Reverse De La Riva Guard (RDLR): Complete BJJ Technique Guid

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in modern guard systems | Last Updated: January 9, 2026

The Reverse De La Riva guard (RDLR) represents one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most significant positional innovations—a guard variation that transformed defensive guard retention into offensive dominance. While the De La Riva guard revolutionized bottom game with its outside hook, RDLR flipped the script with an inside hook that counters aggressive passing attempts in ways the original DLR cannot.

According to Digitsu’s RDLR fundamentals breakdown, this position stands out as an innovative guard designed specifically to counter aggressive passers, whether you’re rolling in gi or no-gi. The inside leg hook creates unique leverage opportunities that disrupt common passing sequences like knee slice, leg drag, and toreando passes.

After coaching hundreds of students through RDLR development and using it extensively in competition, I’ve found it’s often easier to learn than traditional DLR because the inside hook feels more intuitive. Yet despite this accessibility, RDLR remains underutilized by intermediate practitioners who haven’t discovered its strategic advantages.

Whether you’re a blue belt building guard retention skills or a purple belt developing competition-level sweeping systems, understanding RDLR mechanics provides defensive insurance against aggressive passers and offensive pathways to dominant positions.

What Is the Reverse De La Riva Guard?

The Reverse De La Riva guard occurs when the bottom player uses an inside hook around the opponent’s leg—your left leg hooking inside their left leg, or vice versa—while maintaining grips and using the free leg to manage distance and create angles.

Core RDLR Elements:

Inside hook (opposite of traditional DLR’s outside hook)
Hook wraps around inside of opponent’s thigh
Foot connects to opponent’s hip or thigh
Creates barrier preventing forward pressure
Free leg posts, frames, or attacks

The inside hook makes RDLR fundamentally different from its namesake position. While traditional DLR excels at off-balancing and creating back-taking opportunities through inversion, RDLR specializes in guard retention against aggressive passers who’ve developed DLR counters.

Understanding what is guard in BJJ provides context for why guard variations matter—different hooks and configurations counter different passing strategies.

The Evolution: From DLR Defense to Standalone System

The Problem That Created RDLR

As the De La Riva guard became ubiquitous in competition during the late 1990s and early 2000s, elite guard passers developed systematic counters:

Common DLR Counters:

Backstep pass (stepping away from the hook)
Knee slice (driving through the guard)
Leg weave (threading leg through the hook)
Pressure passes (smashing the guard player flat)

These counters created a problem: DLR players needed answers when opponents neutralized the outside hook. The solution emerged organically from the position itself.

The Natural Transition

BJJ Fanatics’ analysis by Lachlan Giles explains that RDLR often appears when passers defend traditional DLR:

“A great time to implement the RDLR and work the inversion is when the passer is responding to a traditional De La Riva guard. In most cases, the passer will want to step over your free foot and sit on it to combat the De La Riva guard. As this occurs, the top player basically puts themselves into your reverse De La Riva.”

The position emerged from necessity—when your opponent steps over your free leg to counter DLR, they inadvertently give you RDLR. What started as defensive adjustment became offensive weapon.

Caio Terra: The RDLR Pioneer

While multiple practitioners experimented with inside hooks, Caio Terra is most frequently credited with systematizing RDLR as a complete positional system rather than just a transitional guard.

Caio Terra’s Contributions:

Multiple-time world champion (roosterweight division)
Developed comprehensive RDLR sweeping sequences
Created instructional content demonstrating RDLR systems
Proved effectiveness against elite-level competition
Showed how RDLR chains with other modern guards

Terra’s influence made RDLR a fundamental part of lightweight competition strategy. His technical precision and ability to sweep much larger opponents demonstrated the position’s mechanical advantages.

Modern RDLR Champions

Contemporary competitors who built games around RDLR include:

Elite RDLR Practitioners:

Lachlan Giles – ADCC competitor and instructor known for analytical RDLR approach
Dante Leon – Rising star with dynamic RDLR-based guard game
Leandro Lo – Legendary competitor who used RDLR inversion variations
Multiple lightweight champions – RDLR appears in virtually every elite lightweight’s game

The position evolved from DLR counter to essential guard variation that works across weight classes, rule sets, and skill levels.

