De La Riva Guard: From Basics to Advanced BJJ Mastery

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your bottom game, like you’re just surviving instead of attacking, then this guide is for you.

Today, we’re diving deep into one of the most creative, dynamic positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: the De La Riva guard.

And trust me, I didn’t always love this guard.

When I first tried it, I got passed in under three seconds. Twice. In front of my training partner and his dog.

But once I understood how it really works? Game changer.

Let’s break it down, from history to setup, sweeps to survival tips, so you can use the DLR with confidence, whether you’re in gi or no-gi, competition or self-defense.

What Is the De La Riva Guard?

The De La Riva guard (or DLR) is a type of open guard in BJJ where you hook your opponent’s leg from the outside while controlling their arm or collar.

It’s not just about holding someone back. It’s about pulling them off balance, like a judo trip, but from your back.

Imagine your leg is a fishing hook. You snag their leg, yank their posture forward, then sweep them like they’re biting bait.

Why does this matter?

Because unlike closed guard, where you’re hugging legs, DLR lets you control space, create angles, and launch attacks without giving up position.

And yes, it looks cool. But more importantly? It works.

The Origins and Evolution of the De La Riva Guard

This guard isn’t named after some ancient warrior or mythical move.

It’s named after a real guy: Ricardo “De La Riva” Almeida, a BJJ black belt under Royler Gracie.

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, Ricardo started using this foot hook during sparring in Rio de Janeiro.

He wasn’t trying to invent a new guard. He was just trying to stop a pass, and he found something that worked really well.

Soon, others noticed. Then top competitors started copying it.

Fast-forward to today: the DLR isn’t just a technique. It’s a foundation.

It helped give birth to modern guards like the berimbolo, reverse DLR, and even parts of the worm guard.

I remember watching Marcelo Garcia roll in 2007. Every time he swept someone with DLR, I paused the video and tried to copy it. Badly.

But that’s the beauty of this guard, it inspired a generation of innovators.

Anatomy of the De La Riva Guard: Position, Mechanics & Principles

So what makes the DLR work? Let’s break it down simply.

You’re on your back. Your opponent is standing or kneeling in your guard.

Your job? Hook their lead leg with your foot, usually behind the knee or calf, on the outside.

That’s your anchor.

Now, grab their opposite sleeve or collar with your hand. This creates tension across their body.

Think of it like tying a rope between two trees. Pull one side, and the whole thing leans.

Your free leg stays active, used for framing, blocking passes, or setting up sweeps.

The magic happens when you combine the hook and the grip. Together, they pull your opponent sideways and forward.

Suddenly, they’re not balanced. They’re wobbling. And that’s when you strike.

Core Principles of DLR: Leverage Over Strength

Here’s the secret: you don’t need to be strong to make DLR work.

You need timing, angles, and control.

BJJ is like chess. You don’t win by smashing pieces, you win by outsmarting your opponent.

Same here.

Instead of pushing or pulling hard, you let your opponent move into your trap.

Lean too far forward? I’ll sweep you. Step wide? I’ll roll through and take your back.

It’s not about power. It’s about precision.

Body Positioning: Where to Place Your Hips and Feet

Your hips are your engine. If they’re flat on the mat, you’re stuck.

Lift them slightly, just an inch, so you can shift weight and generate momentum.

Your DLR foot should be snug around their leg, but not locked up high on the thigh. That’s a common mistake.

Too high = easy to stack. Too loose = they step out.

Aim for the sweet spot: behind the knee, toes pointed inward to prevent slipping.

And keep your head up. Chin off the chest. Always ready to move.

Benefits and Strategic Advantages of Using DLR

Why bother learning DLR when you already know closed guard?

Because DLR gives you tools closed guard doesn’t.

• First, distance control. You can keep taller opponents at bay without getting smothered.
• Second, sweep variety. From DLR, you can hit multiple sweeps, some subtle, some explosive.
• Third, transitions. This guard links perfectly to X-guard, berimbolo, and back takes.

It’s like a highway interchange for your offense.

I used to rely only on butterfly guard. Solid, but predictable.

Once I added DLR, my opponents started hesitating. They didn’t know what was coming.

That hesitation? That’s victory waiting to happen.

Offensive Power: Sweeps, Submissions, and Chains

DLR isn’t just defensive. It’s a launching pad.

Every time you break your opponent’s posture, you open doors:

• Can you sweep them now?
• Can you set up an omoplata?
• Can you roll through and take their back?

The best part? These options flow together. Fail a sweep? Transition to a submission.

It keeps your opponent guessing, and reacting.

Defensive Utility: Stopping Passes Before They Start

Even if you don’t sweep, DLR slows down aggressive passers.

That outside hook blocks knee cuts and torreando passes.

And if they try to stack you? Use your free leg to frame and create space.

You’re not just surviving, you’re setting traps.

