Become Fighter
De La Riva guard: the concept: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
A hook on the outside of their leg that lets you control their base.
De La Riva, or DLR, guard hooks the outside of their lead leg with your same-side foot. It lets you turn their hip and kick their base out, so they fall or you can stand up.
This lesson covers the concept and the basic grips. It is a tool for the open-guard player, and to use it well you need to move your hips and feet constantly.
Key points
- Hook the outside of their lead leg with your foot behind the knee.
- Hold their ankle or trouser with one hand and the sleeve with the other.
- Your other foot pushes their hip or sits across their thigh.
- Keep your hips off the floor so you can move round.
- The hook turns their leg out and breaks their balance.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Hooking too low. Put the foot behind the knee. A low hook slips.
- Pushing and pulling at the same speed. Time the push with the pull, and use the moment they step.
- Lying flat. Stay on your side with your hips active. Flat means passed.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Open guard module of Jiu-jitsu foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Open guard
- Butterfly guard and the hook sweep: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Open guard sweeps: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Guard retention and recovery: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.