We ranked the best Reverse De La Riva (RDLR) instructionals on BJJ Fanatics using r/bjj sentiment, structure, applicability, instructor authority, and production quality.
A quick reality check: most experienced practitioners treat RDLR as a transitional position, not a primary guard. As u/Kazparov put it on r/bjj: “Offense here is limited. Think of it as a stopover in getting back to DLR or X or Collar sleeve.” u/munkie15 agreed: “It’s a good transitional position, but not a great foundational position.” The best RDLR instructionals reflect this by teaching RDLR as a hub connecting to leg entanglements, back takes, and other guards rather than a place to camp out.
No Gi Open Guard Volume 3: RDLR & Leg Entanglements
A structured RDLR-to-leg entanglement system with clear options to invert or stay upright.
The Reverse De La Riva System
A deep, organized RDLR playbook that works in gi and no-gi.
Modern Reverse De La Riva
A compact, modern RDLR game you can apply this week.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 No Gi Open Guard Volume 3: RDLR & Leg Entanglements by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 24 minutes
Volumes: 8
Biggest takeaway: Connect RDLR to legs
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, 70 30, X Guard
- The Reverse De La Riva System – Gi and no-gi coverage with deep detail.
- Modern Reverse De La Riva – Compact RDLR game you can apply fast.
- Inside Guard Secrets RDLR & The False Reap – Modern false reap and back-side entries.
Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World gave the full bundle an 8.5/10, praising its “pristine organization.” Volume 3 specifically covers RDLR to SLX transitions, RDLR to X-guard entries, 70/30 guard entries, inside and outside inversions, K-guard combinations, and heel hook finishing from multiple ashi positions. Lachlan himself described it on Reddit: “This series focuses on Reverse De La Riva and leg entanglements: SLX, X guard, 70/30, and 50/50. In addition to narrated rolling related to these topics, it also has an hour of me rolling using the whole open guard system.” You get both inverting and non-inverting paths, plus drills and troubleshooting for each.
✅ Pros
- Connects RDLR to SLX, X-guard, 50/50, 70/30, and K-guard with clear decision trees for each.
- Addresses three opponent levels (standing, half-kneeling, kneeling) with separate chapters. u/DooMZie on r/bjj: “His are the best I’ve watched. I particularly appreciate him getting to the point.”
- Includes narrated rolling, bullet-point summaries, and drills. u/Chandlerguitar: “He was voted as the best instructor on reddit for a reason.”
⚠️ Cons
- No-gi and leglock-only. Gi players wanting sleeve grip work should look at Mikey Musumeci’s RDLR System ($197) instead.
- Part of a 17+ hour mega-series. u/Rough_North3592 on r/bjj: “His anthologies are great but you have to know what you are looking for, otherwise you get lost in the vast content.”
- u/DAcareBEARs, who plays RDLR frequently, preferred Kieran Kichuk’s set: “I’m a huge Lachlan fan and play RDLR very very frequently. I prefer Kieran’s plus it obviously covers the false reap too.”
💡 I saw students progress faster when they chose the non-inverting branch first, then layered inversion only for matches that demanded it. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Reverse De La Riva System by Mikey Musumeci
Instructor: Mikey Musumeci
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 34 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Control before attacks
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, Kiss Of The Dragon, Berimbolo
- Spider Guard Following The Legacy Part 2: Spider Reverse De La Riva - Gi-focused RDLR with spider and lasso integration.
- No Gi Reverse De La Riva - Quicker no-gi RDLR with knee-shield synergy.
- Modern Reverse De La Riva - Shorter set to implement fast.
Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World rated this 9.5/10, calling it "the best-formatted BJJ sweep instructional I've ever seen." Part 1 covers RDLR control points with the "three boxes" organizational model. Part 2 teaches sweep timing based on opponent reactions (hook removal via lifting or pushing, hip frames). Part 3 is the longest section: back exposure through Kiss of the Dragon, flanking with hooks, and Berimbolo attacks. Part 4 chains Triangle-Omoplata combinations and kneebars after sweeps and back attacks. Dense material that rewards focused study blocks.
