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IntermediateDe La Riva Guard
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About This Technique
Description
The De La Riva Guard is an open guard position that allows for excellent control and the ability to transition to sweeps and submissions. It is named after Ricardo de la Riva, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who popularized this guard style.
Position
- Open Guard
- Standing
Japanese Name
- N/A
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Establishing the Guard
- Begin in an open guard position with your opponent standing.
- Use one of your feet (the right foot for the sake of this example) to hook the inside of your opponent's opposite leg (left leg), wrapping your instep around their calf.
- Place your other foot on their hip to maintain balance and control.
2. Controlling the Arm
- Grip your opponent's opposite sleeve (their right sleeve in this scenario) with your same-side hand for control and leverage.
3. Grabbing the Ankle
- With your free hand (left in this example), reach for and grip your opponent’s left ankle. This helps control their movement and supports your balance.
4. Adjusting Your Position
- Shift your hips slightly to the side of your hooked leg (right in the example) to maintain pressure on your opponent's leg. This adjustment aids in maximizing control and preparing for subsequent moves.
5. Situational Awareness
- Constantly monitor your opponent's posture, ensuring you maintain the tension in your hooks and grips.
6. Transitioning to Offense
- From here, you have various attacking options, such as:
- Sweep: Push with the foot on their hip while lifting with the hook to off-balance and topple them.
- Submission Setup: Transition into a triangle or armbar as your opponent defends the sweep.
7. Retaining Control
- If your opponent tries to strip your grips or free their leg, adjust quickly by reestablishing your hooks and grips or transitioning to another guard before they solidify their base.
Tips:
- Always control the distance with your foot on the hip and properly manage the hooks.
- Stay mobile with your hips to adapt to your opponent’s movements.
- Always maintain tension in the guard to control the pace and keep your opponent off-balance.
In mastering the De La Riva guard, focus on transitions to other positions or submissions to leverage the dynamic nature of this guard.”}
How to Execute
# De La Riva Guard from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Start from the open guard position with your opponent standing over you. Your back should be on the mat with your hips slightly elevated, and your legs should be actively engaging with your opponent to maintain distance and control.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**:
- Use your left hand to grip your opponent's right ankle (or vice versa if you are setting up on the opposite side).
- Your right foot should hook behind your opponent's right knee, creating the De La Riva hook.
- Your left foot should be placed on your opponent's left hip to help control distance and create angles.
## Steps
1. **Establish the Hook**:
- With your opponent standing over you, use your right leg to form a hook around the outside of their right leg, ensuring your foot is behind their knee. This is the primary control point of the De La Riva guard.
2. **Control the Ankle**:
- With your left hand, firmly grip your opponent's right ankle. This grip helps you control their movement and sets up sweeps or attacks.
3. **Create Distance with the Hip**:
- Extend your left leg and place your foot on your opponent's left hip. This foot acts as a frame to maintain distance and apply pressure, allowing you to manipulate their balance.
4. **Engage the Free Hand**:
- Use your right hand to either grip the opponent's near sleeve for additional control or to grab their collar for posture control, depending on your intended follow-up attack or sweep.
5. **Adjust Your Angle**:
- Use the foot on the hip to slightly shift your hips to the left, creating a better angle to disrupt your opponent's balance and set up sweeps or submissions.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Keep your De La Riva hook active by using your leg to maintain tension against your opponent's knee.
- Ensure your grips are tight and controlled; loose grips will allow your opponent to easily break free and pass your guard.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Avoid leaving your head too close to your opponent's legs, which makes you susceptible to knee cuts or backsteps.
- Do not let your hips drop to the mat; maintain a slight elevation to allow for better mobility and control.
- Ensure you are actively using your foot on their hip to manage the distance; failing to do so can lead to your opponent closing the distance and initiating a guard pass.
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