### De La Riva Guard Technique The De La Riva Guard is a versatile and common guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), primarily used in competitive situations for both defense and setting up sweeps or submissions. **Position:** Open Guard **Top/Bottom:** Bottom **Japanese Name:** N/A --- ### Step-by-Step Instructions #### Initial Setup: 1. **Sit in an Open Guard position.** - Start seated on the mat facing your standing opponent. 2. **Place your Left Leg:** - Hook your left foot from the outside to the inside of your opponent's right leg. - Your shin should be wrapped around the upper calf, with your toes positioned on or close to your opponent's hip or thigh. 3. **Control with Your Right Foot:** - Place your right foot on your opponent's left thigh or hip to help manage distance and maintain flexibility. #### Grips and Control: 4. **Establish a Sleeve Grip:** - Use your right hand to grip your opponent's right sleeve, just above their wrist. 5. **Grab the Far Ankle:** - Use your free (left) hand to secure a hold on your opponent's left ankle to destabilize their stance. #### Maintain Balance: 6. **Control with the Legs:** - Use your legs in a push-pull dynamic: your left leg pulls and the right leg pushes when needed to maintain the desired distance. 7. **Knee Positioning:** - Ensure your left knee is flared out slightly to the side, positioned in front of your opponent's leg, maintaining structural integrity against passing attempts. #### Executing a Basic Sweep (Various Options): 8. **Off-balance Your Opponent: (Basic Off-balance Sweep)** - Pull your opponent's sleeve and ankle towards you while simultaneously pushing with your right foot into their hip. 9. **Complete the Sweep:** - As your opponent begins to tilt, elevate your hips slightly for extra leverage, directing your opponent toward their back or side. - Follow through by sitting up, using momentum from their fall to initiate a pass once they reach the ground. 10. **Secure the Position:** - Transition into a top position such as side control or mount after completing the sweep. #### Key Points: - Maintaining distance and control with your legs is crucial to stopping your opponent from passing. - Proper grip control aids in destabilizing your opponent, leading to effective sweep setups. - Adaptability and readiness to transition to other steps depending on your opponent's reactions. The De La Riva Guard, when effectively executed, not only offers a robust defensive position but also a platform to launch offensive maneuvers such as sweeps and submissions. --- Mastery of this guard requires practice, understanding its dynamics, and the ability to seamlessly transition between different variations depending on your training partner's or opponent's movements.