De La Riva

The De La Riva guard is a highly versatile Open Guard variation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is named after Ricardo de la Riva, who popularized the position. The guard involves hooking one leg around the outside of the opponent's leg while controlling their posture using grips on their sleeves, lapel, or pant legs. This guard is particularly effective against standing opponents and offers a wide range of attacks, sweeps, and transitions.

Key Features of De La Riva Guard

Hooks

  • One leg wraps around the outside of the opponent's leg, with the hook established behind their thigh or knee.
  • The other foot is often posted on the opponent’s hip or thigh to manage distance and create leverage.

Grips

Distance Management

  • The De La Riva guard excels at managing distance by using the legs and grips to control the opponent’s ability to close in or pass.

Angle Creation

  • Angles are key in the De La Riva guard, as shifting your hips or rotating can destabilize the opponent and open opportunities for sweeps or submissions.

Common Attacks and Techniques from De La Riva

Sweeps

  • De la Riva Sweep: Use the hook and grips to off-balance your opponent and sweep them to the mat.
  • Tripod Sweep: Combine a hook with a grip on the ankle and a push on the hip to knock the opponent backward.
  • Balloon Sweep: Elevate your opponent by pulling them over your head using grips and leg momentum.
  • Sickle Sweep: Trap their leg and push or pull to destabilize and sweep.

Submissions

  • Triangle Choke: Transition to Triangle Choke by isolating one arm and bringing your legs around their neck.
  • Armbar: Use grips and angles to isolate the opponent’s arm for an attack.
  • Omoplata: Exploit their forward pressure to set up a shoulder lock.

Transitions

  • Transition to Single-Leg X Guard by bringing your non-hooking leg under their thigh and establishing control.
  • Transition to X Guard for more sweeping options and tighter control.
  • Transition to Closed Guard if you need to consolidate control or reset your position.

Defending Against De La Riva Guard

Grip Breaking

  • Break their Hooks and grips to reduce their control.

Pressure Passing

Leg Pummeling

  • Free your leg by circling your foot inside or stepping back to disengage.

Tips for Effective De La Riva Guard

  • Focus on grip fighting to maintain control and set up sweeps or submissions.
  • Adjust your hip movement to create angles for attacks.
  • Use your frames and hooks to control the opponent’s posture and prevent their guard passes.

The De La Riva guard is a dynamic and strategic tool that connects seamlessly with other guard systems, making it a staple for advanced guard players.

Advancing De La Riva

The De La Riva guard provides a comprehensive toolkit for offensive and defensive options, allowing for fluid connections to other guards, sweeps, and submissions. It is ideal for controlling standing opponents and initiating transitions to dominant positions.

Transitions from De La Riva

To Single-Leg X Guard

  • Elevate your hips, bring your non-hooking leg under their thigh, and secure their ankle with your other foot on their hip.

To X Guard

  • Adjust your grips and hooks, bringing both legs under their body for tighter control and sweeping options.

To Closed Guard

  • Release the hook, pull with your grips, and use your legs to draw the opponent into your Closed Guard.

To Reverse De La Riva

  • Spin your hips inward and hook the other leg to switch sides and maintain control.

To Open Guard Variations

Submissions from De La Riva

Triangle Choke

  • Break their posture by pulling their arm into the guard and locking your legs around their neck.

Armbar

  • Use your grips and hooks to isolate their arm, then pivot your hips for the armbar.

Omoplata

  • Use your hook to off-balance them, then attack the shoulder lock by wrapping your leg over their arm.

Straight Ankle Lock

  • Transition to a leg entanglement and apply the Straight Ankle Lock using your grips and hooks to secure their leg.

Kneebar

  • Pull their leg into extension while controlling their posture and gripping their ankle.

Sweeps from De La Riva

De La Riva Sweep

  • Use the hook to off-balance their leg while pulling with a grip on their ankle or collar to topple them.

Tripod Sweep

  • Secure grips on their ankle and lapel, push with your foot on their hip, and pull to sweep them backward.

Sickle Sweep

  • Combine pulling on their ankle with pushing their other leg out to destabilize them and come on top.

Balloon Sweep

  • Elevate them using your hooks and grips, pulling them forward and over your head to sweep.

Back Take Sweep

  • Use your hook and grips to rotate under them and take their back.

Passes to Counter De La Riva Guard

Toreando Pass

  • Grip their pant legs, circle around their hooks, and pass to Side Control.

Guard Passes/Knee Cut Pass

  • Clear their hook, pin their leg, and drive your knee across their thigh while controlling their grips.

Over-Under Pass

  • Use your shoulder to pin their hips, lift their legs, and pass by applying pressure.

Backstep Pass

Smash Pass

  • Flatten their hips by pinning their legs together, then transition around their guard.

Takedowns from De La Riva

Trip from De La Riva Hook

  • Use your hook to lift their leg while sweeping their base leg with your other foot.

Pull to Sweep

Ankle Pick from De La Riva

  • Control their ankle with one hand, grip their collar with the other, and pull them forward into the takedown.

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