De La Riva guard
An open-guard family that manages a standing leg through hook, distance, and angle.
How to read it
What this entry helps you see
De La Riva guard is better understood as a family of connections than a single pose. The hook, outside leg, grips, and hip angle combine to manage distance and expose directional reactions from a standing passer.
Study cues
- Keep the hook connected without overextending
- Use the free leg to manage distance or off-balance
- Follow the passer with hip angle, not only with the feet
Common errors
- Allowing the knee line to collapse inward
- Staying flat while the passer changes angle
- Treating the hook as the only control