Why RDLR Works: Mechanical Advantages

The Inside Hook’s Unique Properties

The RDLR inside hook creates mechanical problems distinct from traditional DLR:

Structural Benefits:

Distance management – Hook acts as barrier preventing forward pressure
Base disruption – Inside position compromises their stance differently than outside hook
Leverage creation – Thigh contact provides pushing/pulling fulcrum
Passing prevention – Makes knee slice, leg drag, and toreando more difficult
Transition platform – Connects seamlessly to X-guard, single leg X, and inversion

Digitsu’s mechanical analysis emphasizes that the hook “acts as a barrier to retain distance and acts as a springboard for transitions.”

I tell students: if DLR is a battering ram (aggressive offense), RDLR is a shield wall (defensive structure that creates counter-attacks). Both work, but they solve different problems.

Counter to Common Passing Sequences

RDLR specifically neutralizes passes that beat traditional open guards:

Against Knee Slice Pass

Inside hook blocks the slicing knee’s path
Creates frame preventing forward pressure
Transitions to kiss of the dragon or inversion
Or sweeps using their committed momentum

Against Leg Drag Pass

Hook prevents them from controlling and dragging your leg
Free leg frames on their shoulder or hip
Transitions to single leg X or back take
Or executes tripod sweep when they over-commit

Against Toreando/Bullfighting Pass

Inside hook creates connection they must break before passing
Free leg posts on hips preventing them throwing your legs
Transitions to De La X or standard DLR
Creates distance to recover guard when pressured

This defensive utility explains why RDLR appears so frequently in high-level competition—it’s insurance against aggressive passing.

Versatility Across Contexts

RDLR works in multiple grappling contexts:

Gi Competition:

Ankle/pant grips enhance control
Collar/lapel grips create drag and off-balancing
Works across all weight classes
Chains seamlessly with gi-specific guards

No-Gi and MMA:

Ankle control replaces pant grips
Underhooks provide sweeping leverage
Faster pace rewards RDLR’s defensive qualities
Works despite striking threats (better than inverted positions)

Submission-Only vs. Points:

Points: sweeps score, guard retention prevents opponent points
Sub-only: transitions to leg locks and back attacks
Both formats reward RDLR’s positional control

Understanding how the crab ride and the truck connect to RDLR back-taking systems shows modern back attack evolution.

Core RDLR Mechanics and Setup

Establishing the RDLR Hook

The foundation is the inside hook configuration:

Proper Hook Mechanics

Inside leg (left leg for their left leg) wraps around inside of their thigh
Your shin/calf contacts inside of their thigh
Foot connects to their far hip
Hook creates barrier preventing forward movement
Constant pulling action maintains connection

Critical Detail: The hook must be active, not passive. Pull their leg toward your centerline while pushing their hip away with your foot—this creates the structural tension that makes RDLR work.

Standard RDLR Configuration

Classic RDLR positioning:

Essential Elements

RDLR hook on their lead leg (inside position)
Free leg posted on their opposite hip, shoulder, or bicep
Same-side hand grips their ankle or pant leg
Opposite hand controls sleeve, collar, or creates frames
Hips mobile and ready to adjust angles

Posture Requirement: RDLR works best when opponent is in squatting/combat base position. If they’re standing upright, the hook has less effectiveness—transition to standing guard variations instead.

Grip Strategy

Grips determine RDLR effectiveness:

Gi Grip Priorities

1. Ankle/pant grip (same side as hook): Prevents them creating distance
2. Sleeve grip (opposite hand): Stops posting and controls their upper body
3. Collar grip: Alternative to sleeve for dragging and off-balancing
4. Belt grip: Works for certain sweep variations

No-Gi Adaptations

Ankle control (essential—grip firmly around ankle bone)
Wrist control replaces sleeve grips
Underhooks when available for sweeping power
Head control for certain submissions

In my experience, blue belts often establish the hook correctly but neglect ankle control. Without ankle grip, opponents create distance and kill your RDLR before you can attack.

