Official Regulations

Organization Overview

Pau Brasil is the official governing body responsible for the creation, administration, and regulation of the Pau Brasil National and International Capoeira Championship. The organization leverages sport as a transformative vehicle for:

• Education and youth development
• Health and physical well-being
• Social integration and inclusion
• Cultural exchange and international diplomacy
• Professional development for athletes and mestres
• Elevation of Brazilian cultural heritage
• Establishment of capoeira as a high-performance competitive sport
• Generation of sustainable economic opportunity for mestres, athletes, and communities
• Creation of a structured professionalization pathway — transforming amateur capoeiristas into recognized semi-professional and professional competitors on a world stage

Pau Brasil is committed to preserving the cultural roots of capoeira while advancing its national and international profile through a structured professional framework.

Championship Scope & Goals

The Pau Brasil Championship will be held across all 26 states of Brazil plus the Federal District, with subsequent expansion to an international circuit and a Pau Brasil World Championship.

Core objectives include:

• Promote capoeira practice for educational purposes
• Develop capoeira as a high-performance competitive discipline
• Identify and elevate professional-caliber athletes
• Discover emerging talent across all regions
• Foster athletes as disciplined, autonomous, and civic-minded individuals
• Honor and elevate Brazilian mestres on the national and international stage
• Create sustainable livelihood opportunities for mestres, athletes, and participants through professional capoeira
• Establish a clear competitive pathway from amateur to semi-professional to professional status, recognized nationally and internationally
• Promote Brazilian culture on a global scale

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Official registration on the Pau Brasil platform
• Payment of applicable registration fee
• Mandatory execution of the liability waiver
• Demonstrated physical fitness for competition

Affiliation & Registration Options

Competitors may register under one of two affiliation statuses:

• Affiliated — registered under a designated mestre, professor, or recognized group or organization
• Independent — registered as an individual competitor with no group, mestre, or organizational affiliation

Both statuses are fully valid for competition purposes. Affiliation status affects prize-sharing obligations under Section XVI.

Official Competitive Divisions

• Jogo / Luta — individual competitive play
• Music — bands of minimum 6 and up to 10 members. The minimum lineup must include the 6 core capoeira bateria instruments: 3 berimbaus, 1 atabaque, 1 pandeiro, and 1 agogô. Additional members (up to the 10-player maximum) are at the band's discretion, with composition to be defined in event-specific regulations

Additional Participation Notes

• Women may compete in the Music division
• Organizing mestres are also eligible to compete
• Each affiliated athlete may officially represent only one group, mestre, or organization at a time
• The 5 organizing mestres per state must each represent distinct groups, organizations, or lineages — no two may share the same group or be under the same mestre, ensuring diversity, impartiality, and regional representation

Jogo / Luta Division

For the inaugural season, all competitors in the Jogo division will be classified by the following criteria:

• Gender
• Weight class (defined per event regulations)

Age-based divisions (youth, junior, senior) are not in effect for the inaugural season. Pau Brasil reserves the right to introduce age brackets in future seasons as the competition circuit matures.

Elimination Format

Pau Brasil championship competitions follow an Olympic single-elimination format:

• Competitors are drawn by lot for the first round; subsequent matchups are determined automatically
• Each round eliminates 50% of competitors until 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place are determined
• No competitor may receive an automatic bye more than once in the same competition
• In the event of double disqualification, the competitor in the following round advances automatically

Music Division

Bands compete as a unit and must field a minimum of 6 members covering the core capoeira bateria: 3 berimbaus, 1 atabaque, 1 pandeiro, and 1 agogô. Bands may expand up to a maximum of 10 members; the composition of the additional 4 slots will be defined in event-specific regulations. Bands are assessed as a unit by a dedicated panel; full judging criteria are defined in the event-specific regulations for each state playoff and the national final.

