De La Riva Guard

The BJJ De La Riva Guard is a versatile and dynamic open guard position that has become a cornerstone of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Created by Ricardo de la Riva, this guard is characterized by its strategic use of hooks and grips to control the opponent’s legs and hips. Whether you’re looking to execute sweeps, set up submissions, or transition to other guards, this Guard is an essential tool for practitioners of all levels. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what the De La Riva Guard is, why it’s important, and how to effectively use it in your game.

What is the BJJ De La Riva Guard?

The De La Riva Guard is an open guard where one leg hooks around the outside of the opponent’s leg, while the other leg maintains control of their hip or thigh. The practitioner’s hands grip the opponent’s pants, ankle, or collar to enhance control and create leverage.

Key Features include:

1. Control and Balance Disruption: By using a hook on the opponent’s leg and strategic grips, the guard creates off-balancing opportunities.
2. Versatility: It allows for smooth transitions into sweeps, submissions, and other guard variations.
3. Adaptability: Effective against opponents of all sizes and especially useful against aggressive passers.

This Guard has become a staple in competition, with high-level practitioners using it to control and attack from the bottom.

Why is the BJJ De La Riva Guard Important?

The De La Riva Guard is a game-changer in BJJ because of its ability to neutralize opponents and create offensive opportunities:

• Neutralizes Pressure Passers: The hook and grips prevent opponents from easily advancing into dominant positions.
• Sets Up High-Percentage Sweeps: This guard is particularly effective for executing sweeps like the Balloon Sweep or Tripod Sweep.
• Facilitates Transitions: It is an excellent starting point for transitioning into guards like the X-Guard or Single-Leg X-Guard.
• Widely Applicable: It works well in both gi and no-gi settings, making it versatile for training and competition.

Who Is This Guard Recommended For?

The De La Riva Guard is a dynamic and versatile position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of practitioners. Here’s who benefits most from incorporating this guard into their game:

• Gi Practitioners: This guard shines in gi training due to the additional control provided by grips on the pants, collar, or sleeves. This makes it especially effective for practitioners looking to develop a technical and grip-heavy guard game.
• Flexible and Mobile Athletes: Athletes with good hip mobility and flexibility will find this guard particularly effective, as these attributes enhance the ability to adjust angles, maintain hooks, and execute sweeps or submissions.
• Lightweight and Smaller Practitioners: Smaller athletes benefit from the leverage and angles created by this guard, allowing them to neutralize larger or stronger opponents effectively.
• Guard Players: If you’re a guard player looking for a position that transitions seamlessly into advanced guards like X-Guard or Reverse De La Riva Guard, this is a must-learn technique.

Whether you’re a beginner exploring guard variations or an advanced competitor fine-tuning your game, the De La Riva Guard offers control, versatility, and offensive potential for all practitioners.

Step-by-Step Guide to the BJJ De La Riva Guard

Step 1: Establish the Hook

• Use your outside leg to hook around the opponent’s lead leg, placing your foot near their hip.
• Ensure the hook is tight, creating tension to control their movement.

Step 2: Secure Your Grips

• Grip the opponent’s pants at the ankle with one hand.
• With your other hand, grip their collar or sleeve for additional control and leverage.

Step 3: Maintain Proper Positioning

• Keep your hips active and off the mat to maintain mobility.
• Position your free leg on the opponent’s thigh or hip to create distance and control their posture.

Step 4: Execute Sweeps or Submissions

• Balloon Sweep: Use your grips and hook to lift the opponent, then rotate to sweep them to the mat.
• Back Take: Use the De La Riva hook to off-balance your opponent and transition to their back.
• Leg Locks: Transition into leg entanglements like Ashi Garami from the De La Riva Guard.

Step 5: Transition When Necessary

If your opponent counters your De La Riva Guard, transition smoothly into guards like the Reverse De La Riva or X-Guard to maintain control.

Common Mistakes in the BJJ De La Riva Guard

While this Guard is highly effective, there are common pitfalls that can compromise its effectiveness:

1. Weak Hook Control
   • Problem: A loose hook allows your opponent to step out and escape.
   • Solution: Keep your hook tight and engaged, actively applying pressure against their leg.
2. Poor Grip Management
   • Problem: Losing your grips makes it easier for your opponent to pass or counter.
   • Solution: Focus on securing strong grips on the pants, ankle, or collar and maintaining tension.
3. Static Hips
   • Problem: Staying flat on your back limits your mobility and offensive options.
   • Solution: Keep your hips active and mobile to create angles for attacks and sweeps.
4. Overcommitting to Sweeps
   • Problem: Attempting sweeps without proper setup can lead to counterattacks.
   • Solution: Ensure you’ve disrupted your opponent’s balance before committing to a sweep.

Drills to Improve Your De La Riva Guard

Incorporate these drills into your training routine to develop a strong and effective position:

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How the De La Riva Guard Fits Into Your Overall Game

This guard is not just a standalone position—it’s a gateway to advanced guard systems. By mastering this guard, you’ll improve your ability to control aggressive passers, launch offensive attacks, and transition seamlessly between positions.

Complementary Guards:

• X-Guard: Transition for advanced sweeps and leg locks.
• Spider Guard: Use this Guard to create angles for transitioning into Spider Guard setups.
• Butterfly Guard: Incorporate butterfly hooks to combine sweeps and leg entanglements.

Advanced Techniques

Back Take

This technique uses the De La Riva hook and grips to off-balance your opponent and create an angle for a back take. Key Details:

• Pull on the sleeve grip while extending your De La Riva hook to tilt your opponent forward.
• Use your free leg to swing around their far hip, transitioning to their back.
• Secure control with a seatbelt grip and hooks for dominant position.

This move exploits your opponent’s balance and often catches them off guard, leading to a dominant position.

Berimbolo

The Berimbolo is a flashy and effective technique that transitions from the De La Riva Guard into a back take or leg entanglement. Key details:

• Roll under your opponent’s base by inverting while maintaining strong grips.
• Use your De La Riva hook to keep their leg trapped and guide the rotation.
• Transition to their back or finish in a leg-dominant position like 50/50.

The Berimbolo is a high-reward move that transitions seamlessly into advanced offensive positions.

Reverse Sweep

Transitioning into the Reverse De La Riva Guard allows you to attack the opponent’s base from a new angle. Key details:

• Switch your hook from outside to inside their leg to establish Reverse De La Riva control.
• Off-balance your opponent with a sleeve and ankle grip while using your hook to sweep them to the side.
• Finish by transitioning to a dominant top position like side control or mount.

The reverse sweep combines unpredictability and control, making it difficult for opponents to counter.

Conclusion

The BJJ De La Riva Guard is a fundamental position that combines control, offense, and adaptability. By understanding its mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing key drills, you can make this guard a cornerstone of your BJJ game. Whether you’re defending against a pressure passer or setting up a submission, this guard provides endless possibilities for success.

Ready to take your game to the next level? Check out our other guides on advanced guard techniques. Happy training!