Discovering (Ricardo) De La Riva

Friday, 27 August 2010 15:11

When people ask you what type of game you play everybody is different. I think right now I play 'Defensive Jiu Jitsu' where I work mostly off my back. I do have a top game but most of the time I like to use an open guard to keep my opponent from attacking and I look for a sweep.

Professor Britto introduced his students to the 'De La Riva Guard' within a short time of him coming from Brazil to Toronto. It's an open guard where 1 foot is hooked behind 1 knee of an opponent and you are controlling his ankle and or sleeves with your hands while using your other foot to help to manipulate or position your partner. It really suits guys with long legs.

The De La Riva Guard itself, like any other guard, has many sweeps, submissions and dangerous places that you can bring your opponent into. You can get to the back very fast if you can figure out the technique. It's very technical and it has captured my attention.

I feel the De La Riva Guard naturally happening and after about 40 months of training Jiu Jitsu it's becoming part of my game so with that being said I am learning more about the man who brought it to life - A Carlos Gracie Black Belt - Ricardo De La Riva (picture)

Part of the Old Skool...Ricardo became famous by beating Royler (video below) for the "Cantão Cup" and he also defeated Rolker and Royce in competition. With his smaller physique he found a way to survive in aggressive fights by fighting mostly from the bottom and preventing his stronger opponents from passing. This led to his innovation: the De La Riva guard position. I have been watching his fights on YouTube...and I noticed that our bodies and pace are very similar. I feel a connection here.

And so it begins...my journey into De La Riva...

Want to know more?

Link Party:

De La Riva Facts and Bio @BJJHEROES.com

The 5 Most Imporant Techniques from the 'de la Riva Guard' @ GRAPPLEARTS.com

De La Riva (Canada) on facebook