group? – All of these are fundamental pillars. Our own training as trainers also plays a key role. And just as important: Can we as trainers ensure psychological and emotional safety ? Do the children feel accepted, heard, and respected – regardless of their ability, temperament, or background?
2. Entertainment
Children want to have fun – and capoeira offers endless possibilities. But the methods must be tailored to the target audience . A simple example: It makes a huge difference whether a movement is practiced through mindless repetition or through a game that teaches the same technique, ideally linked to music and anchored in the children's imagination.
3. Knowledge transfer
Good children's training means working from the familiar to the unfamiliar , gradually expanding boundaries. This applies to capoeira movements, as well as to language and culture. Portuguese children's songs, for example, are easily translated into other languages. Cultural topics can also build on children's prior knowledge: In Germany, for example, when we talk about animals—elephants and lions are familiar, but we can add new animals from Africa or Brazil through games and songs, simultaneously connecting movement, language, and culture.
4. Limits
Clear, non-negotiable boundaries are essential: no unnecessary risks – neither for the children themselves, nor for others, nor for the equipment or the lesson. Only in this way can we create a safe and respectful environment in which children can develop freely. It's important that we don't use punishments , but rather clear, appropriate consequences .
Structure of children's training
Type of exercises
A particularly exciting part of the seminar was the discussion on how to structure a training session for different age groups . We learned:
Arrival & warm-up games that immediately create a positive atmosphere
Music exercises that open children to rhythm and singing
Games to integrate all facets of Capoeira – movement, combat, acrobatics, music and language
Obstacle course, popular with everyone, where motor skills, creativity and team spirit come together
Cooldowns that help children relax after intense activity
We became even more aware of how important it is, especially at the beginning of the lesson, for children to be allowed to run, scream, and do cartwheels . These forms of expression are not "disturbances" but basic needs – and when we incorporate them, a positive foundation for the entire training is created.
We also learned how helpful it can be to use symbols, toys, and simple equipment to channel children's energy and creativity.
The better the welcome game is, the more focused and receptive the children are in the subsequent training.
Selection and conception of the exercises
What was particularly impressive for us was how holistically you can design exercises by combining simple games, concrete exercises and music.
An important check to assess how well an exercise is designed are three key metrics:
The time the children are moving - waiting times or queues should be avoided.
The number of different movements or trained aspects during the exercise
The increase in difficulty - children of different training levels are adequately supported.
Example - Learning the wheel:
Option 1 - A long line in which each child does a lap with their bike.
Time: Children waiting in line
Variance: A Movement
Improvement: none - for beginners: too difficult, for advanced: too boring.
Option 2 :
A game of catch is played with short pool noodles - everyone enjoys it
Who wants to catch? The one who makes the most effort does the cartwheel. You can choose between the small cartwheel, cartwheel with straight legs, with one hand, or without hands. This provides incentive and increases the difficulty.
The teacher makes music and sings a song about an animal - This creates a good atmosphere and conveys knowledge/culture
Whoever gets caught makes the corresponding animal figure - this brings additional variety to the movements during the exercise.
Which option would be more beneficial and more fun for your child?
Developmental phases and “children’s films”
An additional aspect that we became aware of in the seminar is the question: What “movie” are children in depending on their age?
Up to about 4 years – Narnia : Children are completely immersed in their fantasy world. Everything can be enchanted, every toy has a life of its own.
Up to about 6 years – Harry Potter : One foot in reality, one foot in fantasy. Magic and reality flow into each other, and children switch between the two in a flash.
Up to about 12 years – Superheroes : An understanding of roles, powers, and heroic figures is already there. Children want to prove their strength, display their abilities, and compete with others.
From approximately 12 years old – Icarus : Young people feel a longing to push boundaries, to soar high, and sometimes even take risks. They want to test how far they can go – and need clear guidance and responsible support to do so.
These images have helped us to understand which methods are appropriate for each age group : from the playful clown , who taps into the imagination of young children, to the drill sergeant , who offers older children structure, seriousness and a sporting challenge.
It's important to note that both roles—clown and drill sergeant—are tools that we can use situationally , depending on what the group needs at the time. No child should be permanently trained in a single method—the trick lies in being able to respond flexibly to the respective developmental phase and moment.
And of course, these images serve as guidelines for adapting the methodology to age-appropriate needs. Of course, children develop differently—the goal is to tailor the training to the group's current "movement," rather than rigidly adhering to age.
Equipment for creative children's training
A highlight of the seminar was the presentation of simple but extremely versatile materials that we will definitely incorporate into our own training:
Swimming noodles (shortened): as a reaction or catching game, for partner exercises, small fights, as a course obstacle or safe projectile
Balls: for coordination and catching games, rhythm exercises, partner tasks or as target objects in the course
Elastic bands: for resistance exercises, partner movements or playful strength and mobility tasks
These materials are inexpensive, safe, easy to transport – and open up countless possibilities for making Capoeira playful, varied, and child-friendly.
The Horror Hour - Applying What You Have Learned
Part of the seminar also focused on practicing how to deal with dangerous situations, including a child disrupting class, a child endangering themselves or others, a medical emergency... ideally all of them in sequence. It's important to recognize and address dangers early on, set boundaries, keep a cool head, and act appropriately and empathetically.
The exchange with other trainers
Another valuable aspect of this Capoeira seminar for us was the exchange with the other trainers . During breaks, group work, and shared reflections, we were able to compare experiences, discuss methods, and gain insight into different perspectives. Precisely because each trainer works with a different reality—be it in terms of age groups, training environment, or cultural background—such conversations generate new ideas, inspiration, and concrete solutions to challenges that we might not have recognized on our own. This dialogue on equal terms showed us that the quality of children's training is not driven solely by one person, but by collective development , which we will also continue within the group in Stuttgart.
Our personal conclusion
For us, this seminar was not just a training course, but a truly inspiring experience . We're leaving with fresh perspectives, clear concepts, and new ideas – and full of energy to implement what we've learned with our students. The exchange with other trainers, in particular, showed us that we are part of a larger movement that strengthens and advances one another.
Ultimately, the conclusion remains: children's training is far more than just a lesson—it's a contribution to the development of the next generation. Capoeira is a unique tool for this, one we can use responsibly, with joy, and creativity. We would also like to thank the organizers, Professor Vitrola (Gandia) and Licuri (Alicante) from the Capoeira school Faca de Ticum .
Axé,
Mestre Dedé & Professor Raj
Online course “PRO Certificação em Capoeira-Educação”
In parallel to the face-to-face seminar, we would like to point out Mestre Ferradura's online course “Curso PRO Certificação em Capoeira-Educação” .
In short: This course offers certified training for capoeira instructors with exclusive content, ongoing pedagogical support, live meetings, discussion groups, and teaching materials. The goal is to support instructors in developing high-quality, safe, and playful training for children.
Mestre Ferradura & IBCE
Master Omri Ferradura Breda is president of the Instituto Brasileiro de Capoeira-Educação (IBCE) , which uses capoeira as an educational tool for social transformation. With projects worldwide—from schools to social institutions—the IBCE connects capoeira with education, culture, and community .
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