The Secret to Mastering Berimbolo, De La Riva, and Other Fancy BJJ Sweeps Revealed by a BJJ Legend

Hey guys, Carlos Machado here.

Do you want to master berimbolo, de la riva, and other fancy Brazilian jiu jitsu sweeps?

If so, you are in the right place. In this article, I will show you how to set up, execute, troubleshoot, and drill these sweeps that I have been using for years.

These sweeps are based on the berimbolo, the de la riva guard, and other inverted and spinning movements that can catch your opponents off guard and put you in a dominant position.

I have been training BJJ since I was a kid, under the guidance of some of the legends of the art, such as Helio Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Carlos Gracie Junior, and Crolin Gracie. I have also taught BJJ to many celebrities and champions, such as Chuck Norris, Rafael Lovato Junior, and Travis Lutter. I am here to share with you some of my secrets on how to master berimbolo, de la riva, and other fancy BJJ sweeps.

1. How to Set Up Berimbolo, De La Riva, and Other Fancy BJJ Sweeps

The first step to perform these sweeps is to set them up properly. This means creating angles, off-balancing the opponent, controlling the grips, and inverting. These are the basic principles that apply to all these sweeps.

To create angles, you need to use your hips and legs to move your body sideways or underneath your opponent. This will make it harder for them to base and defend your attacks. To off-balance the opponent, you need to use your arms and legs to pull or push them in different directions. This will make them lose their stability and expose their legs or back. To control the grips, you need to use your hands and feet to secure their sleeves, collars, belts, ankles, or knees.

This will give you leverage and prevent them from escaping or countering your attacks. To invert, you need to use your core strength and flexibility to spin upside-down and change your orientation. This will allow you to attack from unexpected angles and transition from one sweep to master berimbolo, de la riva or other fancy BJJ sweeps.

There are different ways to enter these sweeps from different guards.

For example, from closed guard, you can control both sleeves and put one foot on their hip. Then you can weave your other leg through their lead leg and all the way to their opposite hip. This is called the deep de la riva guard. From here, you can step on your foot for extra control and use their sleeves like a steering wheel to off-balance them forward or sideways.

From open guard, you can control one sleeve and one collar and put one foot on their biceps. Then you can hook your other foot behind their lead knee. This is called the spider de la riva guard. From here, you can extend your legs to stretch them out and use your collar grip to pull them down.

From butterfly guard, you can control one arm above the elbow with both of your arms. Then you can hook one of their legs with one of yours. This is called the arm drag hook sweep. From here, you can pull their arm across your body and lift their leg with yours.

You can also transition from one sweep to master berimbolo, de la riva or other fancy BJJ sweeps depending on how your opponent reacts.

For example, if they try to stand up from deep de la riva guard, you can switch your hook from their hip to their ankle. Then you can spin underneath them and grab their belt or pants. This is called the berimbolo sweep.

2. How to Execute Berimbolo, De La Riva, and Other Fancy BJJ Sweeps

The second step to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps is to execute them properly. This means following the mechanics of each sweep: berimbolo, de la riva sweep, reverse de la riva sweep, timber sweep, etc.

The berimbolo sweep is one of the most popular and effective fancy sweeps in BJJ. It allows you to take your opponent's back or get on top of them in a dominant position. To perform it and master berimbolo, you need to spin underneath your opponent while controlling their ankle with one hook and their belt or pants with one hand. Then you need to kick your other leg over their head and roll over your shoulder. This will make them roll over their shoulder as well and expose their back. Then you need to follow them and insert your hooks or get on top of them in mount or side control.

I learned this sweep from Samuel Braga, who was one of the first to use it in high-level competition. He showed me how to use it against different types of opponents, such as those who try to base out, sprawl, or counter with a leg lock. He also showed me how to combine it with other sweeps to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps.

The de la riva sweep is another common and powerful fancy sweep in BJJ. It allows you to sweep your opponent over your head or to the side and get on top of them in a dominant position. To perform it and master de la riva, you need to control their sleeve and collar with your hands and hook their lead leg with your foot. Then you need to extend your legs and pull their collar to stretch them out and make them lose their balance. Then you need to lift your hips and swing your other leg over their head or to the side. This will make them fall over you and land on their back or side. Then you need to follow them and get on top of them in mount or side control.

I learned this sweep from Ricardo de la Riva, who is the creator of the de la riva guard. He showed me how to use it against different types of opponents, such as those who try to pass standing, kneeling, or spinning. He also showed me how to combine it with other sweeps to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps.

The reverse de la riva sweep is another effective and fancy sweep in BJJ. It allows you to sweep your opponent backwards or sideways and get on top of them in a dominant position. To perform it and master reverse de la riva, you need to control their sleeve and ankle with your hands and hook their far leg with your foot. Then you need to pull their sleeve and ankle to bring them closer to you and make them lose their balance. Then you need to lift your hips and swing your other leg backwards or sideways. This will make them fall backwards or sideways and land on their back or side. Then you need to follow them and get on top of them in mount or side control.