State-Level Structure

Each participating state will be organized under the following framework:

• 5 officially appointed organizing mestres per state
• Defined playoff timeline (dates to be confirmed per event)
• Active pursuit of public and private sponsorships
• Financial support available to athletes without independent means

Organizing mestre benefits

Pau Brasil recognizes the essential role of mestres in every state and commits to the following benefits for each organizing mestre:

• Monthly stipend throughout the playoff period
• Full travel coverage
• Accommodation provided
• Meals covered during event activities
• Invitation to the National Final in São Paulo
• International opportunities: workshops, seminars, and the World Championship

Match Structure

All adult Jogo division matches consist of 2-minute rounds. The number of rounds varies by competition level:

• State Playoffs & Qualifier Events — best of 3 rounds (2 minutes each). The competitor who wins the majority of rounds (2 of 3) advances.
• National Final & International Competitions — best of 5 rounds (2 minutes each). The competitor who wins the majority of rounds (3 of 5) advances.
• A 1-minute rest period is observed between each round
• Because an odd number of rounds is always played, there are no draws — a majority winner is always determined
• The winner of each round is declared immediately following judges' deliberation

Referee Authority During the Match

The central referee has full authority to manage the flow of the match, including:

• Calling Volta ao Mundo at any point — competitors walk the roda boundary to reset the game; this time does not count toward the round clock
• Stopping the match for medical attention, uniform adjustment, or disciplinary action
• Resuming play with the command "Ação!" following any interruption

Competition area — the roda

• The competition area (roda) must be clearly marked with a boundary line
• Minimum roda diameter: 4.5 meters
• The roda must be covered with padded mats with a minimum density of 200 kg/m³
• Mat surfaces must be non-slip, kept taut and firm, and sanitized after each roda
• No advertising materials or equipment may be placed within 1 meter of judges, the bateria, or competitors
• The Referee Panel must be positioned at least 4 meters from the roda, facing it directly
• The central referee is positioned between the two competitors, facing the judges, and is free to move within the roda
• Timekeepers are stationed outside the roda boundary
• Team directors and coaches must remain seated in their designated areas outside the competition zone

All Pau Brasil competitions must be accompanied by a live bateria. The following minimum and maximum compositions apply:

Minimum bateria (6 players)

• 3 berimbaus
• 1 atabaque
• 1 pandeiro
• 1 agogô

Maximum bateria (10 players)

Up to 4 additional members may be added beyond the minimum 6. The composition of additional positions will be defined in event-specific regulations for each competition.

Toque & Performance Standards

The toque (rhythm) played during all Pau Brasil competitions is São Bento Grande de Bimba — cadenciado. A designated bateria leader is appointed in advance and is responsible for coordination, timing, and overall performance quality. The bateria must be positioned at the top center of the competition area, with a minimum 2-meter safety zone between the bateria and the roda boundary.

Mandatory Ginga Requirement

The ginga (continuous foundational movement) is the cornerstone of all Pau Brasil competition. All offensive and defensive actions must flow from continuous ginga. Athletes who pause exclusively to wait for a counter-attack, or who engage in passive play, may be subject to penalty at the discretion of officials.

Criteria for Victory

Matches are decided by the judges' scoring panel based on technical superiority. In the event of a tied score, the vote of the Judge responsible for Desequilibrantes is decisive; if still tied, the Judge responsible for Golpes de Linha casts the deciding vote.

Expressly Prohibited Conduct

• Intentional or unintentional knockout
• Excessive violence
• Any action that distorts or dishonors the character of capoeira
• Inactivity for 10 consecutive seconds
• Performing Volta ao Mundo during active competition time
• Excessive ginga without executing techniques (ginga repeated more than 3 consecutive times without action)

The following techniques are permitted in competition when executed with proper technique and control:

Ginga & Defensive Movement

• All types and variations of Ginga — fist use during ginga or any strike is prohibited
• Esquiva, Pêndulo, Puxeta, Cocorinha, Queda de Quarto (all types and variations)

Ground Movement

• Decida Trocando, Negativa, Rolê, Passada para as Costas, Passada para Frente, Passada Lateral (all types and variations)

