Mikey Musumeci Berimbolo System is a advanced difficulty Attack System system. Integrates 5 components.
System ID: System Type: Attack System Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is Mikey Musumeci Berimbolo System?
The Mikey Musumeci Berimbolo System represents one of the most technically sophisticated guard systems in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Built around the berimbolo movement from De La Riva and Reverse De La Riva positions, this system creates a seamless connection between guard retention, sweeping, and back-taking. Unlike traditional berimbolo approaches that rely purely on speed and athleticism, Musumeci’s methodology emphasizes precise technical execution, grip management, and systematic problem-solving. The system functions as a complete attacking framework where every defensive response from the opponent opens a new offensive pathway. At its core, the system uses the berimbolo as both a sweeping mechanism and a direct route to back control, while simultaneously providing multiple backup options including X-Guard entries, single leg attacks, and kiss of the dragon variations. What distinguishes this system is its emphasis on control and technical precision over explosive movement, making it accessible to practitioners who prioritize technique over raw athleticism.
Core Principles
- Grip control hierarchy - establishing and maintaining critical grips on collar, sleeve, and pant leg before initiating movement
- Hip positioning and angle creation - using precise hip placement to create the geometric angles necessary for berimbolo entries
- Weight distribution manipulation - controlling opponent’s base through strategic pulling and lifting to create off-balancing opportunities
- Sequential problem-solving - having predetermined answers for each common defensive response
- Rhythm and timing variations - mixing tempos to prevent opponent from establishing defensive timing
- Connection maintenance - never fully releasing control during transitions between positions
- Technical precision over speed - prioritizing correct mechanical execution rather than explosive movement
Key Components
De La Riva Control Fundamentals (Creates the control platform from which all berimbolo entries and variations originate) Establishing and maintaining optimal De La Riva position with emphasis on collar grip, sleeve control, and proper hook placement. The foundation includes understanding weight distribution, hip angles, and distance management that make berimbolo entries mechanically efficient rather than athletically demanding.
Berimbolo Entry Mechanics (Primary mechanism for transitioning from guard to back control or superior positions) The core inverted rotation movement that takes the practitioner from De La Riva guard underneath the opponent’s hips to emerge behind them. Includes proper grip sequencing, hip insertion timing, and the critical shoulder roll that generates rotational momentum without requiring explosive power. Technical execution focuses on creating space through opponent’s base disruption rather than forcing movement.
Back Take Completion System (Converts berimbolo movement into scoring positions and submission opportunities) Systematic approach to establishing back control from berimbolo positions, including seat belt grip establishment, hook insertion sequences, and methods for dealing with common defensive frames. Emphasizes control consolidation before pursuing submissions, ensuring positional dominance is fully secured.
X-Guard Backup System (Provides high-percentage alternatives when primary berimbolo pathway is blocked) Integrated X-Guard and Single Leg X-Guard positions that serve as alternative pathways when berimbolo is defended. Includes technical transitions between DLR, X-Guard, and berimbolo positions based on opponent reactions. These positions provide sweeping options and maintain offensive pressure when direct back-taking is unavailable.
Kiss of the Dragon Variation (Creates safety valve and position recovery when berimbolo attempts are defended) Technical rolling movement used when opponent establishes strong base or counters the standard berimbolo. Involves controlled backward roll while maintaining pants grip, emerging on top in favorable passing positions or returning to guard with improved angles. Serves as both escape mechanism and position improvement tool.
Implementation Sequence
- Guard Establishment and Grip Control: Begin from open guard by establishing De La Riva hook on opponent’s lead leg while securing collar grip with opposite hand and sleeve or pants grip with DLR-side hand. Focus on creating optimal distance and hip angle before attempting any movement. Key points:
- Collar grip should be deep, controlling opponent’s posture
- DLR hook must be active, not passive weight
- Hip positioning creates angle for future rotation
- Distance prevents opponent from consolidating pressure passing
- Base Disruption and Angle Creation: Use collar and sleeve grips to break opponent’s posture forward while simultaneously elevating their base leg with the DLR hook. This creates the off-balance state necessary for berimbolo entry. Focus on making opponent heavy on their hands rather than trying to force immediate rotation. Key points:
- Pull collar grip down and across opponent’s centerline
- Elevate DLR hook while extending own hips away
- Create diagonal weight distribution in opponent
- Wait for opponent’s weight commitment before rotating
- Berimbolo Initiation: Once opponent is off-balanced, insert outside shoulder underneath their hips while maintaining grip control. Begin controlled rotation by pulling collar grip toward your opposite hip while using DLR hook to guide opponent’s base. The movement should feel like rolling under a closing door, not forcing through resistance. Key points:
- Shoulder insertion timing is critical - too early meets resistance
- Keep head tucked throughout rotation
- Maintain constant tension on grips
- Hip movement guides the rotation, not arm strength
- Back Exposure and Control Establishment: Complete the rotation to emerge behind opponent’s hips. Immediately establish first hook while maintaining upper body control through collar or lat grip. Focus on controlling opponent’s hip movement to prevent them from turning back toward you. Second hook insertion follows once first hook is secured. Key points:
- First hook prevents opponent from sitting back
- Upper body grip controls rotation
- Hip pressure prevents escape to turtle
- Systematic hook insertion, never rushing
- Decision Tree Implementation: If berimbolo is blocked, smoothly transition to backup systems based on opponent’s specific defense. Heavy base defense leads to X-Guard transition. Forward pressure defense opens kiss of the dragon. Grip stripping attempts trigger re-guard to DLR with improved angle. Each defensive pattern has predetermined technical response. Key points:
- Recognize defensive pattern early in sequence
- Maintain control throughout transition
- Backup systems flow naturally from primary attempt
- Never force technique against strong defense
- Position Consolidation and Offensive Development: Once back control or sweep is achieved, systematically consolidate position before pursuing submissions. Establish seat belt control, insert both hooks securely, and address any defensive frames. Only after position is fully controlled should submission attempts begin, following systematic sequences rather than random attacks. Key points:
