# Reverse De La Riva

> An inside-hook open guard used to manage knee-cut pressure, invert under the hips, or connect to leg entanglements and wrestle-ups.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/reverse-de-la-riva
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/reverse-de-la-riva.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/reverse-de-la-riva
- **Category:** guard
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** intermediate
- **Aliases:** RDLR, reverse DLR, inside De La Riva
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

Reverse De La Riva places a hook around the inside of the opponent's lead leg. It commonly appears when the passer turns sideways for a knee cut or headquarters position, making it both an attacking guard and a retention checkpoint.

The position has many expressions: shallow hook retention, deep inversion, kiss-of-the-dragon back takes, waiter-style sweeps, and entries to single-leg X or outside ashi. The safety of the knee depends on following the opponent's rotation rather than fixing the foot while the knee twists.

## Key principles

- Track the passer's knee line with your own knee and hip angle.
- Control the lead leg while framing against upper-body pressure.
- Keep the hook mobile; do not sacrifice knee alignment for attachment.
- Choose between inversion, distance recovery, and wrestle-up early.

## Common entries

- **Knee-cut defense:** Insert the inside hook as the passer turns the lead knee across.
- **De La Riva transition:** Switch the hook when the passer changes stance or angle.
- **Seated guard:** Attach to the lead leg and sit toward the inside channel.


## Productive next actions

- **Kiss of the dragon:** Invert beneath the hips and follow the far leg toward back exposure.
- **Single-leg X:** Thread underneath the lead leg as the opponent steps or squares.
- **Wrestle-up:** Use the hook to keep the leg close while rising to a finish.


## Defensive priorities

- **Hip control:** Prevent the guard player from rotating underneath your center.
- **Knee-line clearance:** Back-step or redirect the hook only after controlling the free leg.
- **Upper-body connection:** Pair the passing angle with head and arm control so the guard cannot freely invert.

## 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.

## Related techniques

- [Knee-Cut Pass](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/knee-cut-pass)
- [Single-Leg X](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-x)
- [Wrestle-Up](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/wrestle-up)
- [De La Riva Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/de-la-riva-guard)

## Associated athletes

- [Dante Leon](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/dante-leon): Canadian two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and two-time ADCC bronze medalist; Adamas / Pedigo Submission Fighting standout known for wrestling, pressure, and absolute runs.
- [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.
- [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.
- [Lachlan Giles](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/lachlan-giles): Australian coach, ADCC absolute bronze medalist, and leg-lock innovator who built Absolute MMA St Kilda and developed Craig Jones.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules

---

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