✅ Pros
- The "three boxes" model organizes attacks into tripod sweeps, back exposure (Kiss of the Dragon, Berimbolo), and submissions (Triangle-Omoplata, kneebar).
- BJJ World's highest-rated RDLR set at 9.5/10. u/cognitiveflow on r/bjj recommends "Gi, Mikey Musumeci" for RDLR.
- Primarily gi but the positional concepts carry over to no-gi contexts.
⚠️ Cons
- u/Serizilla_602 on r/bjj: "Insane level of detail but have to sit through long explanations of body mechanics to explain 1 sweep. Have to be in the right mood to digest it all."
- At $197, it costs more than double Jason Rau's set ($79) which covers core no-gi RDLR in a fraction of the time.
- Lacks the leg entanglement depth (50/50, 70/30, SLX transitions) that Lachlan Giles covers in his RDLR volume.
💡 I got more value by watching one chapter, drilling it a week, and only then moving on to the next box. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #3 Modern Reverse De La Riva by Jason Rau
Instructor: Jason Rau
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Master the off-balance
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, False Reap, 50/50
- Inside Guard Secrets RDLR & The False Reap - Adds a modern false reap lens.
- No Gi Reverse De La Riva - More drills and knee-shield integration.
- RDLR & Leg Entanglements - Deeper leg entanglement structure.
Jason Rau is a first-degree black belt under Matt Serra, and BJJ World describes his teaching style as "simple and understandable" with "step by step progressions" and "no time-wasting." u/cognitiveflow on r/bjj recommends: "Nogi, I like Jason Rau" for RDLR. u/HotSeamenGG adds: "It's pretty short and to the point regarding the specific entries into leg entanglements and how to adjust vs standing opponent vs kneeling. Also the inversion is relatively easy." You cover off-balance sequences, inversion entries, back takes, 50/50 transitions, heel hook setups, and false reap as a backup option.
✅ Pros
- At $79 for 1h25m, best value per minute of any RDLR set on this page. u/CommunicationSure839 on r/bjj: "Great technique you can add straight away to your game!"
- Covers adjustments for standing vs kneeling opponents, plus far-side entries without forcing inversion.
- Shows the Matt Serra / Renzo Gracie influence: transitions between attacks feel effortless and drill-ready.
⚠️ Cons
- At 1h25m total, advanced troubleshooting is limited. Lachlan Giles covers the same pathways in 5+ hours with more depth.
- u/CommunicationSure839 notes it's best "if you are already good at the position" - not ideal for RDLR beginners.
- Less false reap coverage than Kieran Kichuk's set, which pairs RDLR and false reap as a complete system for the same $79 price.
💡 I saw the off-balance sequences unlock far-side entries without forcing inversion, especially for older athletes. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #4 Inside Guard Secrets RDLR & The False Reap by Kieran Kichuk
Instructor: Kieran Kichuk
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 13 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Balance before legs
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, False Reap, Wrestle Up
- Modern Reverse De La Riva - More concise, similar pathways.
- No Gi Reverse De La Riva - Adds knee-shield and wrestle-up drills.
- Reverse De La Riva: A Precise Guide - Broader RDLR fundamentals without heavy false reap.
This is the only RDLR set on this page that pairs Reverse De La Riva with the false reap as a unified system. u/DAcareBEARs on r/bjj owns both Lachlan's and Kieran's sets and prefers Kieran's despite being "a huge Lachlan fan." The connection matters because modern no-gi RDLR increasingly overlaps with what Craig Jones calls "pendejo guard." As u/ciqzyy explains: "With RDLR it is easier to invert inside the leg to get into 50/50 or get the back; with Pendejo it is easier to invert outside the leg into false reap." Kichuk teaches grips, off-balances, and wrestle-ups before entering legs, making false reap a structured option rather than a scramble.
