BJJ De La Riva Guard: Complete Guide to Entries and Attacks

🌊 BJJ De La Riva Guard Guide

De la Riva hook, grips, sweeps, berimbolo entries and submission setups.

Contents

De La Riva Guard Fundamentals

De la Riva guard (DLR) was developed by Ricardo De La Riva and became one of the most influential guards in competitive BJJ. It is the gateway to the berimbolo, supine leg lock entries, and numerous sweeps against a standing opponent.

De La Riva Hook Details

Your lead leg wraps around their near leg — your leg goes in front of their shin and behind their calf
Keep the hook active (pointing your foot outward creates tighter control)
Standard grips: sleeve + ankle, or belt + ankle for gi; ankle + ankle or wrist + ankle for no-gi

De La Riva Sweeps

Sweep	Setup	Key Action
Flower Sweep	DLR hook + ankle grip	Off-balance to DLR side, roll up
Push Sweep	DLR hook + far ankle	Push their hips forward, follow through
SLX Entry	DLR, sit up	Convert to single leg X for leg attacks

💡 Pro Tip: The de la Riva hook is only as good as your grips. Without sleeve or ankle control, they can simply step over your hook. Fight for the secondary grip before using the hook to sweep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is de la Riva guard?

De la Riva guard (DLR) is an open guard where your lead leg hooks around the outside of your opponent's lead leg (wrapping around the front and back). The DLR hook controls their base and opens transitions to sweeps, the berimbolo, and back takes.

What are the best sweeps from de la Riva?

The flower sweep (off-balance to the DLR side, roll up), the push sweep (DLR hook + ankle grip, push them forward), and the sit up sweep (use the hook to load their weight, sit up into single leg) are the main DLR sweeps.

How do I enter the berimbolo from de la Riva?

From DLR with far ankle grip, pull the ankle across to your centerline while inverting toward your inside shoulder. Roll under their hips, use the momentum to emerge on their back. This requires practice inverting slowly first.

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Common Mistakes in De La Riva Guard

Losing Hip Position

One of the most common errors is allowing the hips to flatten to the mat, which eliminates frames and makes sweeps ineffective. Keep active hip engagement at all times.

Neglecting Grip Fighting

Grips are the foundation of guard work. Failing to break or establish grips early puts you at a structural disadvantage before any technique begins.

Telegraphing Attacks

Pausing before initiating sweeps or submissions signals your opponent. Combine setups and attacks in smooth, continuous motion.

Ignoring Posture Breaking

Allowing your partner to establish a strong, upright posture neutralizes most guard attacks. Prioritize posture disruption with collar, sleeve, or wrist control.