Reverse De La Riva Guard Top

Jan 23, 202613 min read

Reverse De La Riva Guard Top represents the passing perspective against one of modern BJJ’s most dynamic and versatile guard systems. The top player faces a bottom opponent who has established a reverse De La Riva hook—instep of one foot positioned behind the knee while the same-side hand controls the ankle—creating a complex entanglement that can lead to sweeps, back takes, or scrambles. The primary objective from top is to systematically dismantle the guard structure through proper base management, pressure distribution, and strategic movement while avoiding common traps like the kiss of the dragon sweep or berimbolo entries.

This position requires sophisticated understanding of weight distribution and base geometry, as the bottom player’s reverse De La Riva hook creates a lever system specifically designed to off-balance and invert the top player. Success from top position depends on maintaining connection to the mat through strategic posting, preventing the bottom player from getting underneath your center of gravity, and systematically removing the guard’s structural components in the correct order. The modern meta-game heavily emphasizes headquarters positioning, where the top player creates a mobile base that can apply pressure while remaining prepared to address dynamic guard retention attempts through backstepping and lateral movement.

The top player must navigate multiple decision points throughout the passing sequence: whether to engage in smash passing protocols that eliminate space, float passing methodologies that maintain distance and mobility, or leg drag systems that address the hook through lateral movement. Each pathway requires different pressure patterns and grip configurations. Understanding the relationship between the reverse De La Riva hook’s mechanical advantage and your own base positioning is crucial, as improper weight distribution leads directly to sweeps or scrambles where the bottom player can access back exposure opportunities. The position serves as a critical junction in modern guard passing sequences, particularly in no-gi competition where reverse De La Riva has become a foundational guard retention tool that connects to multiple defensive systems including X-Guard, Single Leg X, and leg entanglement positions.

Position Definition

  • Top player maintains standing or combat base position with at least one foot posted on the mat for structural stability, distributing weight to counter the reverse De La Riva hook’s sweeping vector and prevent elevation above bottom player’s center of gravity
  • Bottom player has established reverse De La Riva hook with instep of one foot positioned behind top player’s near-side knee, creating a lever system that connects through the ankle grip on the same side to generate rotational off-balancing pressure
  • Top player’s weight distribution must account for the reverse De La Riva hook’s pulling vector, requiring strategic posting on the hooking-side leg while keeping hips back to maintain balance and prevent inversion or kiss of the dragon entries
  • Bottom player’s far leg (non-hooking leg) typically posts on top player’s hip, bicep, or remains in space as a framing tool, creating distance management that prevents immediate smash passing and maintains guard structure
  • Top player’s grips focus on controlling bottom player’s pants at the knees or ankles, or establishing collar/cross-face controls to limit bottom player’s upper body mobility and inversion capacity while preparing passing sequences

Prerequisites

  • Bottom player has successfully established reverse De La Riva hook structure with proper ankle control and inverted hook configuration
  • Top player is in standing, combat base, or headquarters position with ability to maintain balance against the hook’s rotational leverage
  • Sufficient space exists between players to allow the reverse De La Riva hook mechanics to function without immediate passing pressure
  • Top player has not yet passed the guard or established dominant pressure positions like leg drag or knee slice consolidation
  • Bottom player maintains active guard retention with far leg posting and upper body positioning to prevent immediate passing opportunities

Key Offensive Principles

  • Maintain strategic base positioning with weight distributed to counter the reverse De La Riva hook’s sweeping vector, typically requiring posting on the hooking-side leg while keeping hips back to prevent forward elevation
  • Control the distance between your hips and bottom player’s hips to prevent them from getting underneath your center of gravity, which enables kiss of the dragon and berimbolo entries through inversion mechanics
  • Strip the reverse De La Riva hook methodically by attacking the ankle grip first, then addressing the hook itself through backstep, leg drag, or smash passing protocols that neutralize the rotational control
  • Establish headquarters position or similar mobile base that allows pressure application while maintaining readiness to address dynamic guard retention movements and inversion attempts
  • Use collar ties, cross-faces, or pants grips to limit bottom player’s ability to invert and access back exposure or leg entanglement transitions that capitalize on guard retention
  • Progress through passing stages systematically: neutralize the hook structure, establish control position (headquarters/leg drag), then complete the pass to side control or mount without allowing guard recovery
  • Recognize and defend common sweeps (kiss of the dragon, waiter sweep, berimbolo) by maintaining proper posture and weight distribution throughout the passing sequence, never allowing hips to drift forward

