Open De la Riva: Collar Drag

Executing a collar drag from the Open De la Riva position is highly effective when combined with consistent drilling of basic warm-ups. Maintain a firm grip on the opponent's lapel throughout the technique to control their posture and balance.

1. Start by holding the lapel with a tight grip, ensuring not to release it at any point during the execution of the technique.
2. Open your De la Riva hook and use the free leg as leverage to initiate the movement.
3. Proceed to come up as if entering a single leg takedown, but do not remain static in this position.
4. Use a fluid motion to transition from the elevated position to passing the guard, applying a cross-face, or moving into your preferred sequence.
5. The key difference in this technique is the persistent grip on the lapel, which prevents the opponent from countering and aids in off-balancing them quickly.
6. Once the opponent is off-balance, either drive towards them or circle forward to open up the position and advance.

This approach ensures a strong control over the opponent, limiting their ability to counter and allowing for a smooth transition to more dominant positions.