Versatility Across Gi, No-Gi, and Body Types

Worried you’re too short, too tall, or too stiff?

Don’t be.

I’m 5’9” with average flexibility. Not exactly built like Marcelo Garcia.

But DLR works because it uses mechanics, not genetics.

In gi? Use collar and sleeve grips.

No-gi? Switch to overhooks or wrist control.

Big guy on top? Use DLR to unbalance him.

Small guy defending? Use it to stay safe and counterattack.

It’s one of the few guards that scales well across sizes and styles.

How to Enter the De La Riva Guard: Setups & Transitions

Now let’s get practical. How do you actually get into DLR?

You don’t just throw your leg out and hope. There’s a method.

Start from a stable base, like closed guard or butterfly.

Break your opponent’s posture with a collar grip or push on the hip.

As they lean back or step forward, slide your foot around their lead leg.

Hook it before they reset.

Timing is everything.

Miss the window? Try again. I did, for months.

From Closed Guard to DLR: The Smooth Transition

Here’s my favorite entry:

From closed guard, break their posture by pulling the collar.

When they post their hand to stand up, extend that same-side leg and thread your foot behind their knee.

Snap your heel in tight. Grab the opposite sleeve.

Boom. You’re in DLR before they know what happened.

From Standing or Butterfly Guard: Catching the Leg

If they shoot a single-leg takedown, catch their lead leg and turn into DLR as you fall.

Or from butterfly guard, elevate them slightly, then insert your DLR hook as they step.

These entries take practice.

Drill them slowly at first. Speed comes later.

Avoiding Common Entry Mistakes

Biggest mistake? Reaching too far with your hooking leg.

That leaves your hips exposed and makes you easy to pass.

Keep your movement compact.

Another error: forgetting the grip.

No grip = no control.

Always secure your hand before committing to the sweep.

Offensive Techniques: Sweeps, Submissions & Attack Chains

You’re in De La Riva guard. Your foot is hooked. Your grip is tight.

Now what?

Now you attack.

DLR isn’t just about survival, it’s a launchpad for high-percentage sweeps and sneaky submissions.

And the best part? Many of these moves flow together. Miss one? Slide into the next.

No dead ends. Just options.

Core Sweeps from DLR: The Foundation of Your Game

Let’s start with the bread and butter.

These are the sweeps every DLR player must know.

They work in competition. They work in self-defense. And yes, they’ve worked for me after years of getting squashed first.

1. The Classic De La Riva Sweep

This is the original. The one that started it all.

Here’s how it works:

• Hook their lead leg from the outside.
• Grab their opposite sleeve.
• Use your free leg to post on the mat (tripod base).
• Pull their sleeve across your body while driving your DLR leg upward and inward.
• Roll them over like a log.

It feels like flipping a shopping cart, once they’re off balance, they go down hard.

Key tip: Don’t pull with your arm. Use your hips and leg to generate power.

I used to yank the sleeve too much and blow my posture. Now I let the mechanics do the work.

2. Reverse De La Riva Sweep

Same concept, but flipped.

Instead of hooking their front leg, you hook the back leg as they step forward.

Then sweep them in the opposite direction.

Great for when they circle away or try to pressure pass.

It caught me by surprise the first time I faced it. Now it’s one of my favorites.

Think of it like a boomerang, you set it up going one way, but it comes back around and hits them from behind.

3. Pendulum Sweep from DLR

This one looks flashy, but it’s built on solid physics.

You swing your legs like a pendulum while pulling their head across your body.

The DLR hook adds extra leverage, making it harder for them to resist.

Use it when they stand tall in your guard.

Just make sure your free leg clears their other leg, otherwise, you’ll kick them in the shin and look silly.

Been there. Done that.

4. Waiter Sweep (Tripod Sweep)

Also called the “waiter sweep” because you carry them like a tray.

From DLR:

• Post with both elbows and your free foot (tripod base).
• Load their weight onto your hips.
• Lift and roll them over using your hooking leg as a lever.

It’s slow and smooth, perfect for heavy opponents who think they’re safe.

Pro tip: Squeeze your knees together to trap their leg tighter.

Submission Opportunities from DLR

Sweeps are fun. But what if you want to finish?

Good news: DLR sets up several high-level submissions.

You don’t need to sweep first. Sometimes, the submission comes during the sweep attempt.

Omoplata: The Natural Follow-Up

When your opponent resists the classic DLR sweep by posting their hand, guess what?

You now have their arm isolated.

Slide your DLR leg over their shoulder.
Lock your hands.
Roll through into omoplata.

It’s like a trapdoor opening beneath them.

I’ve tapped purple belts this way, guys who thought they were defending perfectly.

The key? Stay calm. Don’t rush. Let them commit to the wrong move.