Spinning Techniques (Golpes Rodados)

• Meia-lua de Frente, Queixada, Meia-lua de Compasso, Armada (all types and variations)

Linear Strikes (Golpes de Linha)

• Martelo, Bênção, Chapa, Gancho, Escorpião, Pisão, Vôo-do-Morcego, Cabeçada no Corpo (all types and variations)

Acrobatics (Floreios)

• Aú, Bananeira, Beija-Flor, Pião de Mão, Pião de Cabeça, Relógio, Macaco, S-Dobrado, Saltos, Queda de Rins (all types and variations)

Takedowns (Desequilibrantes)

• Rasteira, Vingativa, Tesoura, Banda, Arrastão, Cruz, Boca de Calça (all types and variations)

The following are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action:

Prohibited Strikes

• Punches (socos)
• Elbow strikes (cotoveladas)
• Open-palm strikes (palma / galopante)
• Godeme (backhand strike)
• Choking or strangling techniques
• Headbutts to the face or traumatizing headbutts
• Kicks to the face (ponteira no rosto)
• Groin strikes
• Dangerous knee strikes (joelhadas)
• Stomping on the knee
• Scissors applied to the neck area (body scissors are permitted)
• Eye gouges or finger attacks to the eyes
• Hair pulling
• Biting or scratching
• Kicks to grounded supporting arms or hands
• Arm sweeps (rasteiras nos braços)
• Dangerous grabs or clinches
• Slam or head projection throws
• Any technique delivered with intent to cause serious injury

Prohibited Conduct

• Attacking during vulnerable acrobatic sequences (floreios)
• Attacks during unsafe transitional positions
• Deliberate uniform disarrangement
• Feigning or exaggerating injury
• Leaving the roda without authorization from the central referee
• Any form of external interference by coaches or team members

Panel Composition

Each match is evaluated by a panel of 5 judges. Each judge has a designated scoring role. The competitor who accumulates the most points across all judges at the end of a round is declared the winner of that round.

Judge Responsibilities & Scoring

Tiebreaker Protocol

In the event of a tied score within a single round:

• The vote of Judge 5 (Desequilibrantes) is applied first as the deciding factor
• If still tied, the vote of Judge 3 (Golpes de Linha) is applied

Because matches are always played over an odd number of rounds (3 or 5), an overall match winner is always determined by round majority — no overall draw is possible.

Referee Panel Certification

Only individuals who have completed the Pau Brasil Official Referee Training and hold a valid Pau Brasil Referee License may serve on the judging panel at official events. A minimum panel for each roda consists of 5 judges, 1 central referee, and 1 timekeeper.

Athlete Health Responsibility

By registering for any Pau Brasil event, each competitor accepts full personal responsibility for their physical condition and releases Pau Brasil from any legal liability arising from injury, loss, or damage sustained during competition.

Pre-Competition Medical Requirements

• Each registered athlete must have undergone a medical examination prior to the event
• Groups and organizing mestres must certify that their athletes are physically and mentally fit to compete
• Female competitors must not be pregnant at the time of competition
• Competitors under 18 are ineligible; all competitors must provide proof of age at credentialing
• Valid health and life insurance is required for all participants at international events

On-Site Medical Protocols

• Each event must have at least one qualified medical professional on site throughout competition
• The central referee stops the match and calls the medical team by raising a hand and calling "Médico" whenever a competitor sustains an injury requiring attention
• Medical attention may be provided at the edge of the competition area for up to 3 minutes
• If medical treatment exceeds 3 minutes, the head referee — in consultation with the medical team — will decide whether to extend the timeout or suspend the competitor's participation
• If a competitor is transported to a medical facility, all associated medical costs are the responsibility of the competitor or their affiliated organization