Hip Positioning and Movement

Static RDLR gets passed—dynamic RDLR sweeps:

Active Hip Management

Angle your hips away from centerline (don’t stay directly in front)
Elevate hips when executing sweeps
Keep shoulders off mat (prevents getting flattened)
Circle around opponent using hook as pivot point
Create momentum through movement, not strength

One purple belt told me RDLR “clicked” when he stopped thinking of it as a holding position and started using it as a launching pad. That shift in mindset transformed his guard game.

Essential RDLR Techniques and Sweeps

1. Tripod Sweep (Most Fundamental)

The highest-percentage RDLR sweep for beginners:

Step-by-Step Execution

Establish RDLR with ankle and sleeve grips
Post free leg on opponent’s far shoulder/bicep (creates tripod)
Pull ankle grip toward you while pushing shoulder away
Drive opponent backward over their compromised base
Follow through to top position

Why It Works: You’re attacking their base from opposite directions simultaneously—their only option is falling backward.

Common Mistake: Not posting high enough on their shoulder. Post on their hip and they can base out. Post on their shoulder and they topple.

2. Tumbling/Roll-Over Sweep

When opponent pressures forward into RDLR:

Execution Sequence

Establish RDLR with collar or belt grip
As they pressure forward, pull collar/belt aggressively
Extend RDLR hook while lifting with free leg
Roll them over you (like tomahawk sweep)
Land in mount or top position

Tactical Application: Use their forward pressure against them. The harder they drive, the easier this sweep becomes.

I’ve hit this sweep on much larger opponents because physics beats strength—their momentum does the work.

3. Kiss of the Dragon

Inversion-based back take:

Mechanics

From RDLR, angle hips toward their far side
Invert underneath their body (shoulder to mat)
Roll completely under their legs
Emerge behind them with back exposure
Secure seat belt grip and hooks

Advanced Note: This technique appears in both RDLR and traditional DLR, but RDLR’s inside hook position sometimes creates better inversion angles against certain passing styles.

Understanding berimbolo techniques helps with kiss of the dragon timing since both use similar inversion mechanics.

4. Single Leg X Transition

Converting RDLR to single leg X guard:

Transition Sequence

From RDLR position with ankle control
Free leg switches from posting to hooking their ankle
Creates single leg X configuration
Execute single leg X sweeps or transitions
Or transition to leg locks (no-gi)

Strategic Value: When RDLR sweeps aren’t available, single leg X provides alternative attacking platform without abandoning the position.

5. Waiter Sweep

Dealing with opponent who stays upright:

Setup and Execution

RDLR hook established with collar grip
Free leg pushes their far hip away
Pull collar while extending hook
Sit up as they fall backward
Come up to top position or take back

Competition Application: Works when opponent refuses to engage, staying too upright for traditional RDLR sweeps.

6. Back Take Through Inversion

Lachlan Giles’ RDLR inversion system popularized this approach:

Inversion Mechanics

RDLR established with collar/belt grip
Ankle control on hooked leg
Invert underneath opponent when they pressure
Spin to their back using collar grip for control
Establish hooks and attack rear naked choke

Critical Detail: Lead with your knee during inversion and keep it below their hip level—this prevents leg locks and toe holds.

RDLR Variations and Entry Systems

From Traditional DLR

The natural transition point:

Leandro Lo Variation

Playing standard DLR guard
Opponent steps over your free leg (DLR counter)
Cross your feet and kick them forward
They post hands to mat
Immediately execute RDLR inversion or sweep

Strategic Insight: This transition makes DLR and RDLR function as single system rather than separate positions. Chain them together for complete guard game.

From Seated Guard

Double guard pull situations:

Setup Process

Both competitors seated
Establish inside hook on opponent’s lead leg
Immediately secure ankle grip
Use free leg to create distance or break their grips
Execute RDLR attacks as they try to pass

This entry appears constantly in lightweight gi competition where double guard pulls dominate.

