Also known as: DLR · De la Riva Hook · Jello Guard (historic)
The bottom player wraps one leg around the outside of the opponent’s lead leg, hooking behind their knee, usually with a grip on the far ankle or sleeve. Named for Ricardo De La Riva, it is the launch pad of the modern gi game — berimbolos, back takes, and off-balancing sweeps all live here.
Gi & No-gi · Category: Guards
What can you do from De La Riva Guard?
DLR player (positional score +1/10)
Sweeps
De La Riva Sweep — The first sweep of the DLR system: hook deep behind their lead knee, grab the far ankle, and steer them backward over their own heels.
Back Takes
Berimbolo — The move that defined a generation of gi grappling: from De La Riva with a belt grip, invert under your opponent, spin around their seated hips, and come up on their back.
Top player
This side of the position is about defending and rebuilding — see the escapes and transitions from the other role.