Berimbolo

Also known as: Bolo · Berimbulo · Birimbolo · Baby Bolo (variation)

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.

Back Take · Gi only · Difficulty 5/5 · Usually learned at Purple belt

Starts from De La Riva Guard as the dlr player → lands in Back Control.

The details that make it work

1. Deep DLR hook plus a belt or far-lapel grip; break them to a seated position over your hook.
2. Invert UNDER their hips — the roll follows their center of gravity, never away from it.
3. The grip keeps them from standing as you spin; finish by climbing the back as your hooks replace the inversion.

Where it goes wrong

• Inverting without the belt/lapel grip, letting them simply stand up and walk away from the spin.
• Chasing the inversion as the goal — it is transportation for your hips, nothing more.

How opponents counter it

• Kill the DLR hook before the sit-down
• Backstep or cartwheel over the inversion
• Leg drag the free leg mid-spin

Is the Berimbolo legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

History & naming

Named by Samuel Braga; taken to world-title dominance by the Mendes brothers and the Miyao brothers in the 2000s–2010s.

Related techniques

• Kiss of the Dragon
• De La Riva Sweep
• Leg Drag
• Back Take from Turtle

All moves from De La Riva Guard · Back to Grapplepedia