From Failed Guard Recovery

When your guard is being passed:

Defensive RDLR Entry

Opponent executing knee slice or leg drag
Shoot inside hook on their passing leg
Establish ankle grip while framing with free leg
Recover full RDLR structure
Counter-sweep or transition

I’ve saved countless guard passes this way. RDLR works as emergency brake when traditional guard retention fails.

RDLR to X-Guard

Powerful combination:

Transition Mechanics

RDLR established with both hooks active
Free leg switches from posting to creating X configuration
Both legs now control single opponent leg
Execute X-guard sweeps or back takes
Or return to RDLR if they counter

Understanding how closed guard concepts differ from open guards like RDLR helps beginners appreciate why multiple guard positions matter.

RDLR Defense and Guard Passing

Passing RDLR: Top Player Perspective

Understanding RDLR passing makes your RDLR guard better:

Backstep Pass

Control their hooking leg at the ankle
Create pressure on their thigh to flatten hook
Backstep with hooked leg while maintaining posture
Circle away from their body
Complete pass to side control

Counter for Guard Player: Extend hook maximally and follow their movement, converting to single leg X or standard DLR.

Knee Slice Pass

Establish strong posture (don’t let them flatten you)
Grip their collar and far sleeve
Drive knee through their guard (slice motion)
Maintain heavy pressure while sliding through
Secure side control

Counter for Guard Player: Use hook to disturb their base, establish underhook, or invert underneath for back take.

Leg Drag Pass

Grip their hooking leg’s pant/ankle
Drag it across your body (away from their centerline)
Maintain strong posture
Complete pass while controlling the leg
Take side control or back

Counter for Guard Player: Retain ankle control on their far leg, follow their movement, transition to different guard variation.

Defending RDLR Attacks

When someone plays RDLR against you:

Preventative Measures

Don’t let them establish ankle control
Break their grips immediately when established
Maintain upright posture (don’t get pulled down)
Keep weight distributed properly
Never allow them to flatten you

Counter-Attacking

Smash passes work if you can flatten them
Leg drags bypass the hook entirely
Backsteps remove the hook’s effectiveness
Pressure passes make inversions dangerous for them

I teach students: the best RDLR defense is preventing establishment. Once it’s locked in, passing becomes significantly harder.

Training RDLR by Skill Level

For Blue Belts: Building Foundations

Blue belts should establish RDLR basics before advanced variations:

Beginner Priorities

Learn proper inside hook mechanics
Master tripod sweep (highest percentage)
Develop ankle grip obsession (never let go)
Practice RDLR entries from common positions
Study when RDLR works vs. when other guards are better

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand guard development timelines.

Training Tip: Drill RDLR → DLR → RDLR transitions until they’re automatic. These positions work as system, not isolation.

For Purple Belts: System Development

Purple belts develop complete RDLR attacking systems:

Intermediate Development

Master all major RDLR sweeps (tripod, tumbling, waiter)
Study inversion mechanics safely
Learn to chain RDLR with single leg X and X-guard
Develop kiss of the dragon entries
Practice RDLR passing to understand vulnerabilities

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure RDLR integration during this phase.

For Brown/Black Belts: Specialization

Advanced practitioners refine details and create signature systems:

Develop personalized RDLR based on body type and style
Study elite practitioners (Caio Terra, Lachlan Giles, Dante Leon)
Create counter-strategies for all modern passing systems
Perfect timing on inversions and back takes
Master seamless transitions between all guard variations
Develop leg lock entries from RDLR (no-gi)

At this level, your RDLR should have signature elements that reflect your game. My RDLR emphasizes kiss of the dragon and back takes. My training partner’s focuses on tripod sweeps to leg drags. Both approaches work.

Competition Strategy and Applications

IBJJF Gi Competition

RDLR’s natural competitive environment:

Strategic Advantages

Guard retention prevents opponent’s 3 points for passing
Sweeps score 2 points
Back takes from RDLR score 4 points
Works across all weight divisions
Gi grips enhance control significantly

Competition Reality: Elite lightweights use RDLR as insurance policy—when DLR gets countered, RDLR provides backup plan.

