The Razorwire blog describes the following sequence as a basic of modern capoeira. A capoeirista executes a high kick (although he shouldn’t) and his opponent counters him by dodging and at the same time executing a rasteira. The first-mentioned capoeirista prevents his fall by executing an aú directly from his high kick posture.

I somehow didn’t learn this sequence in my own training. I know the aú as a technique to the purpose to escape from leg-scissors and, if you are skilled, to avoid getting hit by a kick to your mid-section or your thigh. I admit that you shouldn’t just do the capoeira basic dodged rasteira. The capoeira answer to such an attempt is to step on your stretched leg. This can easily result in a severe injury. So you really can execute the rasteira only during moments, when your opponent is unable to step on your stretched leg. Your opponent’s high kick is such an opportunity if you’re much faster than I am.

Of the three techniques of this alleged basic sequence, I’m able to do none. I grew too old for a high kick. The other two techniques require a speed and a dexterity, which I never had. So how could this (unlike the real capoeira or capoeiragem) be a martial art suitable for self-defense?