THE WHAT:
The Chapéu de Couro is drawn from the world of the dance-fight art of Capoeira. Translated as “leather hat,” it is originally a diagonally upward-travelling kick that carries different stories regarding its subcultural etymology - some say the kick takes a trajectory that could knock a leather hat from one’s head; others say its upward crescent motion resembles a leather hat thrown spinning onto a stand. Here, however, the kick is generalised as a ground acrobatic pattern abstracted from its combative origin. The practice centres on applying the explosive hip-thrust (XHT) as a core movement synergy, using rotational entry and powerful hip extension to develop the movement progressively toward fuller overhead expression.

A key requirement is FULL expression of the “open hip” in the driving leg (opposite the support arm), and the ability to organise force through the hips as the engine of the movement. The practitioner enters through a hooked starting form, organised either via a Box-turn entry from squat or from a quadrupedal “box” (or Bear) position. From here, rotational momentum is carried into a contralateral XHT, with the hooked leg acting like a trigger released, setting the movement trajectory, as the second leg trails like a tail.

Resource contents:
0:04 - Entrance break-down (box-turn & hip-open)
0:28 - The take-off
0:40 - Chapéu de Couro
1:11 - Bear-crawl - Box-turn - Chapéu de Couro (closed-chain sequence)

THE HOW:
In the ENTRANCE & BREAKDOWN, focus first on establishing the zero-point “hook” position, with weight over the BALL of the foot to create an upright vertical axis, while calibrating the weight shift into the support arm. From here, the free arm - followed by the eyes - sets the trajectory of the movement: higher gradient = higher trajectory, lower gradient = lower trajectory. Where needed, practise a controlled opening of the hip in the “thrust” leg (opposite the support arm) into MAXIMAL extension, initially supported by the hook leg on the floor, then removing it to enter through only a 2-point contralateral table form.

In THE TAKE-OFF, practice the isolated Box-turn entrance and drive the XHT into a sideways/upward diagonal trajectory led by the arm, landing on the kicking hook-leg with control and a light touch. Ensure weight PASSES OVER the support arm - the sensation should be less a forceful whip and more a “float” over the arm. Adjust hand placement to find an optimal position: too far behind or too far to the side and the form overstretches, making support difficult to organise; too close and the pattern cannot reach its full expression. Less power may be used while building confidence in the full Chapéu, provided it is still matched by FULL opening through the hips in the XHT.

In the CLOSED CHAIN SEQUENCE (CCS - where patterns feed back into themselves indefinitely), the potential to enter the Chapéu from a quadrupedal form through the Box-turn transition is realised. Ensure movement remains continuous, the Chapéu is performed with control and grace, and momentum carries directly back into the Bear-crawl. Anticipate the quadrupedal shape and feel your structure TRANSFORM into it as you arrive.

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