# De La Riva Guard

> An outside-hook open guard used to control a standing opponent's lead leg and create sweeps, back takes, and transitions.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/de-la-riva-guard
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/de-la-riva-guard.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/de-la-riva-guard
- **Category:** guard
- **Format:** gi
- **Level:** intermediate
- **Aliases:** DLR, jello guard
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

De La Riva guard uses an outside leg hook around the opponent's lead leg, typically paired with ankle control and a sleeve, collar, belt, or far-leg connection. It gives the bottom player a way to manage distance while turning the passer's knee and hip alignment.

The guard is a major hub in modern gi jiu-jitsu. It connects to tripod and overhead sweeps, berimbolo pathways, X guard, single-leg X, and wrestle-ups. No-gi adaptations exist, but the loss of durable cloth grips changes the position significantly.

## Key principles

- Control the lead leg at both the ankle and hip line.
- Keep the hook active without overextending the knee.
- Create diagonal off-balances instead of pulling straight backward.
- Use the second leg to manage distance, frame, or attack the far side.

## Common entries

- **Open guard:** Attach to the lead ankle and wrap the outside hook as the opponent stands.
- **Guard retention:** Turn a passer's lead leg into a control point while recovering square hips.
- **Seated guard:** Connect to a leg, sit to the outside hip, and thread the hook.


## Productive next actions

- **Berimbolo:** Invert beneath a controlled hip to expose the back.
- **Tripod sweep:** Disrupt both legs and the upper-body post to sit the opponent down.
- **Single-leg X:** Move underneath the lead leg when the passer turns or retreats.


## Defensive priorities

- **Clear the ankle grip:** Free the lead foot so the guard cannot control the entire leg as a lever.
- **Square the knee:** Recover knee and hip alignment before driving forward.
- **Manage the free leg:** Pin or redirect the distance leg before it creates a secondary frame or entry.

## 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 position is named for Ricardo De La Riva, whose use of the outside hook became strongly associated with his competitive guard game.

## Related techniques

- [Berimbolo](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/berimbolo)
- [Single-Leg X](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-x)
- [X Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/x-guard)
- [Toreando Pass](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/toreando-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.
- [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.
- [Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/rubens-charles): Five-time IBJJF black-belt world champion, three-time ADCC champion, and the first jiu-jitsu Super Grand Slam winner.

## 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/de-la-riva-guard and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*