Jiu-Jitsu is learning your ABs: to produce eloquent phrases, you have to learn the letters first. Publicity photo.

Jiu-Jitsu, as GRACIEMAG readers know, is like learning the alphabet. First the vowels, the A before the U, then the consonants and so on and so forth.

For good Jiu-Jitsu guard players, it’s advisable that they sharpen up the de la Rva guard before learning the ins and outs of the berimbolo or other more brazen maneuvers.

THE TRICK IS TO PUSH THE KNEE

In this video, black belt Olavo Abreu, a teacher in Thailand, teaches to sweep from de la Riva guard, underscoring the importance of breaking the opponent’s posture and pushing the knee to compete the movement. Watch how it’s done, and practice at the gym.