✅ Pros
- The only set combining RDLR and false reap at $79. Blue belt competitors on r/bjj study Kieran's false reap entries for NAGA tournaments.
- Wrestle-up options from RDLR give you a Plan B when leg entries stall. u/nickvdk808: "Kieran Kichuk's nogi is solid."
- Covers the most modern interpretation of RDLR, where the position connects to both inside inversions (50/50, back) and outside inversions (false reap).
⚠️ Cons
- False reap involves reaping, so IBJJF gi rules severely limit half this instructional. Gi players should look at Mikey Musumeci's set instead.
- No back take depth. Mikey Musumeci's Part 3 covers Kiss of the Dragon and Berimbolo in far more detail.
- Less known instructor than Lachlan Giles or Mikey Musumeci. No BJJ World review exists for this specific set, so independent validation is thinner.
💡 I found the wrestle-up branches the safest way to add finishing pressure without over-committing to leg entanglements. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Forging The Guard: Reverse De La Riva by Giancarlo Bodoni
Instructor: Giancarlo Bodoni
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Frames create offense
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, Guard Retention, Single Leg X
- RDLR & Leg Entanglements - Broader leg entanglement pathways.
- Modern Reverse De La Riva - Concise alternatives to similar outcomes.
- No Gi Reverse De La Riva - More drills and knee-shield layers.
Bodoni is a 2x ADCC World Champion, and his competitive pedigree is unquestionable. Ognen Dzabirski at BJJ World reviewed the DLR version of this series at 8/10, noting it covers foot positioning, knee pummeling, ashi exposure leading to sweeps and X-guard entries, K-guard bolos, and inversions into backside 50/50. The RDLR version focuses on frame-based entries against pressure passers, guard retention linked to immediate offense, and RDLR against knee-cuts and long steps.
✅ Pros
- Frames and entries fit modern no-gi passing styles.
- Structured for pressure-heavy training rooms.
- Retention links directly to scoring options.
⚠️ Cons
- At $197 for 2h50m, this is the worst price-per-minute of any RDLR set on this page. Lachlan Giles offers 5h24m for $99.
- Kieran Kichuk (also B-Team connected) covers similar modern no-gi RDLR for $79, less than half the price.
- Bodoni's competitive authority is elite, but his teaching reputation is less established. Back takes get less time than leg routes.
💡 I used the retention chapters as a weekly warm-up to make the entries automatic under pressure. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 No Gi Reverse De La Riva by Dante Leon
Instructor: Dante Leon
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 14 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Pair RDLR with knee-shield
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, Knee Shield, Wrestle Up
- Reverse De La Riva Formula Made Easy - Older set with a broader fundamentals flavor.
- Modern Reverse De La Riva - Tighter off-balance focus.
- RDLR & Leg Entanglements - More systematic leg entanglements.
Dante Leon is a BJJ World Champion recognized as a no-gi RDLR specialist. His recommendation on r/bjj came with the highest upvote count in a major RDLR thread: u/bmaf78 said "Dante Leon's is great" (24 upvotes). Andrew Wiltse (u/december6) lists Dante Leon alongside himself and Lachlan Giles as top no-gi RDLR players. The set pairs RDLR with knee-shield, straight ankle locks from RDLR, and wrestle-up options. Note: Dante also has an older set ("Reverse De La Riva Formula Made Easy") on BJJ Fanatics, so verify you're buying the right one.
✅ Pros
- The wrestle-up options help win close rounds.
- Transitions between guards are intuitively taught.
- Balanced mix of upper and lower-body finishes.
⚠️ Cons
- At $97, it costs $18 more than Jason Rau ($79) and Kieran Kichuk ($79) for similar scope.
- Less modern than false reap-focused sets. Kieran Kichuk and Craig Jones cover the RDLR-to-false-reap connection that Dante skips.
- His older set ("Formula Made Easy") is also on BJJ Fanatics, creating buyer confusion about which to purchase.
