Grips and De La Riva Structure

Establishing effective grips and structure in the De La Riva guard is crucial before attempting Berimbolos. The following points highlight the key elements:

1. Opt for collar control rather than the belt for better posture breaking and control. A deep grip on the collar, with fingers walking towards the shoulder, is more challenging for the opponent to break.
2. Breaking the opponent's posture with a collar grip is more effective than holding the belt, as it limits their ability to pass and break the De La Riva guard.
3. Keep the non-De La Riva foot firmly on the opponent's hip, not just resting on the thigh, to prevent them from stepping over and initiating passes like the knee cut.
4. Maintain a strong De La Riva hook with a flexed foot, toes high on the opponent's thigh, and the knee turned slightly inwards to control their leg movement.
5. Instead of gripping the pants, control the opponent's leg by holding the ankle or hugging the leg, which provides a tighter connection and better control for initiating Berimbolo attacks.

These foundational elements ensure a strong De La Riva guard, making it difficult for the opponent to pass and setting up effective attacks such as the Berimbolo.