De La Riva guard : from Japan to Brazil

Summary

The video delves into the evolution of the De La Hiva Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tracing its origins from early judo techniques in the 20th century to its popularization by Ricardo De La Hiva in the 1980s. The guard gained prominence through a key match against Hoyler Gracie in 1986, showcasing its effectiveness. Over the years, the De La Hiva Guard has evolved with new techniques like the Berimbolo, reverse De La Hiva, and lapel guards, continuing to shape modern Jiu-Jitsu. Despite its non-combative nature, the guard remains a symbol of creativity and technical brilliance in the sport.

Takeaways

• 😀 The De La Hiva guard is one of the most prominent open guard variations in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a long history of evolution over decades.
• 😀 The De La Hiva guard's roots can be traced back to early 20th-century judo, particularly from the work of Sunitani Oda and his innovations in grappling techniques.
• 😀 The guard was significantly developed in Brazil, where Ricardo de la Hiva, a featherweight competitor, adapted it to keep larger opponents at bay.
• 😀 De La Hiva’s use of the guard against Hoyler Gracie in the 1980s (Kopa Kantao final) brought the guard into the mainstream and showcased its effectiveness against top-tier competition.
• 😀 The term 'Pudding Guard' (Garda Pudima) was used humorously in Brazil due to the effect of the guard on opponents’ stability and posture, causing them to wobble like pudding.
• 😀 The De La Hiva guard involves a specific hook with the leg, grips with the hands, and pushing/pulling motions that help maintain control and avoid guard passing.
• 😀 Key to mastering the De La Hiva guard is moving to the side to maintain a tight hook, a principle that has remained consistent throughout its evolution.
• 😀 Over the years, variations such as the Berimbolo, Reverse De La Hiva, and No-Gi De La Hiva have been added, significantly expanding the guard's technical repertoire.
• 😀 Although not ideal for self-defense situations, the De La Hiva guard’s creative potential and the evolution of techniques like the Berimbolo are considered a beautiful part of the sport.
• 😀 Recent developments, such as the Reverse De La Worm Guard (incorporating the lapel), have further advanced the De La Hiva guard's potential, even with contributions from figures like Keenan Cornelius and the Meow brothers.

Q & A

What is the *De La Riva Guard*, and why is it considered one of the greatest guards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

The *De La Riva Guard* is an open guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where one leg hooks around the opponent's outer thigh, and the practitioner grips their opponent's pants, belt, or collar for control. It is considered one of the greatest guards due to its versatility, effectiveness in both sweeps and submissions, and its ability to maintain distance from the opponent, especially for lighter practitioners.

What is the historical origin of the *De La Riva Guard*?

The *De La Riva Guard* has roots in judo, with early instances of the guard being seen in the 1940s through footage of Sunitani Oda using a hook and executing a *Tomoe Nage* throw. While the guard wasn't necessarily invented at that time, it evolved significantly through judo and grappling techniques.

How did the *De La Riva Guard* make its way from Japan to Brazil?

The *De La Riva Guard* was brought to Brazil by practitioners who studied judo and its techniques. Ricardo de la Hiva, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, was particularly influenced by old judo footage, which led him to incorporate the guard into his own training to control larger, stronger opponents.

Why was the *De La Riva Guard* initially called 'Garda Pudima' or 'Pudding Guard'?

The *De La Riva Guard* was initially called 'Garda Pudima' or 'Pudding Guard' due to the way opponents' legs would start to wobble when trying to pass it. This wobbling motion, resembling the softness and instability of pudding, inspired the name.

What was the significance of the 1986 match between Ricardo de la Hiva and Hoyler Gracie?

The 1986 match between Ricardo de la Hiva and Hoyler Gracie was pivotal in popularizing the *De La Riva Guard*. Despite Hoyler's legendary status, de la Hiva effectively used the guard to prevent Hoyler from passing, drawing significant attention to the guard's potential.

What are the key techniques associated with the *De La Riva Guard*?

The key techniques associated with the *De La Riva Guard* include sweeps, such as the classic *Tomoe Nage*, controlling the opponent with grips on their belt or pants, and pushing with the foot on the ground. More advanced techniques like the *Barambolo* and *Reverse De La Riva* have also been developed from this guard.

What is a *Barambolo*, and how is it related to the *De La Riva Guard*?

A *Barambolo* is a sweeping technique that transitions from the *De La Riva Guard* into a back take. It has become one of the most popular and advanced techniques in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, demonstrating the guard's evolution beyond its original form.

What is the *Reverse De La Riva*, and how does it differ from the traditional *De La Riva Guard*?

The *Reverse De La Riva* is a variation of the *De La Riva Guard* where the practitioner's leg is positioned on the inside of the opponent’s leg, rather than the outside. This creates an inside position, allowing for different sweeps and submissions compared to the traditional outside hook of the *De La Riva Guard*.

How did the *De La Riva Guard* contribute to the evolution of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

The *De La Riva Guard* played a major role in the evolution of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by encouraging the development of new sweeps, submissions, and positional control strategies. It has led to innovative techniques like the *Barambolo*, reverse guards, and the *De La Worm Guard*, making BJJ more dynamic and creative.

Why did Ricardo de la Hiva express surprise at how much the guard evolved over time?

Ricardo de la Hiva expressed surprise at the evolution of the guard because he never anticipated that it would develop into such a highly technical and intricate system with various advanced variations, like the *Barambolo* and *De La Worm Guard*, which became key aspects of modern BJJ competition.