Available Attacks

RDLR Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Position

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Knee Slice Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Smash Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Toreando Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Back Step → Headquarters Position

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 80%

Long Step Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If bottom player maintains tight reverse De La Riva hook with strong ankle grip and active far leg framing that prevents immediate pressure:

If bottom player loses ankle grip but maintains reverse De La Riva hook structure with hip elevation:

If bottom player attempts inversion or berimbolo entry by rotating shoulders toward the mat:

If bottom player flattens out or loses far leg posting on hip or bicep:

If bottom player transitions to other guard variations like X-Guard or Single Leg X during guard retention:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Allowing hips to drift too far forward over bottom player’s center of gravity

  • ❌ Consequence: Bottom player can easily execute kiss of the dragon sweep or berimbolo entry by getting underneath your base and rotating you in a circular pattern, leading to back exposure or sweep completion.
  • ✅ Correction: Keep hips back with active posting on the hooking-side leg, maintaining distance between your center of gravity and bottom player’s hips. Think of your hips as staying ‘behind the line’ of their inverted hook throughout the passing sequence.

2. Pulling up on bottom player’s reverse De La Riva hook to remove it

  • ❌ Consequence: Creates elevation that assists bottom player’s sweeping mechanics and can lead to technical standup sweeps or inversion entries where they capitalize on your upward pulling force to generate momentum.
  • ✅ Correction: Address the ankle grip first through wrist control or grip breaks, then use backstep or lateral movement to neutralize the hook. Never fight the hook with vertical force; instead, remove its steering mechanism (the ankle grip) first.

3. Standing too upright with poor base width

  • ❌ Consequence: Provides unstable platform that bottom player can easily off-balance through reverse De La Riva hook leverage, making you vulnerable to sweeps and unable to maintain consistent pressure throughout the passing sequence.
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain wide base with strategic posting, keeping weight distributed to counter the hook’s sweeping vector. Your stance should be wide enough to prevent rotational off-balancing while maintaining mobility for passing movements.

4. Ignoring bottom player’s far leg (non-hooking leg) positioning

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows bottom player to maintain distance and create effective frames that prevent passing pressure, making it impossible to consolidate position or advance through passing stages without addressing this defensive structure.
  • ✅ Correction: Control the far leg through knee grips, push it across to create passing lanes, or pin it to prevent effective framing. The far leg control is equally important as dealing with the inverted hook for successful passing.

5. Attempting to pass directly into the reverse De La Riva hook without neutralizing it

  • ❌ Consequence: Bottom player maintains guard structure and can transition to other guards or sweep attempts, making your passing attempts predictable and easy to defend through guard retention protocols.
  • ✅ Correction: Use systematic hook removal through backstep, leg drag, or smash passing protocols before attempting final passing sequences. Never skip the hook neutralization stage—it’s a prerequisite for successful passing.

6. Over-committing to one passing direction without reading bottom player’s adjustments

  • ❌ Consequence: Bottom player can anticipate and counter your passing attempts through guard retention or transition to other guards, making your passing one-dimensional and easy to defend at higher skill levels.
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain mobile headquarters position with ability to switch passing directions based on bottom player’s reactions. Your passing should be a conversation where you respond to their defensive adjustments with appropriate counters.

7. Neglecting upper body control (collar ties, cross-face) while focusing only on leg positioning

  • ❌ Consequence: Bottom player can freely invert, access back exposure, or create scramble situations where their mobility advantage becomes significant, often leading to sweep or back-take opportunities.
  • ✅ Correction: Establish upper body controls early to limit bottom player’s inversion capacity while addressing lower body entanglements. The upper body control prevents the dynamic movements that make RDLR dangerous for the top player.

