The corrida is divided in three tercios (stages) and two suertes (parts): capote –when the bullfighter uses the capote (cape)- and muleta (a scarlet cloth folded over a wooden stick). The first tercio is called varas (Pikes), the second banderillas (Little Harpoons) and the third muerte (Death). After the second tercio, the matador will switch from the suerte de capote to the suerte de muleta.
The beginning time of the corrida will be determined by the intensity of sunlight. In Spain normally corridas begin at 5 pm in March and since then they are systematically postponed until 7 pm, which is the normal beginning time in August. In autumn, they usually begin at 6 pm. The bullring will confirm the time of each show two weeks before.
The duration of a normal corrida ranges from one hour and a half to two hours and a half.
Exceptionally it can last more than that if the number of sobreros (extra bulls) is unusually large. The average length of a faena (work with one bull) is around 20 minutes. The seats cannot be accessed or left during the faena. Spectators must wait until the break time.
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