Berimbolo Guide: Back Take from De La Riva
The berimbolo is an inversion-based back take system developed by the Mendes brothers and popularized in competition BJJ. It revolutionized how guard players attack the back from bottom positions.
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The Core Concept
The berimbolo uses an inversion — rolling over one shoulder — to get underneath the opponent and attack their back. The key insight is that by going underneath rather than coming over the top, you can take the back against a standing or crouching opponent who would otherwise base out and resist traditional sweeps.
Starting Position: De La Riva Guard
The berimbolo typically starts from De La Riva guard with a shin-to-shin connection and sleeve control (in gi). The outside De La Riva hook (behind the opponent's lead leg) is the primary control point.
Entry Sequence
- Establish De La Riva hook and sleeve grip
- Use the sleeve grip to pull the opponent's arm across as you begin to invert
- Roll over the trapped-side shoulder (not the free shoulder)
- As you invert, the De La Riva hook lifts the opponent's leg across your body
- Complete the inversion to get your hips beneath the opponent
- Attack the back with hooks and seat belt grip
The Inversion Mechanics
The inversion is the most technically demanding part. The roll happens over the shoulder on the same side as the De La Riva hook. Many practitioners make the error of rolling over the wrong shoulder — this puts you in a bad position rather than under the opponent.
Back Take Finish
After the inversion, establish seat belt control and work to insert both hooks. The opponent will be facing away from you as you emerge from the inversion. Quick hook insertion before the opponent can re-orient is critical.
Defense Against Berimbolo
The primary defense is preventing the De La Riva hook from being established. If the hook is set, staying square (not allowing the angle change that enables the inversion) makes the berimbolo much harder. Torreando-style footwork to keep your base square is effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the berimbolo a high-percentage technique?
The berimbolo is high-percentage at high levels but requires significant practice to develop timing and inversion mechanics. It is more common in gi BJJ than no-gi and is associated with sport-specific competition styles.
How long does it take to learn the berimbolo?
The berimbolo is a purple-to-brown belt level technique. Most practitioners need 1-2 years of dedicated practice after learning De La Riva guard before the berimbolo becomes reliable in live rolling.