Raiz Breakdown - What You Need to Know!

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The Raiz (pronounced either rise, raze, or high-eeze) is a skill that originates from the Brazilian art of Capoeira. In tricking, the Raiz is often used as a setup, but is also a very important prerequisite for moves such as Sideswipe, Touchdown Raiz, Cheat 720 Twist etc.

Like all tricks, there are many different ways you can execute the Raiz depending on the function. A high, floaty Raiz should be approached differently from a low, fast Raiz. This post will cover the low, fast Raiz which is most optimal for swinging out of and developing power.

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1. The Step

Focus on stepping your foot towards your DOM (direction of motion) as much as possible. Your success in this will depend on your hip and hamstring flexibility, but generally the more forward that foot is facing, the more backwards your heel can drive, which will result in more inversion.

In addition, try to step close to, or even behind your other foot. This allows for a full heel drive and frontswing.

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2. Heel Drive

Drive that heel behind you all the way back to the floor. It's like an aerial. Don't stop pulling once you've hit the peak of your Raiz. You want to kick all the way until you land. When you kick, focus on engaging your glutes and hamstring of the kicking leg, not just the heel.

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3. Arm Circle

Your arms should be swinging equal and opposite from each other on the same circular plane and axis that your leg is kicking.

Pull your left arm in sync with your left leg while throwing your right arm over your head towards the opposite hip (for left twisters).

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4. The Spot

Try to spot the ground in front of you the entire time. Your body should flip around that spot. You might lose the spot for a split second, but try to maintain eye-contact with the floor for as long as possible.