De La Riva Guard

The De La Riva Guard is an open guard position commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It was named after its creator, Ricardo De La Riva, a black belt under Carlson Gracie. This guard position involves the use of a particular hook on the inside of the opponent’s leg, allowing the guard player to control and manipulate their opponent’s movements.

What is De La Riva Guard?

History of the De La Riva Guard

The De La Riva Guard was developed by Ricardo De La Riva, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who trained under the Carlson Gracie Academy. De La Riva was known for his innovative techniques and unique approach to the guard game. He developed this guard position as a way to control and attack opponents from the guard with increased efficiency and effectiveness.

How to use De La Riva Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

To play the De La Riva Guard, you need to establish a hook on the inside of your opponent’s leg using your own leg. This hook is commonly referred to as the De La Riva Hook. Once you have established this hook, you can use it to control your opponent’s movements and disrupt their balance. From this position, you can also launch various attacks and sweeps to effectively neutralize your opponent’s offense and turn the tide of the match in your favor.

Benefits of playing De La Riva Guard

Playing the De La Riva Guard offers several benefits to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. It provides excellent control over your opponent, allowing you to dictate the pace and flow of the match. Additionally, the De La Riva Guard opens up numerous attacking opportunities, making it a highly versatile guard position. It also requires your opponent to constantly be on their toes, effectively nullifying their ability to launch powerful attacks. Overall, the De La Riva Guard is an excellent strategy for those looking to take their guard game to the next level.

How to Play De La Riva Guard?

Basics of De La Riva Guard

The De La Riva Guard involves placing one foot on your opponent’s hip while the other leg hooks behind your opponent’s knee. This positioning allows you to control your opponent’s movements and disrupt their balance. From here, you can work on creating openings and launching your attacks.

Using the De La Riva Hook

The De La Riva Hook is a crucial element of playing the De La Riva Guard. It involves using your foot to establish a hook on the inside of your opponent’s leg, just above their knee. This hook allows you to control and off-balance your opponent, setting up sweeps and submissions.

Grips and Controls in De La Riva Guard

In addition to the De La Riva Hook, grips and controls play a significant role in the effectiveness of the guard. Gripping your opponent’s sleeve or collar can help you maintain control and prevent them from escaping or passing your guard. Additionally, controlling your opponent’s hips and maintaining proper distance is crucial for setting up attacks and maintaining control over the match.

Common Techniques from De La Riva Guard

De La Riva Guard Sweeps

There are numerous sweeps that can be executed from the De La Riva Guard. One common sweep is the “De La Riva Guard Pudding Sweep,” where you off-balance your opponent and sweep them to the side using the hook and your grips. Another effective sweep is the “Back Take from De La Riva Guard,” where you transition to the opponent’s back and secure a dominant position.

Ankle Locks from De La Riva Guard

In addition to sweeps, the De La Riva Guard offers opportunities for submission attacks. Ankle locks are a popular submission from this guard position. By controlling your opponent’s foot and applying pressure on their ankle, you can force them to submit or risk injury.

De La Riva Guard in Different Martial Arts

De La Riva Guard in Judo

The De La Riva Guard has made its way into Judo as well. Originally developed for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this guard position has been successfully adapted to Judo competitions. It offers a different approach to grips and throws, making it a valuable addition to a Judoka’s arsenal.

De La Riva Guard in MMA

The De La Riva Guard has also found its place in mixed martial arts (MMA). With its emphasis on control and versatility, the De La Riva Guard can be effectively used to neutralize an opponent’s ground and pound and set up submissions or sweeps.

De La Riva Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Its Evolution

The De La Riva Guard has become an essential part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and continues to evolve as new techniques and variations are developed. Many well-known BJJ practitioners have successfully utilized this guard position, including the legendary Royler Gracie. Today, it is considered a staple in the arsenal of any serious BJJ practitioner.

Tips and Tricks for Effective De La Riva Guard

Developing a Strong Guard Game

To effectively play the De La Riva Guard, it is essential to develop a strong guard game overall. This includes improving your guard retention, grip strength, and timing. Regular drilling and sparring can help you develop the necessary skills to excel in this guard position.

Using De La Riva Guard in Gi and No-Gi BJJ

The De La Riva Guard can be utilized both in gi and no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, certain grips and controls may differ between the two. Training in both gi and no-gi settings can help you become well-rounded in playing this guard position.

Submission Attacks from De La Riva Guard

The De La Riva Guard offers numerous submission opportunities. Apart from ankle locks, other submissions such as chokes and joint locks can be set up from this guard position. It is important to study and practice a variety of submissions to keep your opponent guessing and increase your chances of securing a victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is De La Riva Guard?

A: De La Riva Guard is a type of open guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that was named after Ricardo De La Riva, a BJJ legend. It involves hooking one of your legs around your opponent’s leg, while controlling their sleeve or ankle.

Q: How did De La Riva Guard originate?

A: De La Riva Guard originated in the 1980s when Ricardo De La Riva, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, developed this unique style of open guard. It has since become a popular and effective guard system in BJJ.

Q: What are the basics of De La Riva Guard?

A: The basics of De La Riva Guard include hooking your leg around your opponent’s leg, controlling their sleeve or ankle, and using various sweeps and transitions to off-balance and control your opponent.

Q: How can I use De La Riva Guard effectively in my BJJ game?

A: To use De La Riva Guard effectively, you need to develop a strong understanding of the guard system and practice the various sweeps, transitions, and submissions associated with it. Additionally, studying and learning from experienced practitioners like Caio Terra can greatly improve your skills in De La Riva Guard.

Q: Can De La Riva Guard be used in other martial arts besides BJJ?

A: While De La Riva Guard is primarily associated with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it can also be utilized in other grappling-oriented martial arts like Judo and MMA. Many techniques and concepts from De La Riva Guard can be adapted to fit different rule sets and situations.

Q: What are some common techniques from De La Riva Guard?

A: Some common techniques from De La Riva Guard include sweeps such as the “berimbolo” and the “pudding guard,” as well as submissions like the ankle lock. These techniques can be used to off-balance and control your opponent from the guard position.

Q: What are the advantages of using De La Riva Guard?

A: The advantages of using De La Riva Guard include increased control over your opponent, the ability to attack with sweeps and submissions, and the potential for back takes and reversals. It also allows for dynamic movement and creates opportunities to counter your opponent’s guard passes.

Q: How can I improve my De La Riva Guard game?

A: To improve your De La Riva Guard game, it is essential to drill the techniques and transitions regularly. Learning from experienced practitioners, studying instructional materials, and experimenting with different variations and setups can also help enhance your skills in De La Riva Guard.

Q: Are there any common guard passes used against De La Riva Guard?

A: Yes, there are several common guard passes used against De La Riva Guard. Some examples include the leg drag pass, knee slice pass, and torreando pass. Understanding these passes and how to defend against them is crucial for maintaining the De La Riva Guard position.

Q: How can I incorporate De La Riva Guard into my overall guard system?

A: De La Riva Guard can be a valuable addition to your overall guard system in BJJ. By understanding the concepts and techniques associated with De La Riva Guard, you can seamlessly transition between different types of guards and create a more well-rounded and dynamic guard game.