What is the Berimbolo?
The berimbolo inverts from a De La Riva or reverse De La Riva hook, rolls under the opponent’s base, and climbs to the back. It is less a single move than a family of inverted back-take mechanics that punish standing passers who overcommit weight on the hooked leg.
Establish Hook and Grips
Do not invert empty.
- Lock DLR or RDLR on the lead leg
- Control ankle/pants and a sleeve or collar
- Angle hips so their weight sits on the hooked side
- Hide space that would let them drag the leg free
Invert and Roll Under
- Invert while keeping the hook and ankle connection
- Roll under their base toward the back exposure
- Pull with upper-body grips to stay glued
- Prevent them from stepping out mid-roll
Climb to Back Control
Arrive with hooks, not just a seatbelt.
- Secure seatbelt as the back squares up
- Insert the first hook, then the second or a body triangle
- Chest-to-back connection before hunting the choke
- Reset to a sweep/top position if the back climb fails cleanly
Key Grips & Control Points
- DLR or RDLR hook with ankle or pant control
- Sleeve, collar, or wrist connection to steer the roll
- Secondary grip that prevents them from clearing the hook mid-inversion
- Seatbelt readiness as soon as the back exposes
Timing & Movement Cues
- Invert when their weight loads the hooked lead leg
- Roll as they posture to pass rather than when they are light and mobile
- Climb hooks immediately when the back square appears
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Keep the hook and ankle grip through the roll — empty inversions get smashed
- Use upper-body grips to pull yourself onto the back, not just spin under
- Insert the first hook before celebrating the seatbelt
Typical Counters to Expect
- Leg drag before the inversion settles
- Knee-cut pressure that splits the legs mid-roll
- Standing tall and clearing the ankle grip early
Follow-Up Options
- Back control with hooks or body triangle
- Fifty-fifty or other entanglements if the back climb fails
- Sweep to top if they post and you come up instead of taking the back
Setups & Entries
- Classic DLR with sleeve and ankle when they step a heavy lead
- Reverse DLR entries that already face the inside line
- Force a reaction with a sit-up sweep threat, then invert behind it
Training Drills
- Controlled inversion drills from static DLR (mobility first)
- Berimbolo entries ending in seatbelt + one hook
- Counter rounds where the passer only leg-drags or clears the ankle
Coaching Notes
- Hook and grips before inversion — always
- The goal is the back, not the roll highlight
- Train neck safety and mat awareness; inversions need progressive drilling
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Berimbolo is controlled inversion from DLR/RDLR to the back. Keep the hook and grips, roll under loaded weight, and climb seatbelt plus hooks — the roll is only the path.