De La Riva Recovery | X Guard

Transitioning from De La Riva to X-Guard involves securing an underhook on the opponent's leg and grabbing your own shin, lapel, or belt for control. This grip makes the opponent's leg very stuck and difficult to move, providing a strong control point, especially when the opponent is active.

1. Start by creating space between the opponent's foot and your hip, then secure the underhook on their leg and grab your own shin on top.
2. As the opponent jumps over your leg, extend your leg to maintain control over their knee.
3. Use a collar grip to bring the opponent to the side, which allows you to slide your Reverse De La Riva hook to their knee.
4. Even if the opponent keeps their knee tight, initiate the movement with the collar grip, then follow with your hooks.
5. Use your elbow to elevate the opponent's leg and slide your toes and heel to their hips, bringing your knee inside to establish the X-Guard.
6. In the X-Guard, ensure your bottom hook is in place and the other leg is controlled, but not in a regular X position—instead, it's a modified X with better control.
7. Keep your toes on the opponent's hips and your knee supporting their leg, pinching your elbow down to secure the leg.

This position allows for a variety of attacks once you have successfully defended your guard and transitioned into the X-Guard.