I learned this sweep from Mario Sperry, who is one of the pioneers of the reverse de la riva guard. He showed me how to use it against different types of opponents, such as those who try to pass by pushing, pulling, or twisting. He also showed me how to combine it with other sweeps to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps.

The timber sweep is another fancy sweep that I like to use in BJJ. It allows you to sweep your opponent sideways and get on top of them in a dominant position. To perform it and master timber sweep, you need to control their sleeve with one hand and hook their far leg with your foot from deep de la riva guard. Then you need to push their sleeve away from you and pull their leg towards you. This will make them lose their balance and fall sideways. Then you need to follow them and get on top of them in mount or side control.

I learned this sweep from Murilo Bustamante, who is one of the innovators of the deep de la riva guard. He showed me how to use it against different types of opponents, such as those who try to pass by stepping, jumping, or sliding. He also showed me how to combine it with other sweeps to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps.

These are just some examples of how to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps. There are many more variations and combinations that you can explore and experiment with.

3. How to Troubleshoot Common Problems

The third step to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps is to troubleshoot common problems that may arise when attempting these sweeps: losing balance, losing grips, getting stuck, getting countered, etc.

Losing balance is one of the most common problems that may occur when trying these sweeps. This can happen if you don't create enough angles, off-balance the opponent, control the grips, or invert properly. To avoid losing balance, you need to make sure that you are always moving your hips and legs in the same direction and pushing your opponent away from you. You also need to use your hooks and grips to pull or push your opponent in different directions and make them lose their stability.

Losing grips is another common problem that may occur when trying these sweeps. This can happen if the opponent breaks your grips, changes their grips, or switches their stance. To avoid losing grips, you need to make sure that you are always gripping firmly but not too tightly, changing your grips as needed, or switching your hooks as needed. You also need to use your feet and hands to secure their sleeves, collars, belts, ankles, or knees and prevent them from escaping or countering your attacks.

Getting stuck is another common problem that may occur when trying these sweeps. This can happen if the opponent blocks your movement, pins your legs, or sprawls on you. To avoid getting stuck, you need to make sure that you are always moving dynamically, freeing your legs, or creating space. You also need to use your core strength and flexibility to spin upside-down and change your orientation and attack from unexpected angles.

Getting countered is another common problem that may occur when trying these sweeps. This can happen if the opponent anticipates your movement, defends your attack, or attacks you back. To avoid getting countered, you need to make sure that you are always timing your movement correctly, attacking with surprise, or escaping the counter. You also need to be prepared for your opponent's reactions and have a plan to deal with each counter.

These are some of the solutions and alternatives for each problem that may arise when trying these sweeps. There are also other ways to deal with these problems depending on the situation.

4. How to Drill Berimbolo, De La Riva, and Other Fancy BJJ Sweeps

The fourth and final step to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps is to drill them regularly and correctly. This means improving muscle memory, increasing speed and accuracy, developing confidence and creativity, etc.

Drilling berimbolo, de la riva, and other fancy BJJ sweeps is very important for mastering them and making them part of your BJJ game. Drilling will help you reinforce the techniques, refine the details, correct the mistakes, and optimize the performance.

There are different drills that can be done solo or with a partner: shadow drilling, flow drilling, positional sparring, specific sparring, etc.

Shadow drilling is a drill that can be done solo without a partner. It involves performing the movements of the sweeps without any resistance or feedback. Shadow drilling is useful for warming up, visualizing the techniques, practicing the mechanics, and improving the coordination.

Flow drilling is a drill that can be done with a partner with minimal resistance or feedback. It involves performing the movements of the sweeps multiple times in a continuous flow. Flow drilling is useful for practicing the details and timing of the techniques, developing muscle memory, and reinforcing the movements.

Positional sparring is a drill that can be done with a partner with some resistance or feedback. It involves performing the movements of the sweeps from specific positions. Positional sparring is useful for exploring all aspects of the techniques, such as submissions, counters, escapes, etc.

Specific sparring is a drill that can be done with a partner with full resistance or feedback. It involves performing one particular sweep over and over again against different opponents. Specific sparring is also useful for exploring all aspects of the technique but it’s more focused on honing one particular sweep.

Drilling is an invaluable tool for improving your BJJ game. It’s important to include some drilling in your training sessions, so you can become more efficient and effective with your techniques. So remember to drill regularly to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps!

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned how to master berimbolo, de la riva and other fancy BJJ sweeps. These sweeps are some of my favorite techniques in BJJ and I hope they will become yours too.

If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy sweeping!