Get ready to level up! Our UCA rank system is based on the Confederação Brasileira de Capoeira system, using the colors of the Brazilian flag. The more advanced your skills, the closer you get to the white center!

For our students (or Alunos), we have three main levels: Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced, each with their own intermediary ranks to show progress. Starting with the green "Verde" cordão, Novice level students should know the basic foundations of Capoeira. Moving up to yellow "Amarelo", Intermediate students show continuing appreciation for the game and themselves with a basic understanding of Capoeira movements. Advanced students with blue "Azul" cordão, may also earn the title of "monitor" as they learn to teach and incorporate a variety of advanced movements and take-downs.

For those who have proven their commitment to the art of Capoeira, the Professor level allows for leading one's own school and setting an example for others to follow. And for the most advanced, the Contramestre and Mestre levels are still works in progress - stay tuned for more!

At UCA, we adhere to the Confederação Brasileira de Capoeira (Brazilian Capoeira Confederation) system, which is the most widely recognized system. This system is based on the colors of the Brazilian flag, with the lowest ranks associated with the outermost regions of the flag (green) and the highest ranks associated with the innermost regions of the flag (white).

Alunos (Students)

The rank of student has three main levels: novice, intermediate, and advanced. There are also several intermediary ranks between each of these stages, designated to show a student's progress towards the next stage in their training. This is typically indicated through a combination of colors designated to each main stage, with each becoming more challenging as the student progresses.

Beginner (~6months +)

Calouro (White), Level I has no cordão or a cordão blanco, up 6 months of training White cordão signifies that rather than being seen as inexperienced, capoeirista are seen as being full of growth potential.

Level II (~1 year +)

Green or "Verde" is the first cordão given to the student when initiated or baptized into the world of Capoeira. Verde is expected to know the basic foundations of capoeira.

Level III, (~ 2 years to 3 years)

Verde/Amarelo begins to gain an understanding of the game and is expected to have a understand for most basic movements of capoeira, along with how to sing some songs and play instruments.

Level IV, (~ 3 years to 4.5 years)
Amarelo is continuing to appreciate more about Capoeira, the game and themselves. Amarelo should demonstrate a basic understanding of the capoeira game and capoeirista is expected to know all basic and some advanced movements.

Level V, (~5 years to 5.5 years)
Azul/Verde is considered Intermediate/advanced level as confident and ready; undoubtedly, he/she has earned the title ‘Capoeirista’. The student’s commitment begins to extend beyond that of simply training for themselves as he/she looks for ways to contribute to the group. When a capeiristas reaches Cordao Azul and higher, a capoeirista assessments expand to include their devotion to the group and their ability to help other capoeiristas and help teach class. For this reason, it is difficult to surmise the exact amount of time it will take capoeristas to move from one level to the next.”

Level VI, (~ 6 years to 7 years)
Azul/Amarelo‘s focus is on refining their technique, game skills and in obtaining total musical confidence. When this status is reached, capoeirista assessments expand to include their devotion to the group and their ability to help other capoeiristas and help teach class. The Capoeirista, by this stage, has shown enough dedication, commitment, understanding and skill within the world of Capoeira, that he/she begins to embark on a new phase; that of an instructor.

Level VIII (Professor)
ProfessoreAzul/Amarelo/Verde signifyies the experience and commitment of the student and all the levels that have been surpassed. The capoeirstas at this level have proven themselves as skilled martial artistist and teacher. They are regarded highly in the community because of the progress and devotion to capoeria.

Level IX(Contramestre & Mestre)

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UCA Rank System