💡 I saw blue and purple belts click with RDLR once they started every exchange with the knee-shield frames first. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Reverse De La Riva: A Precise Guide by Junny Ocasio
Instructor: Junny Ocasio
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 8 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Fundamentals drive finishes
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, Back Takes, Leg Entanglements
- Inside Guard Secrets RDLR & The False Reap - Adds false reap detail if your rules allow.
- Modern Reverse De La Riva - More compact and off-balance heavy.
- No Gi Reverse De La Riva - Stronger wrestle-up branches.
Junny Ocasio is known for precision technique and leg locking systems. BJJ World reviewed his other sets: "The Z Lock" (8/10 by Ognen Dzabirski) and "How To Knee Cut." His RDLR set covers fundamental concepts, back controls from RDLR, and entries to 50/50 and 70/30. Fair warning: this set has virtually no independent community reviews on r/bjj, making it hard to validate against the competition.
✅ Pros
- The summaries keep study sessions focused.
- Back-take options are practical for lighter weights.
- The entries avoid reckless leg diving.
⚠️ Cons
- Least community discussion of any set on this page. No named reviewer has publicly endorsed the RDLR-specific set.
- At a similar price to Jason Rau ($79), Rau's set has far more community validation from named r/bjj users.
- More of a niche pick for people who already own Junny's other material (Z Lock, Precision Leg Entanglements) and want his specific approach.
💡 I liked using the end-of-section summaries as a quick pre-roll primer. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 Spider Guard Following The Legacy Part 2: Spider Reverse De La Riva by Lucas Valente
Instructor: Lucas Valente
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 7 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Grip chains beat pressure
Techniques: Reverse De La Riva, Spider Guard, Lasso Guard
- The Reverse De La Riva System - Covers both gi and no-gi.
- Reverse De La Riva Formula Made Easy - Gi-friendly RDLR fundamentals.
- RDLR & Leg Entanglements - If you eventually go no-gi.
You connect spider and lasso to RDLR with strong collar-and-sleeve control. Sweeps and 50/50 entries flow from pressure shutdowns. It is gi-specific by design.
✅ Pros
- The grip sequences neutralize common gi passes.
- Spider-to-RDLR transitions feel safe and stable.
- Coverage includes sweeps and entries, not just theory.
⚠️ Cons
- Zero independent reviews found anywhere on Reddit, BJJ World, or YouTube. This is the weakest recommendation on the page.
- Spider guard + RDLR is a niche combination. Mikey Musumeci's set ($197) covers gi RDLR with a more established system and a 9.5/10 BJJ World rating.
- Gi-only with no no-gi translation, limiting the audience significantly.
💡 I saw guard players gain confidence once they learned the lasso-to-RDLR grip chain to halt knee-cuts cold. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
Does Reverse De La Riva still work in no-gi?
Yes, but with a caveat. RDLR works best as a transition hub, not a place to camp. As u/9inety9ine puts it on r/bjj: "I only really use it to counter a knee slice or to get to another position. It's not a great place to hang out, the passer has a lot of options."
The key is committing to clear exits: enter 50/50, 70/30, SLX, or wrestle up. Don't hover in RDLR hoping something opens up. u/ciqzyy explains the modern split: "With RDLR it is easier to invert inside the leg to get into 50/50 or get the back; with Pendejo it is easier to invert outside the leg into false reap." If your ruleset allows heel hooks, Kieran Kichuk's set covers both sides of that coin.
Worth noting: Seph Smith's RDLR Almanac (on Digitsu, not BJJ Fanatics) is highly praised on r/bjj. u/RannibalLector: "Seph Smith's RDLR Almanac got me thru blue belt." u/armbarawareness: "Really improved my understanding of both HG and RDLR." It takes a Ryan Hall-influenced conceptual approach and covers half guard shell + RDLR as a connected system. If you want an alternative off BJJ Fanatics, that's worth a look.
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