# Berimbolo

> An inversion-based transition from De La Riva and related guards that follows the opponent's hip to expose the back or create a sweep.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/berimbolo
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/berimbolo.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/berimbolo
- **Category:** transition
- **Format:** gi
- **Level:** advanced
- **Aliases:** bolo, berimbolinho
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The berimbolo is a family of rotations beneath and around the opponent's hips, most famously from De La Riva guard. Rather than sweeping the opponent away, the guard player stays connected to the waist and legs while moving into the space behind the hips.

Competition versions range from compact shoulder rolls to extended inversion exchanges. The defining idea is not the acrobatics; it is preserving control of the hip line while changing the relationship from in front of the opponent to behind them.

## Key principles

- Off-balance the opponent before inverting beneath the hips.
- Control the belt, waist, or far hip so the opponent cannot simply turn away.
- Keep the neck unloaded by rotating across the shoulders, not the head.
- Use the legs to separate or staple the opponent's knees during the climb.

## Common entries

- **De La Riva:** Sit the opponent toward the controlled side and rotate beneath the near hip.
- **Double guard pull:** Win the upper hip position and begin the inversion as both players sit.
- **50/50 exchange:** Unwind the entanglement while following the opponent's belt line.


## Productive next actions

- **Back control:** Climb above the hips and connect upper-body controls as the opponent turns.
- **Crab ride:** Use hooks behind the knees or hips to keep the opponent suspended during the transition.
- **Leg drag:** Come on top with the opponent's legs directed across the body.


## Defensive priorities

- **Free the hip:** Break belt or waist control before trying to spin out.
- **Square the knees:** Prevent the guard player from separating the legs and climbing behind them.
- **Create distance:** Stand or step away only after the controlling hooks are cleared.

## Rules and safety

Scoring and permitted grips vary by promotion and division. Check the current organizer rules before competing.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## History and naming

The berimbolo became a defining feature of elite lighter-weight gi competition through the work of competitors including the Mendes and Miyao brothers.

## Related techniques

- [De La Riva Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/de-la-riva-guard)
- [Crab Ride](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/crab-ride)
- [Back Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control)
- [Leg-Drag Pass](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/leg-drag-pass)

## Associated athletes

- [Rafael Mendes](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/rafael-mendes): Six-time IBJJF featherweight world champion, two-time ADCC champion, berimbolo pioneer, and Art of Jiu-Jitsu co-founder.
- [Mikey Musumeci](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mikey-musumeci): Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling champion, and technical guard specialist known for the Mikey Lock.
- [Levi Jones-Leary](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/levi-jones-leary): Australian black belt, IBJJF European and Pan champ, and ADCC Oceania Trials winner known for elite guard and berimbolo.
- [Gianni Grippo](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/gianni-grippo): Marcelo Garcia black belt, Alliance-Marcelo Garcia standout, and three-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion known for berimbolos, leg drags, and back attacks.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/berimbolo and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*