Triangle Choke Setup

Break their posture with your collar grip.
As they raise their head, shoot your free leg over their shoulder and under their neck.
Lock the triangle.

The DLR hook helps control their other arm, making it harder to escape.

Bonus: If they defend the choke, you can often transition to an armbar.

One setup. Two finishes.

That’s efficiency.

Back Takes via Berimbolo

This is advanced, but worth mentioning.

From DLR, you can initiate the berimbolo: a series of inversions that flip your opponent and land you on their back.

It starts with a lasso grip, then a quick roll using your DLR hook as a pivot.

Yes, it looks like gymnastics.
Yes, you’ll feel awkward at first.

But once you get it? Addictive.

I drilled this move for weeks before landing it live. When I finally did, I celebrated like I won Worlds.

Attack Chaining: Flow Like Water

BJJ isn’t about single moves. It’s about chains.

Think of your game like a playlist, not one song, but a sequence that keeps playing.

Example chain from DLR:

• Attempt classic sweep →
• Opponent posts hand →
• Switch to omoplata →
• They defend →
• Transition to triangle or armbar.

Or:

• Set up pendulum →
• They block →
• Switch to reverse DLR sweep →
• Roll through to back take.

The goal? Never stop moving. Keep them reacting.

That’s how beginners beat black belts.

Defensive Use & Guard Retention in DLR

So far, we’ve focused on offense.

But let’s be real, sometimes you’re not attacking. You’re surviving.

Maybe your opponent is big. Maybe they’re strong. Maybe they smell like old sweat and bad intentions.

How do you stay safe in DLR?

Simple: control, frame, and adapt.

Stopping Common Passes: Stack, Knee Cut, Torreando

Every pass has a counter. Here’s how to handle the big three.

Stack Pass Defense

They’re leaning hard into your chest, trying to flatten you?

Use your free leg to frame against their hip or knee.
Keep your DLR hook snug, don’t let them step over it.
Arch your hips slightly to create space.

If needed, disengage and reset to butterfly or closed guard.

Don’t ego-check. Survival comes before sweeping.

Knee Cut Counter

They’re stepping wide to cut your legs?

Block with your free foot between their legs.
Maintain your sleeve grip.
Use your DLR leg to push their knee outward.

If they persist, consider transitioning to X-guard instead.

Sometimes the best defense is switching games.

Torreando Pass Response

They’re circling around like a bullfighter?

Stay connected.
Use your DLR hook to drag their leg back in.
Post with your free hand and prevent the full circle.

Timing is key. React early, before they gain momentum.

When to Transition Out of DLR

Not every moment is the right moment for DLR.

If they’re stacking hard or pressing against the cage in MMA, it might be time to bail.

Smart players know when to fold ’em.

Options:

• Move to X-guard if they step forward.
• Switch to reverse DLR if they circle away.
• Bail to butterfly guard for recovery.

DLR is powerful, but only if you use it wisely.

De La Riva Guard vs. Other Guards: A Strategic Comparison

You’ve got options. So why choose DLR over other guards?

Let’s compare.

DLR vs. Spider Guard

Spider uses both feet inside, pushing on biceps and controlling sleeves.

DLR uses one external hook and one strong grip.

Spider is great for distance. DLR is better for angles and sweeps.

I use spider when I want to keep someone away.
I use DLR when I want to pull them down.

DLR vs. Butterfly Guard

Butterfly relies on underhooks and elevation.

It’s explosive but can be neutralized by pressure.

DLR gives more control over the standing opponent and opens more sweep options.

Many top players combine both, use butterfly to create space, then insert DLR hook.

Best of both worlds.

DLR vs. Lasso Guard

Lasso guard wraps the opponent’s arm or neck with your leg.

It controls posture well but can be stripped easily.

DLR and lasso often work together, like peanut butter and jelly.

Use DLR leg + lasso on the arm = instant berimbolo setup.

Synergy wins fights.

DLR vs. Worm Guard

Worm guard involves deep leg entanglement, often near the hips.

It thrives in tight spaces (like against the cage).

DLR needs room to operate. Worm doesn’t.

So if you’re pinned in the corner? Consider worm.
If you’ve got space? Go DLR.

Different tools for different jobs.

Advanced Concepts & Modern Applications

Now let’s level up.

These are the concepts that separate good grapplers from dangerous ones.

Berimbolo Integration: Rolling Into Dominance

“Berimbolo” means “scramble” in Portuguese, and that’s exactly what it feels like.

From DLR:

• Add a lasso grip on their arm or neck.
• Disengage your feet.
• Roll sideways, using your DLR leg as a lever.
• Flip them and take the back.

It takes coordination. It takes courage.

But once you land it, you’ll never look at guard the same way.

Start slow. Drill it with a partner. Fall a lot. Then succeed.

Leg Drag Setups from DLR

Use your DLR hook to initiate a backstep.

