De La Riva Guard for Beginners | Essential Techniques and BJJ Tips

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) offers endless depth. Still, the De La Riva guard stands out as one of the most dynamic and adaptable positions—especially for those just starting to explore open guards. If you’re brand-new to BJJ or transitioning from closed guard, this article invites you in with clarity, confidence, and real-world guidance from RollBliss, where quality gear meets thoughtful technique.

Key Takeaways

• The De La Riva guard is one of the most accessible open guards for beginners.
• A solid hook and grip combination forms the foundation of success.
• Begin with simple sweeps, such as the off-balance or elevator sweep.
• Prioritize drills and live reps to sharpen transitions.
• RollBliss gis and rashguards give you the flexibility and comfort needed to train this guard effectively.

What Is the De La Riva Guard?

The De La Riva guard is an open-guard variation where you wrap one of your legs—typically the outside leg—around your opponent’s lead leg. Using grips on their collar, sleeve, or pant cuff in gi (or wrist grip in no-gi), this setup disrupts their base and creates opportunities for sweeping, back-taking, and transitions.

This guard is especially effective for controlling opponents who are standing or attempting pressure, creating angles that allow you to off-balance and sweep, and building a versatile platform for transitions to X-guard or single-leg X.

Why Beginners Should Learn the De La Riva Guard

Mobility over strength

The guard rewards movement and timing—not brute force. That makes it ideal for new practitioners who are still developing their strength or confidence.

Perfect for longer limbs

Taller or more flexible beginners often find that the De La Riva guard feels natural, enabling angle creation and distance control. As RollBliss notes, taller practitioners can "leverage their long limbs to control distance with guards like spider guard or de La Riva" RollBliss.

Great transition base

Once you’ve established the hook and grips, you’re well-placed to flow into systems like X-guard, reverse De La Riva, or invert back to closed guard.

Effective against bigger opponents

Especially if you’re smaller, the guard helps neutralize size advantages: keep your opponent at bay while you find sweeps or submissions, RollBliss.

Step-by-Step Guide: De La Riva Guard Techniques for Beginners

Set up and grips

Use your outside leg to wrap around the opponent’s near leg, just above their knee. In the gi, grip their collar or sleeve; in no-gi, go with wrist or pant grips. Your goal is to disrupt their posture and base.

Stance and base

Sit with your hips slightly off-center and maintain an upright posture. Use your other leg to manage distance. The collar grip in the gi helps you break posture, while sleeve control opens sweeping angles.

Essential sweeps

• Basic off-balance sweep: Push their upper body one way while lifting their leg with your hook.
• Upa or leg drag sweep: Use timing to knock them off axis.
• Elevator sweep: Hook lower on their thigh and lift while twisting across their base.

Sweeps to transitions

• Transition to X-guard if they shift weight off the hooked leg.
• Move to reverse De La Riva by switching the hook around to the inside.
• Slide into a deep half or dogfight by underhooking and controlling their far leg.

Drills to build muscle memory

RollBliss emphasizes drills like De La Riva hook retention during guard retention exercises. Keep your hook active, adjust as they move, and practice recovering position.

How to Integrate De La Riva into Your BJJ Journey

A simple blueprint for beginners is to pair the guard with one sweep and one submission. RollBliss encourages students to master a few high-percentage moves from their primary guard before expanding RollBliss. Flow drills are key: transition from closed guard to De La Riva, to X-guard, and back. During sparring, set rounds where you focus only on entering and maintaining this guard.

RollBliss Gear and the De La Riva Guard

For beginners learning the guard, high-quality gear makes a difference. RollBliss creates custom and ready-made gis and rashguards that are both comfortable and durable. RollBliss gives you the confidence to bend, twist, and invert with ease.

Common Misconceptions to Avoid

“It’s just for tall practitioners.” While longer limbs can be beneficial, anyone can learn it effectively with the correct angles and grips.

“Once in De La Riva, you’re stuck there.” In reality, it’s a launching pad to sweeps, back takes, and transitions.

“No-gi doesn’t work with De La Riva.” Adjust grips to the wrist, ankle, or pant line. The principles remain the same.

Conclusion

The De La Riva guard offers beginners a powerful combination of mobility, control, and flow. When you build it on solid grips, active hooks, sweeps, and transitions, it becomes a gateway to dynamic BJJ. As you train, roll with intention, and trust quality gear from RollBliss to support your movement and confidence.

FAQs

What is the best grip to use in Gi for De La Riva guard?

The collar grip, combined with sleeve control, provides strong upper-body leverage, while your hook disrupts balance.

How do I transition from De La Riva to X-guard?

When they shift weight off your hook, invert slightly and re-hook under their leg, sliding seamlessly into X-guard.

Can I effectively utilize the De La Riva guard in no-gi grappling?

Yes. Replace the gi grips with wrist, ankle, or pant control. The fundamentals of hooking, angling, and sweeping stay the same.