Injury Rulings

• If a competitor is declared medically unable to continue, their opponent is declared the winner of that match
• If both competitors are simultaneously declared unable to continue, the competitor with the higher accumulated score at that point is declared the winner
• A competitor who wins a match by injury disqualification may not compete again in that event without written medical clearance from the competition physician and approval of the head referee
• Any competitor found to be feigning or exaggerating an injury will be removed from the competition area, examined by the medical commission, and is subject to suspension or disqualification
• All injuries, treatments, and medical interventions must be recorded in the competitor's official monitoring card

Sanctionable Infractions

• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Disrespect toward referees, mestres, or the organization
• Document fraud or misrepresentation
• Creating disorder at event venues
• Excessive violence or intent to injure
• Match-fixing or manipulation of results
• Unjustified abandonment of competition
• Discrimination of any kind — racial, ethnic, gender, religious, or political
• Any form of physical, professional, or sexual harassment

Penalty Progression

• Verbal warning
• Yellow card — two yellow cards in the same competition result in automatic disqualification
• Red card — immediate disqualification from the competition
• Point deduction
• Suspension from current or future events
• Disqualification — all results, titles, prizes, and medals from that event are forfeited
• Permanent ban from Pau Brasil events

Filing a Protest

A protest may be filed when there is a clear violation of competition rules or a dispute arising from a referee decision during a match. The following conditions apply:

• Only designated delegates, group representatives, or mestres may file a formal protest
• Protests must be submitted to the Appeals Jury before the start of the next competitor's match — protests filed after this point will not be accepted
• General or vague grievances are not accepted as valid protests — the burden of proof rests with the filing party

Review Process

• The head referee must address all protests promptly and with minimum delay to competition flow
• The Appeals Jury reviews the protest, examines all available evidence, and may review video footage and interview officials
• Conflict resolution is determined by vote among the assigned judges; in the event of a tie, the head referee's vote is decisive
• If a protest is upheld, the Appeals Jury may void results, reverse decisions, or order matches to be replayed — reversal of an elimination result is the last resort
• The Appeals Jury may also impose sanctions on referees whose conduct is found to be contrary to the rules

Protest Limits & Finality

• If a competitor's protest is rejected twice in the same competition (or three times for national teams), they forfeit the right to file further protests in that event
• All decisions of the Appeals Jury are final and binding
• A formal report must be prepared by the head referee and submitted to Pau Brasil administration following any protest

Pau Brasil is committed to fair and clean competition. All forms of doping are strictly prohibited at every level of competition.

Policy Framework

• Pau Brasil adopts the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) World Anti-Doping Code as the governing authority for its anti-doping policy
• All prohibited substances and methods defined in the current WADA Prohibited List apply to Pau Brasil events
• Anti-doping testing may be conducted at any official Pau Brasil competition at the discretion of the organizing committee

Sanctions for Violations

• Athletes who test positive for prohibited substances will be immediately disqualified from the event
• All results, titles, prizes, and medals from the affected competition are forfeited
• Provisional suspension may be imposed pending a full investigation
• Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, a prohibition from future events may be imposed
• Final determinations on sanctions are made by the Pau Brasil Anti-Doping Commission in accordance with the WADA Code

National Final — São Paulo

Jogo / Luta Division:

• 5 National Champions crowned across eligible categories
• Prize: R$ 50,000 per category

Music Division:

• State-qualifying finalist bands advance to the national final
• Official prizes awarded per musical division (amounts to be announced)

Mestre stipend obligation

Where an athlete is registered under a mestre or group affiliation, the following obligations apply:

• 10% of any national prize must be remitted to the affiliated mestre
• Regular stipend obligations to the mestre must be maintained throughout the season

National champions, winning musical bands, and organizing mestres may be invited to represent Pau Brasil on the international stage through the following channels:

• International representation of the Pau Brasil brand and mission
• Delivery of workshops and masterclasses
• Participation in international seminars and cultural events
• Promotion of Brazilian culture and capoeira heritage worldwide
• Competition in the Pau Brasil World Championship

Technique · Discipline · Culture · Respect · Leadership · Legacy