De La Riva Sweep

Sweep

The De La Riva sweep is a fundamental guard sweep where the bottom player uses a hook behind the opponent's lead leg combined with grip control to off-balance and topple the standing or kneeling passer. It is used when the opponent stands or posts a lead leg inside the guard player's range, and it can lead to mount, back control, or a standing position depending on the direction of the sweep and follow-through.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The DLR hook must control the opponent's lead leg deeply, wrapping behind the knee or thigh to prevent them from backstopping.
  • · Off-balancing requires combining a pull with the grips and a lift/push with the hook leg to disrupt the opponent's base in opposite directions.
  • · Controlling the far-side sleeve or ankle prevents the opponent from posting to recover balance.
  • · Timing the sweep when the opponent's weight shifts forward or commits to a pass attempt dramatically increases success.
  • · If the initial sweep is blocked, immediately chain to berimbolo, kiss-of-the-dragon, or ankle pick entries to maintain offensive pressure.

Execution

  1. 1 Establish the DLR hook behind the opponent's lead leg while securing a same-side collar or belt grip and an opposite-side sleeve or ankle grip.
  2. 2 Use your non-hook foot on the opponent's hip or bicep to create distance and maintain framing while stretching their posture.
  3. 3 Pull the opponent forward and toward the hooked-leg side using your grips while simultaneously lifting with the DLR hook to elevate their base.
  4. 4 As they fall, remove the hook and follow through by coming on top to mount, taking the back if they turtle, or standing up into a dominant position.
  5. 5 Immediately secure a controlling position before the opponent can re-guard or scramble.

Common mistakes

  • × Hooking too shallow around the ankle instead of deep behind the knee, which gives the opponent easy ability to strip the hook and pass.
  • × Neglecting to control the far-side sleeve or ankle, allowing the opponent to post a hand or step wide to recover balance and kill the sweep.
  • × Failing to follow through after the off-balance, staying on the back instead of immediately coming up to secure top position, which lets the opponent recover guard or turtle effectively.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the De La Riva Sweep shows up.

De La Riva Guard Bottom
4 less common
Double Sleeve Guard Feet On Hips Guard Shin-to-shin Guard Bottom Squid Guard

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Back Control Top Mount Top Standing Position