No-Gi and ADCC

RDLR appears frequently in no-gi:

No-Gi Modifications

Ankle control becomes absolutely essential
Faster transitions required
Leg lock entries more available
Works well with wrestling-based styles
Still effective despite fewer grips

Lachlan Giles demonstrated RDLR effectiveness at ADCC, using analytical approach to systematize the position for no-gi competition.

MMA and Self-Defense

RDLR has limited but real MMA application:

MMA Considerations

Better than inverted guards (less striking vulnerability)
Works for creating distance and standing up
Sweeps lead to top position
Guard retention prevents ground-and-pound
Must modify for striking threats

Self-Defense: More applicable than berimbolo or inverted positions, but still inferior to standing up quickly. Use RDLR to create space, then disengage.

Common RDLR Mistakes

Passive Hook

Hook exists but doesn’t actively control:

The Problem

Opponent easily removes inactive hook
No base disruption
Position becomes uncomfortable leg placement without function

The Solution

Pull their leg toward centerline constantly
Push their hip away with your foot
Create active tension through hook
Think of hook as steering wheel, not decoration

No Ankle Control

Allowing opponent free leg movement:

Result

They create distance
Hook becomes ineffective
RDLR collapses before you can attack

Fix

Grip ankle BEFORE establishing full RDLR
Never release ankle grip
If grip breaks, immediately re-establish or transition

This is the #1 blue belt mistake I see. They get the hook right but ignore ankle control.

Staying Flat

Letting opponent flatten your shoulders to mat:

Issue

Kills your mobility
Makes sweeps impossible
Opens you to smash passes

Correction

Keep shoulders off mat
Maintain active hips
Angle body away from center
Move constantly—don’t stay static

Wrong Guard for Wrong Situation

Using RDLR when other guards work better:

Problem

Forcing RDLR against standing opponents (use standing guards instead)
Using RDLR when DLR has better angle
Fighting for lost positions

Better Approach

Recognize when RDLR works optimally
Transition fluidly between guard variations
Accept that no single guard solves every problem

Elite competitors chain multiple guards together. RDLR is one tool in complete guard system.

The RDLR Legacy: Defensive Innovation Becomes Offensive Weapon

From emergency DLR counter to systematic guard position, Reverse De La Riva guard represents modern BJJ’s evolution toward specialized positional solutions for specific tactical problems.

What began as defensive adjustment when opponents countered traditional DLR became a complete positional system championed by world-class competitors like Caio Terra, Lachlan Giles, and Dante Leon. The inside hook that was initially just “the other way to hook” proved to have unique mechanical properties that counter aggressive passing in ways the original DLR cannot.

RDLR’s greatest strength lies in its versatility—it works as standalone guard, as DLR complement, as passing defense, and as platform for modern guard transitions. Whether you’re blue belt learning guard retention or black belt perfecting competition systems, RDLR provides defensive insurance and offensive pathways that function across weight classes, rule sets, and skill levels.

The position demonstrates a fundamental BJJ truth: innovation often comes from necessity. When aggressive passers developed DLR counters, guard players responded with RDLR. When passers develop RDLR counters, guard players will evolve again. This ongoing tactical dialogue drives technical development forward.

Mastering RDLR fundamentals creates foundation for exploring complete modern guard systems—from De La Riva guard to berimbolo inversions to single leg X variations that define contemporary competition.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through instructional content from black belt specialists including Lachlan Giles, Caio Terra, and contemporary RDLR practitioners. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts who use RDLR in tournament settings. Strategic applications based on IBJJF, ADCC, and no-gi competition footage analysis.

Sources Referenced:

Digitsu RDLR fundamentals technical breakdown
Lachlan Giles RDLR inversion instructional content
Caio Terra RDLR sweeping systems
BJJ Fanatics technical analysis
Contemporary competition footage (2015-2025)
ADCC and IBJJF world championship applications

Last Updated: January 9, 2026

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