- Position before submission philosophy
- Systematic control point establishment
- Address defensive frames methodically
- Submission chains follow positional dominance
How to Measure Your Progress
Berimbolo Entry Success Rate: Percentage of attempted berimolos that successfully reach back exposure or back control position. Tracks technical execution quality and timing recognition against resisting opponents. Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: 20-30% success rate in drilling, struggles against resistance
- Intermediate: 40-60% success rate in training, occasional success in competition
- Advanced: 70%+ success rate in training, reliable competition execution
- Expert: 80%+ success rate including against berimbolo-aware opponents
Grip Retention Under Pressure: Ability to maintain critical collar and sleeve grips throughout opponent’s defensive movements and grip breaking attempts. Fundamental to system success as grip loss typically results in position loss. Proficiency indicators:
- Can maintain grips against static resistance for 30+ seconds
- Retains grips during dynamic movement and opponent grip breaks
- Recovers grips quickly when broken, maintaining system pressure
- Grips are automatic and require minimal conscious attention
Backup System Integration: Smoothness and success of transitions to X-Guard, kiss of the dragon, or other alternatives when primary berimbolo is defended. Measures system completeness and problem-solving ability. Proficiency indicators:
- Recognizes when berimbolo is blocked and stops forcing technique
- Can transition to one backup system with conscious thought
- Flows automatically between berimbolo and 2-3 backup options
- Seamlessly chains multiple systems based on opponent reactions
Back Control Consolidation Efficiency: Time and technical precision required to establish full back control with seat belt and both hooks after completing berimbolo rotation. Measures completion quality and defensive awareness. Proficiency indicators:
- Achieves back exposure but struggles to establish full control
- Secures one hook and upper body control consistently
- Establishes full back control within 5-10 seconds of berimbolo completion
- Immediate back control establishment with automatic submission threat sequences
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: The berimbolo represents one of the most geometrically sophisticated movements in modern jiu-jitsu, and Musumeci’s approach exemplifies technical precision over athletic compensation. What distinguishes his methodology is the systematic breakdown of the movement into discrete control points and mechanical requirements. The berimbolo is not a single technique but a position-transition sequence with specific entry requirements, rotational mechanics, and exit pathways. The grip hierarchy is paramount - collar control dictates opponent posture, sleeve or pants control on the near side prevents base recovery, and the DLR hook creates the geometric angle necessary for hip insertion. The rotation itself must be understood as a shoulder-driven movement where the practitioner’s shoulder creates a wedge underneath the opponent’s center of mass, not an arm-pulling or leg-swinging action. The system’s true sophistication lies in its decision tree architecture - when the primary berimbolo path is blocked, the same grip configuration and body positioning allow seamless transition to X-Guard, kiss of the dragon, or sweep variations. This is systematic problem-solving: every defensive reaction from the opponent should open a predetermined offensive pathway. Mastery requires understanding not just the technique but the positional relationships and mechanical principles that make the movement effective regardless of opponent size or strength.
- Gordon Ryan: Musumeci’s berimbolo system is competition-proven at the highest levels, but its effectiveness in no-gi versus gi contexts differs significantly and practitioners must understand these distinctions. In the gi, the collar grip provides tremendous control over opponent posture and rotation, making the berimbolo a high-percentage back-taking mechanism even against elite opponents. The sleeve and pants grips create multiple control points that survive dynamic movement and grip fighting. In no-gi competition, the berimbolo becomes more situational - I use it primarily when opponents make specific tactical errors or when transitioning from failed takedown attempts. The key to competition success with this system is developing the backup options to the same level as the primary technique. Against opponents familiar with berimbolo defense, you may only complete the pure berimbolo movement 30-40% of the time, but if your X-Guard sweeps and kiss of the dragon are equally developed, you maintain offensive pressure throughout. The competitive application requires exceptional grip fighting - if you cannot secure and retain the collar grip, the entire system becomes compromised. I recommend drilling specific grip fighting scenarios where the opponent actively attempts to strip your grips while you work to establish berimbolo controls. Also critical: develop the system from both DLR and reverse DLR positions so you can attack regardless of which leg the opponent leads with. Competition footage shows that successful berimbolo practitioners force their opponents into defensive postures even when the technique doesn’t complete, creating scoring opportunities and positional advantages throughout the match.
- Eddie Bravo: While the berimbolo isn’t a traditional 10th Planet technique, Musumeci’s systematic approach shares philosophical similarities with how we develop technical systems - creating problem-solving frameworks rather than isolated techniques. What I find most interesting about his berimbolo methodology is the emphasis on technical precision over explosive athleticism, which aligns with developing techniques that work regardless of age or physical attributes. The integration of kiss of the dragon as a backup option particularly resonates because it demonstrates the importance of having escape valves and position recovery mechanisms within any attacking system. From a 10th Planet perspective, I see parallel structure between his berimbolo system and our rubber guard framework - both create positional control that opens multiple offensive pathways based on defensive reactions, both emphasize grip control and geometric positioning over strength, and both require systematic drilling to develop automatic responses. For no-gi practitioners, I recommend studying the underlying principles of his system - especially the hip insertion mechanics and rotational control - even if the specific gi grips aren’t available. The concept of using your shoulder to create a wedge under the opponent’s center of mass translates directly to no-gi back-taking from butterfly guard, single leg defense, and front headlock positions. The key innovation in Musumeci’s approach is treating the berimbolo not as a single movement but as a position from which multiple attacks flow, which is exactly how we approach position development at 10th Planet.