Capoeira Regional
Players and watchers come together in a Roda. The person who plays the Berimbau is either of a high rank or the Mestre (master), and is in charge of regulating the game. The Berimbau begins the rhythm and the other instruments join in as the audience claps. Once everyone is adjusted to the rhythm the Berimbau player starts singing. The crowd echoes the end of every stanza.
Two people from the crowd enter the Roda and meet in front of the Berimbau. Once everyone is ready the leader lowers the top of his Berimbau signalling to the players that they may start the Jogo (game). The players shake hands and begin entering the Roda. The common way of entering a Regional Roda is the Au, although later on people try to make more spectacular entrances (Au Sem Mão, Rolé-Macaco-Mortal other combinations, etc.).
In Regional kicks are executed mainly at chest/head level. Low kicks are usually counters or feints. If players go down to the ground, they try to get up again quickly. Being stationary is a bad idea in Regional, unless you can defend yourself from your position. Particular quick attacks like the Martelo or Parafuso are strictly Regional. The many creative acrobatic tricks such as the Mortal and Mariposa make Regional look very impressive to spectators but should be done with special caution as not to damage yourself or anyone else.
If a Capoeirista wants to buy into the game and replace a player, he/she should walk along the inner side of the circle up to the Berimbau and ask the leading Berimbau player via eye-contact if he/she can buy in or if he/she has to wait. Once the Mestre gives a sign of approval, the new player carefully approaches the two Capoeiristas and makes sure that he/she is seen by both of them (else one could easily get hit by flying limbs). The new player put his arm between the two and looks into the eyes of one of them, indicating that he wants to continue the game with him. The remaining Capoeirista quickly leaves the Roda avoiding any unwary flailing limbs. Alternatively a couple of new players can walk up to the Berimbau during a fight and crouch down there, waiting for the current game to end. During the game a way to catch your breath is to walk around the inside of the circle, then begin again at the foot of the Berimbau.