The RDLR Backstep Counter is a fundamental guard passing technique that specifically addresses the Reverse De La Riva hook—one of the most challenging guard retention tools in modern BJJ. When an opponent establishes RDLR, their inverted hook creates rotational off-balancing that makes direct forward passing dangerous, as driving into the guard feeds waiter sweeps and kiss of the dragon back-take entries. The backstep solves this problem by moving the hooked leg backward and around the entanglement, removing the hook’s mechanical advantage without exposing the passer to common counter-attacks.
The technique operates on the principle that lateral and backward movement neutralizes the RDLR hook more effectively than direct confrontation. By stepping the trapped leg backward while maintaining upper body control through cross-face or collar grips, the top player removes the bottom player’s primary control mechanism and transitions into Headquarters Position—a versatile passing hub from which knee cuts, leg drags, and other passing sequences become immediately available. Timing and coordination between the backstep motion and grip management determine success, as premature backsteps without grip breaks allow the bottom player to follow with inversions or transition to X-Guard and Single Leg X.
Strategically, the RDLR Backstep Counter serves as a cornerstone of systematic RDLR passing methodology. It complements direct passing approaches like leg drags and smash passes by providing an alternative pathway when the bottom player’s hook is too deep for direct neutralization. The technique’s effectiveness increases when combined with upper body pressure that limits the bottom player’s rotation capacity, creating a unified passing system that addresses RDLR from multiple angles while maintaining safe base positioning throughout.
From Position: Reverse De La Riva Guard (Top) Success Rate: 55%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Headquarters Position | 55% |
| Failure | Reverse De La Riva Guard | 30% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Break or control the ankle grip before initiating the backst… | Maintain the ankle grip as your primary control tool—it stee… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Break or control the ankle grip before initiating the backstep—the ankle grip is the steering mechanism that directs the hook’s rotational force and enables sweeps
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Maintain upper body control throughout the backstep motion to prevent the bottom player from following with inversions or guard transitions
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Execute the backstep as a controlled, deliberate movement rather than an explosive retreat to maintain base and prevent overextension
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Keep weight distributed over the posting leg during the backstep to prevent forward collapse that feeds into sweeps
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Immediately establish Headquarters control upon clearing the hook—do not pause in a neutral stance where the bottom player can re-engage
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Use the backstep angle to create passing momentum rather than treating it as a purely defensive position reset
Execution Steps
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Establish upper body control: Secure a cross-face grip, collar tie, or lapel control with your lead hand to limit the bottom playe…
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Strip the ankle grip: Use your free hand to break the bottom player’s grip on your hooked ankle by controlling their wrist…
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Load weight onto posting leg: Shift your center of gravity over your non-hooked posting leg, creating a stable single-leg base fro…
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Execute the backstep arc: Step your hooked leg backward in a circular arc, moving it behind and away from the bottom player’s …
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Clear the hook and control the freed leg: As your leg clears the RDLR entanglement, immediately use your free hand to control the bottom playe…
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Establish Headquarters Position: Settle into Headquarters by pinning the bottom player’s near leg between your legs with your shin dr…
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Consolidate and assess passing options: From Headquarters, establish full positional control by verifying your grips, base width, and pressu…
Common Mistakes
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Backstepping without first addressing the ankle grip on the hooked leg
- Consequence: The bottom player maintains directional control of the hook and uses the backstep momentum to pull you off balance or redirect you into a sweep, as the ankle grip steers your leg during the step.
- Correction: Always strip or neutralize the ankle grip before initiating the backstep. Control their wrist, peel fingers, or at minimum redirect the grip’s pulling vector so it cannot steer your leg during the stepping motion.
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Taking a shallow backstep that does not fully clear the RDLR hook
- Consequence: The bottom player immediately re-establishes the hook at a deeper level, often catching your calf or ankle where the hook is harder to remove, resulting in a stronger RDLR position than before the attempt.
- Correction: Commit to a full backstep arc that takes your leg completely behind and away from their hooking range. The step should be wide enough that your knee passes well behind their leg before you begin settling into Headquarters.
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Losing upper body control during the backstep by releasing grips to focus on leg movement
- Consequence: The bottom player gains freedom to rotate, invert, or create frames that prevent Headquarters establishment, often leading to successful berimbolo entries or guard recovery to open guard.
- Correction: Maintain at least one upper body grip throughout the entire backstep sequence. Your upper body and lower body must work independently—the upper body controls their torso while the lower body executes the step.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Maintain the ankle grip as your primary control tool—it steers the backstep and creates the pulling vector needed for sweeps and guard retention
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Track the backstep with active hip rotation to follow the top player’s movement and maintain hook engagement throughout their stepping motion
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Recognize backstep initiation early through weight shift and grip change cues to deploy counters before the step completes
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Keep hips elevated and mobile to enable quick transitions to alternative guards if RDLR hook cannot be retained against the backstep
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Use the backstep’s single-leg balance moment as an offensive opportunity for inversions and sweeps rather than passively defending the hook
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Have pre-planned transitions to X-Guard, Single Leg X, or berimbolo ready when the backstep creates distance or changes the angle
Recognition Cues
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Top player shifts weight predominantly to their non-hooked posting leg, unloading the hooked leg in preparation for stepping
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Top player breaks or begins stripping your ankle grip while tightening their upper body control through cross-face or collar
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Top player’s hooked leg begins lifting or rotating backward away from your hook with a circular movement pattern
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Upper body grip pressure increases suddenly as the top player anchors their torso control before initiating the step
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Top player’s posture straightens slightly or their hip angle changes, indicating preparation for directional change away from forward pressure
Defensive Options
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Reinforce ankle grip and follow the backstep with hip rotation, re-hooking the leg as it attempts to clear - When: Immediately upon sensing the backstep initiation—when the top player’s hooked leg begins unloading weight and moving backward
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Invert underneath the backstep, rotating shoulders toward the mat to initiate berimbolo or crab ride entry for back take or sweep - When: When the backstep creates space underneath the top player and their upper body control is loose enough to allow shoulder rotation toward the mat
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Transition to Single Leg X or X-Guard by repositioning feet on the top player’s hips as the backstep creates distance - When: When the backstep has partially cleared your hook but created enough space to insert feet on hips before Headquarters is established
Position Integration
The RDLR Backstep Counter connects the defensive challenge of facing Reverse De La Riva Guard with the offensive opportunity of Headquarters Position. Within the guard passing hierarchy, it serves as a transitional technique that converts a compromised top position into a dominant passing platform. The backstep complements other RDLR passing tools—leg drags address the hook laterally, smash passes address it with direct pressure, while the backstep addresses it through strategic withdrawal and repositioning. From Headquarters, the passer accesses the full tree of systematic passing options including knee cuts, toreando, and body lock passes, making the backstep a gateway to the entire guard passing decision tree.