Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Reverse De La Riva / Reverse X-Guard

Continuing on from the last videos on the cross collar and sleeve grip sweep to half guard pass and gi chokes, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Professor, Stephen "The MMA Performance Professor" Whittier, now describes how to transition into the "revese De La Riva," or "reverse x-guard" position, which is a logical follow-up if your opponent continues to move away from his trapped leg and toward your back from the initial guard position (in the previous videos, where you had both your lower legs locked around his leg on the same side as your cross-collar and sleeve grips).

First, Coach Whittier offers a general point of caution about using any collar grip when you are seated, your opponent is standing, and you do not have your legs locked around his body or leg: there is always the chance of a jump (flying) triangle choke, so you can pre-empt this threat by keeping pulling pressure on your opponent so that he can't posture his head up and throw up his feet and legs.

Next, he demonstrates how to move into the reverse DLR / reverse x-guard position as your opponent steps toward your head. As he tries to settle into position, you will be balled up and on your hip facing away from him, but will take your top arm and scoop under his lower thigh closest to your head (as in a traditional x-guard); your bottom leg will control by having the back of your knee curl around his ankle, and your top leg control will come from the lower shin/instep forming a hook inside his far knee. Be sure to keep your head tight to his leg so that he can't step over. Your bottom hand may also reach under your lower leg and grab the opponent's far ankle.

From here, Coach Whittier points out, many of the same sweeps are available as are from the regular x-guard.

The first, detailed here, is to take your bottom hand and reach up to grab your opponent's far sleeve, trapping it so he has no base. Then, by pulling on the sleeve, bridging your hips and driving with your top leg hook, unbalance him and sweep him over his far shoulder. You will come up to your feet in a kneeling position with an underhook, arms in tight, and ready to launch your own guard pass.