As they shift weight, pull their leg back and drag it across your body.

Now you’re in leg drag position, with control and sweep options.

This is gold against over-aggressive passers.

They come at you… and suddenly they’re on their back.

Poetic justice.

No-Gi and MMA Adaptations

No gi? No problem.

Without the collar and sleeve, focus on:

• Overhooks
• Underhooks
• Wrist control
• Head control

In MMA, DLR is riskier due to strikes, but still usable.

Use it briefly to create scrambles or stand up safely.

Never stay static. Always look to reverse or rise.

I once used DLR in a self-defense scenario (controlled environment, don’t worry).
Pulled the guy off balance, swept him, stood up.
Mission accomplished.

Common Mistakes & Misconceptions About DLR

Let’s clear the air.

There are myths floating around that hold people back.

Time to bust them.

Myth 1: “Only Flexible People Can Do DLR”

False.

I’m not flexible. My hamstrings scream during warm-ups.

But I use DLR daily because it’s about angles, not splits.

Yes, flexibility helps. But technique beats genetics every time.

Myth 2: “It’s Too Risky for Beginners”

Sure, if you treat it like a circus trick.

But taught properly? It’s safer than many guards.

You’re not exposing your back immediately.
You’re not gambling with reckless rolls.

Start slow. Drill entries. Build confidence.

Myth 3: “Modern Passing Killed DLR”

Watch IBJJF or ADCC matches.

Top black belts still use DLR, successfully.

Passing has evolved. So has DLR.

It’s not dead. It’s adapting.

Like water. Like Jiu-Jitsu.

Training Tips & Drills to Master the De La Riva Guard

Knowledge is power. Practice is mastery.

Here’s how to build DLR into your muscle memory.

Solo Drills: Build Strength and Mobility

• Hip escapes with DLR hook: Lie on your back, simulate the hook, and shrimp out. Builds awareness.
• Shadow sweeping: Pretend you’re rolling. Practice the motion slowly.
• Resistance bands: Loop one around your foot to strengthen your hook engagement.

Do these 5–10 minutes before class. Small gains add up.

Partner Drills: Learn Through Repetition

• Entry drill: Start in closed guard. Partner stands. Insert DLR hook 10x per side.
• Sweep repetition: Begin in DLR. Hit the same sweep 5 times with feedback.
• Positional sparring: Start in DLR. Goal: Sweep within 60 seconds. Reset and repeat.

These drills build speed, timing, and confidence.

Live Rolling Tips

Don’t wait for perfection.

Next time you roll:

• Try one DLR entry.
• Attempt one sweep.
• Even if you fail, you’re learning.

I failed hundreds of times before I landed my first clean DLR sweep.

Now I hit it regularly, because I kept showing up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Section)

Let’s answer the questions I hear most, from white belts to seasoned vets.

Q: What is the main purpose of the De La Riva guard?

To control, unbalance, sweep, and submit, while staying safe and mobile.

It’s not just a guard. It’s a system.

Q: Can beginners learn DLR safely?

Absolutely. Start with entries and basic sweeps. Drill slowly. Ask your coach for help.

You don’t need to do beribolos on day one.

Q: How does DLR differ from Spider or Butterfly guard?

• Spider: Pushes with both feet inside. Focus on distance.
• Butterfly: Elevates with hooks. Great for explosiveness.
• DLR: Uses one external hook. Best for angles and transitions.

Each has strengths. Combine them for maximum threat.

Q: Is DLR effective in competitions?

Yes. Top competitors at Worlds and ADCC still use it, especially in gi divisions.

It scores points, creates advantages, and leads to submissions.

Q: How long does it take to master DLR?

“Master” takes years. But you can become effective in 3–6 months with consistent drilling.

Focus on one sweep. Nail it. Then add more.

Q: Can you use DLR in no-gi?

Yes. Replace gi grips with overhooks, wrist control, or head pressure.

The foot hook works the same. Just adjust your upper-body control.

Q: DLR vs. Worm Guard, which is better?

Neither. They serve different purposes.

• DLR: Open space, dynamic movement.
• Worm: Tight quarters, deep control.

Many elite players use both. So should you.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Bottom Game with the De La Riva Guard

Look, I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a DLR expert.

I grew up wanting to survive five minutes without getting smashed.

But over time, I learned that position beats panic.

And the De La Riva guard? It’s one of the most intelligent, adaptable positions in all of BJJ.

It rewards smart players. Patient players. Creative players.

You don’t have to be the strongest. Or the fastest.

You just have to understand the mechanics and practice them relentlessly.

So here’s my challenge to you:

This week, drill one DLR entry and one sweep in every class.

Record yourself. Ask for feedback. Fail forward.

Because the mat doesn’t care about your rank. It only rewards effort.

And at Martial Boss, we’re here to help you put in that effort, with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Now go roll. And make Ricardo proud.