Training Drills for Attacks

Reverse De La Riva Hook Removal Flow Drill

Bottom player establishes reverse De La Riva guard with proper hook and ankle grip. Top player practices systematic hook removal through backstep, grip breaking, and lateral movement without allowing bottom player to sweep or invert. Progress through 5 repetitions each side, focusing on maintaining balance and proper base throughout the sequence. Bottom player provides 50% resistance initially, increasing to 75% as top player develops timing and recognition of weight distribution patterns.

Duration: 10 minutes total, alternating roles every 5 minutes

Headquarters to Pass Progression

Start from reverse De La Riva guard top position. Top player must achieve headquarters position first, then choose one of three passing pathways: leg drag, knee slice, or smash pass based on bottom player’s defensive reactions. Bottom player actively attempts guard retention using reverse De La Riva hook, far leg frames, and inversion attempts. Reset when pass is completed or bottom player successfully sweeps. Perform 10 total repetitions alternating between passing options to develop decision-making under pressure.

Duration: 15 minutes continuous with brief resets

Inversion Defense Positioning Drill

Bottom player establishes reverse De La Riva guard and actively attempts berimbolo or kiss of the dragon entries at 75% intensity. Top player focuses solely on maintaining proper base positioning, hip distance, and backstep timing to prevent successful inversion. No passing attempts in this drill—emphasis is entirely on defensive positioning and weight distribution. Perform 3-minute rounds with active bottom player, resetting to reverse De La Riva after each successful defense or when top player’s positioning breaks down.

Duration: 3 rounds of 3 minutes with 1-minute rest

Grip Fighting and Ankle Control Drill

Isolated drill focusing exclusively on the battle for ankle control in reverse De La Riva guard. Bottom player attempts to maintain ankle grip while top player uses wrist control, grip breaks, and hand fighting to remove it. Once ankle grip is broken, immediately reset to reverse De La Riva with grip established. Perform 2-minute rounds focusing on hand speed, grip strength, and strategic grip placement. Track successful grip breaks per round to measure improvement.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes alternating roles

Dynamic Passing Against Multiple Guard Transitions

Bottom player can transition freely between reverse De La Riva, X-Guard, Single Leg X, and De La Riva variations based on top player’s passing attempts. Top player must recognize each guard variation, apply appropriate passing pressure, and complete passes despite guard transitions that simulate high-level guard retention. This drill develops pattern recognition and adaptive passing strategies essential for competition. Perform 5-minute rounds with goal of completing 3-5 passes per round while maintaining technical precision.

Duration: 3 rounds of 5 minutes with 2-minute rest

Optimal Submission Paths

Passing to Side Control Submission Path

Reverse De La Riva Guard Top → Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Position → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control

Backstep to Mount Submission Path

Reverse De La Riva Guard Top → Back Step → Headquarters Position → Knee Slice Pass → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Smash Pass to North-South Path

Reverse De La Riva Guard Top → Smash Pass → Side Control → North-South → North-South Choke

Toreando to Mount Path

Reverse De La Riva Guard Top → Toreando Pass → Side Control → Transition to Mount → Mount → Americana from Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner45%35%15%
Intermediate65%55%25%
Advanced80%70%40%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds for experienced passers, 2-3 minutes for beginners

  • Reverse De La Riva Guard Bottom - Complementary perspective - bottom player’s offensive guard position
  • De La Riva Guard - Related guard position - similar passing challenges with different hook orientation
  • Headquarters Position - Transition target - intermediate control position during passing sequence
  • Leg Drag Position - Transition target - primary passing destination from RDLR top
  • Single Leg X-Guard - Related position - common guard transition from reverse De La Riva that requires recognition
  • X-Guard - Related position - similar guard passing challenge with hook systems
  • RDLR Pass - Primary technique - specialized passing sequence for this position
  • Back Step - Primary technique - essential counter to inversion attempts and berimbolo entries
  • Berimbolo Entry - Defensive threat - bottom player’s primary back-take system to defend against
  • Guard Passing Principles - Conceptual foundation - fundamental passing theory applicable to RDLR scenarios
  • Pressure Passing - Conceptual foundation - passing methodology applicable to smash passing from RDLR
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