📍 Positions

What is De La Riva Guard in BJJ?

Also known as: DLR

Quick Definition

An open guard hooking around the outside of your opponent's lead leg.

Full Explanation

De La Riva guard (DLR) is named after Ricardo De La Riva who popularized it. You hook your outside leg around your opponent's lead leg from the outside, with your foot behind their knee. Combined with sleeve or ankle grips, it allows powerful sweeps and back takes. It's the foundation of the modern guard game and leads to berimbolo attacks. Reverse De La Riva hooks from the inside.

Examples in Context

"He played De La Riva and kept off-balancing me"

"DLR to berimbolo is my A-game"

Related Terms

Open Guard

Any guard position where your legs are not closed around your opponent.

Berimbolo

An inverted spinning back take popularized by the Mendes Brothers.

Reverse De La Riva Guard

A guard hooking the inside of the opponent's lead leg from the inside.

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