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
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:
- Execute Back Step → Headquarters Position (Probability: 70%)
- Execute RDLR Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
If bottom player loses ankle grip but maintains reverse De La Riva hook structure with hip elevation:
- Execute Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
If bottom player attempts inversion or berimbolo entry by rotating shoulders toward the mat:
- Execute Back Step → Headquarters Position (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Bodylock Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
If bottom player flattens out or loses far leg posting on hip or bicep:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
If bottom player transitions to other guard variations like X-Guard or Single Leg X during guard retention:
- Execute X Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Your opponent establishes a tight RDLR hook with strong ankle control and begins elevating their hips—what is your immediate priority? A: Your immediate priority is to address the ankle grip before attempting any other action. The ankle grip is the steering mechanism that controls the direction of the hook’s rotational force. By breaking or controlling their wrist first, you neutralize their ability to direct sweeping momentum. Simultaneously, keep your hips back and widen your base to prevent them from getting underneath your center of gravity. Never attempt to strip the hook with vertical force, as this feeds directly into their sweeping mechanics.
Q2: What are the essential grips and contact points for maintaining a stable passing position against RDLR? A: Essential grips include control of the far hip or pants to prevent rotation, collar or cross-face control to limit their upper body mobility and inversion capacity, and grip on their far leg (knee or ankle) to prevent effective framing. Your feet should maintain a wide base with posting on the hooking-side leg. The combination of upper body control and lower body management creates a unified system that prevents them from generating the rotational momentum needed for sweeps or back takes.
Q3: How do you shut down berimbolo entries when the bottom player begins rotating their shoulders toward the mat? A: When you recognize shoulder rotation indicating berimbolo entry, immediately backstep your hooked leg while driving your chest forward and down toward their hips. This removes the space they need to complete the inversion while maintaining pressure. Your far hip grip becomes critical—use it to turn their hips away from you, preventing them from completing the rotation underneath. If they’ve already committed deeply, consider transitioning to a bodylock where you wrap their torso and drive them flat, eliminating their rotational capacity entirely.
Q4: What weight distribution adjustments prevent the waiter sweep when the bottom player drives forward pressure? A: Against forward pressure indicating waiter sweep setup, shift your weight backward by sitting your hips back while maintaining chest connection forward. This creates a counterbalance where your center of gravity stays behind the line of their hook rather than drifting over it. Widen your base laterally and post strongly on your near-side leg. If they commit heavily to the forward drive, use their momentum against them by backstepping and circling to leg drag position, converting their offensive pressure into your passing opportunity.
Q5: Your base gets compromised and the bottom player begins getting underneath you—how do you recover? A: If your base is compromised and they’re getting underneath, immediately disengage rather than fighting from a losing position. Release your grips and backstep completely away from the guard, resetting to standing position. Attempting to maintain base once they have elevation advantage typically results in completed sweeps. After resetting, re-engage with proper headquarters positioning, addressing the ankle grip first before attempting to pass. This tactical retreat preserves position rather than giving up back exposure or completing a sweep for your opponent.
Q6: How should you manage energy when passing RDLR against an opponent with superior hip mobility? A: Against mobile opponents, avoid extended grip fighting exchanges at the hook level where their hip mobility gives them advantage. Instead, focus on systematic progression: establish upper body control first (collar tie or cross-face) to limit their inversion capacity before addressing the hook. Use pressure passing methodologies that keep them flat rather than float passing that allows hip elevation. Accept that you may need multiple passing attempts, maintaining headquarters position between attempts rather than forcing single committed passes that can be countered by their mobility.
Q7: The bottom player successfully transitions to X-Guard during your pass attempt—what immediate adjustments are required? A: Upon X-Guard transition, your priorities shift immediately: extract your trapped leg by stepping back forcefully while posting your free leg wide for base. Do not attempt to continue the original passing trajectory. Control their far leg (the one elevating your hip) by gripping the ankle and pushing it down toward the mat. Establish upper body control through collar or shoulder pressure to prevent them from generating sweeping momentum. From there, you can attempt long step passing around their X-Guard structure or backstep to reset to headquarters position against a less developed guard.
Q8: What visual and tactile cues indicate the bottom player is about to attempt kiss of the dragon? A: Visual cues include their head beginning to lower toward the mat, shoulders rotating toward you, and hips elevating higher than their normal guard position. Tactile cues include increased pulling pressure on your hooked leg toward their centerline, their far leg releasing its posting position to prepare for the roll, and a shift in their grip from ankle control to deeper hip or belt control. When you feel them loading your weight forward while their hips elevate, this indicates imminent kiss of the dragon entry. Immediate backstep and hip distance are required to prevent the technique.
Success Rates and Statistics
| Metric | Rate |
|---|---|
| Retention Rate | 72% |
| Advancement Probability | 62% |
| Submission Probability | 32% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds for experienced passers, 2-3 minutes for beginners