De la Riva Guard to Crab Ride Back Take - Gi

Master the modern De la Riva counter chain from open guard to back control! This 12 second Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sequence demonstrates a high-level transition starting from the bottom open guard. The guard player establishes a De la Riva hook, uses a tripod sweep entry to force the passer off-balance, and as the passer attempts to clear or invert, seamlessly counters with a deep Crab Ride entry to take the back. It highlights precise leg positioning and dynamic back-exposure timing.

This sequence is an advanced attacking chain that punishes passers who try to scramble or turn away when defending lower-body sweeps.

How and When to Practice

Struggling against opponents who defend your basic De la Riva or Tripod sweeps by turning their hips away or scrambling? This Crab Ride back take is the ultimate counter. Practice this flow to learn how to turn your opponent’s defensive movement into your back-take pathway. The key detail is using your De la Riva hook and foot on the hip to disrupt their base, then immediately pummeling your leg behind their knee into the Crab Ride position as they try to recover. Drill this 2-3 times per week to master the fluid inversion and hip rotation needed to take the back cleanly without losing control.

Steps: The De la Riva to Crab Ride Back Take Sequence

1. Establish De la Riva and Initiate the Sweep Threat

Starting from bottom open guard against a standing opponent:

• Secure an outside De la Riva hook around your opponent's lead leg while controlling their heel or ankle.
• Place your opposite foot on their hip or knee to establish a Tripod Sweep setup, pushing and pulling to force their weight backward.
• Use the off-balancing action to force them to react or turn their hips to maintain balance.

2. Invert and Enter the Crab Ride

• As the opponent turns away or drops to defend the sweep, roll over your shoulder to invert underneath their center of gravity.
• Pummel both of your feet behind the opponent's knees, using a dual-hook Crab Ride position to trap their hips and control their legs.
• Keep your hips close to theirs, ensuring they cannot step out or kick free from the control.

3. Extend and Expose the Back

• Use your Crab Ride hooks to push out behind their knees, forcing their hips to touch the mat.
• As their hips land on the mat, pull their upper body toward you to create space for your top hook.
• Maintain tight waist control or a seatbelt grip to keep their chest glued to your chest.

4. Secure Seatbelt Control and Finish Back Take

• Throw your top leg over their hip to establish your first hook, followed quickly by the second hook.
• Lock in a strong seatbelt grip (one arm over the shoulder, one arm under the armpit) and bring your hips flush against theirs.
• Solidify full back control, ready to begin your choke or arm-isolation attacks.

How to Drill It

Start by practicing the inversion flow into the Crab Ride hooks from a static position with your partner kneeling or quarter-turtled. Once the inversion feels smooth, add the entry from the De la Riva / Tripod sweep setup. Spend 5 minutes drilling the full sequence on one side before switching sides.

When to Use

Use this transition when your opponent actively attempts to turn away, turn their back, or invert out of your De la Riva and Tripod sweep attempts. Instead of trying to force a basic sweep, follow their rotation, dive underneath their hips, and take their back.

Why It Works

This attack works because it bypasses the opponent's primary guard-passing frames. By pairing the foot-on-hip push of the tripod sweep with an immediate inversion into the Crab Ride, you negate their base and bypass their legs entirely, taking away their ability to turn back into your guard.

Common Mistakes

• Losing Hip Proximity: Inverting too far away from the opponent's legs. You must keep your hips tight against their hamstrings to establish strong Crab Ride hooks.
• Releasing Ankle Control Too Soon: Letting go of the leg or ankle grip before your hooks are fully established behind their knees.
• Hesitating on the Inversion: Pausing mid-roll, which gives the passer time to flatten you out and pass around your head.

Related Techniques & Chains

• Chain: If the opponent prevents the inversion by dropping their weight heavily onto your legs, switch immediately to a Berimbolo or a classic Tripod Sweep finish.

FAQ

What should I do if the opponent turns completely flat into a tight turtle position during the inversion?

If they drop straight into a turtle position, maintain your Crab Ride hooks to elevate their legs, slide one hook into a hook-in back-take or truck position, and roll them onto their side to secure your seatbelt and hooks.

Difficulty

Advanced

In Action

Notice how seamlessly the bottom player flows from the initial sweep attempt straight into the inversion to take the back. Master the Crab Ride hooks and turn your opponent's defense into your best submission setups!