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BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 30 – De la Riva Defense

Warm Up (5min)

Line Drills

  • Forward roll
  • Backward roll

Partner Drills

  • De la Riva Entry

      Lesson (30min)

      Standard De la Riva Defense

      1. Start in top position against uke’s De la Riva guard
      2. Maintain good posture and break uke’s lapel grip
        • Bring the level of your hips below that of your head to maintain good posture
      3. Remove uke’s De la Riva hook and push it down your shin
        • Point your knee outwards to prevent the hook from re-entering
      4. Step away from uke’s hip posted foot and point it down to the mat
      5. Move across uke’s body into the headquarters position

      Negating the Pant Grip – Scoop Grip Method

      1. Start in top position against uke’s De la RIva guard, with uke gripping the gi pants
      2. As before, break uke’s lapel grip and remove their De la Riva hook
      3. Step away from uke’s hip posted foot and point it down to the mat
      4. Take a scoop grip on uke’s leg and bring their foot above your shoulder
        • Press your arm across uke’s body, similar to a double-under guard pass
      5. Pin uke’s other leg from the inside with your shin
        • At this point, uke will likely release their pant grip and go into guard retention movements

      Negating the Pant Grip – Straight Leg Method

      1. Start in top position against uke’s De la RIva guard, with uke gripping the gi pants
      2. As before, break uke’s lapel grip and remove their De la Riva hook
      3. Grip uke’s gi pants and push into their legs
      4. Quickly straighten your legs to break uke’s connection to them
        • Stiff arm uke’s legs using your gi grips to create space as you straighten your legs
      5. Throw uke’s legs to the side and enter into a toreando guard pass
        • At this point, uke will likely release their pant grip and go into guard retention movements

      Reverse De la Riva Defense

      1. Start in top position against uke’s reverse De la Riva guard
      2. Use your elbow to take inside position on uke’s top leg
        • This is to prevent uke’s knee shield later on
      3. Grip the inside of uke’s knee and stiff arm their reverse De la Riva hook downwards
      4. Quickly straighten your leg to break uke’s connection to it
        • Ensure uke’s shoelaces are completely disconnected from your hamstrings
      5. Move into the headquarters position