https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujsEtwPDgh0
Thesoura was another of the low weapons of the original Capoeira Carioca. It was different from modern Capoeira tesouras; what they have in common is that they both scissor the opponent with both legs.
(The final part of Thesoura; an article from 1929)
It is used as a quick takedown against opponent's guard.
The opponent stands in front of you. Equip Snake and LightLegs mechanics, keeping your legs apart; then quickly jump forward with both feet, clasping opponent's legs from the outsides with your legs; as you land on your hands. You must hit opponent's lower legs from the sides, just below his knees.
This is a high-energy point("Hiii!"). If you use the shout and hit the correct spots, this applies a nerve strangle (and quite strong one, as it hits two nerve spots at once). This makes opponent dizzy and weak; and unbalances him to his rear, setting him up for the finish.
Slide down opponent's legs and cross your feet.
Now, push off your hands, so that you slide backwards; landing on your elbows. This is a high-energy point("Ha!").
It pulls opponent's legs forward, so that he falls on his back.
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Notes:
- The key to Thesoura is the nerve strangle; if you do not apply it, the final pull is impossible to execute. It makes the technique very powerfull, as the opponent simply cannot resist.
- You must use LightLegs and the shout "Hiii!" as you clasp his calves; otherwise, you do not apply the nerve strangle and must throw the opponent by muscling him sideways (see the final note).
- As noted, Thesoura is a guard breaker.
- The LightLegs are necessary for the nerve strangle to work.
- Unlike modern tesouras, this one takes both legs and squeezes them together; as it enters from the front.
- Also unlike modern tesouras, this technique pulls away from the opponent as it takes him down; instead of pressing into him.
- Also unlike modern tesouras, this technique has the opponent falling backward; so he cannot stab you with an edged weapon as you take him down.
- Do not be worried that you will not be able to clasp opponent's legs together; the nerve strangle robs him of all his power.
- This technique was probably also called 'Rasteira de arranque' or 'Tesoura' (Coelho Netto, 1928)
- The fall itself looks pretty mild; however, the final position of Thesoura allows you to very quickly apply an organ crusher.
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Thesoura finish:
If you are like me, you are probably wondering: How do you finish the opponent from the low position? You cannot stomp on him or fall on him, as in bandas (see Banda de frente for details).
Here, you use a different trick: After taking the opponent down, quickly sit up and swing both feet in curves outward, inward and down, smashing opponent's groin area with both heels at once(heels together). This is a high-energy point("Hey!"); the effect is an organ crusher (bladder).
This can cause serious injury to the opponent.
I guess it was this powerful finish that made Thesoura a popular weapon.
(If you are wondering why I do not show this finish in the video - well, this is because I want to give such gems only to the people that really look for them, reading these descriptions in detail.)
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Burlamaqui's Thesoura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMnGo-XVzM4
Burlamaqui(1928) describes similar type of tesoura; he also catches both legs as described above but he has you take the opponent down by pulling and twisting sideways. This is a degeneration of the proper technique, described above - this Thesoura is not knife-proof and does not allow the groin-smashing finish.
This Thesoura is a bit more similar to the modern tesouras (especially the small Tesoura de frente).
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