The berimbolo is one of the most revolutionary techniques in modern BJJ. What started as a niche move became a fundamental position that every serious competitor must understand. This guide explains the berimbolo and how to use it effectively.
What Is the Berimbolo?
The berimbolo is a back take from the open guard, specifically from the reverse De La Riva position. Instead of passing the guard, you spin underneath your opponent and take their back. It is unexpected, fast, and highly effective.
History of the Berimbolo
The berimbolo was popularized by the Mendes Brothers and other competitors from Brazil in the early 2010s. It revolutionized how people approached guard passing – suddenly the bottom player had a direct path to the back rather than just sweeping.
The Setup: Reverse De La Riva
Getting to the Position
- Start in open guard
- Opponent stands to pass
- Hook their lead leg with your leg (from outside)
- Control their ankle or pants
- Your other foot goes on their hip
Key Details
- Your hooked leg is outside their leg (reverse of normal DLR)
- You are angled, not square
- Control their posture with grips
Executing the Berimbolo
Step-by-Step
- Invert underneath your opponent (go upside down)
- Your hooked leg becomes a lever
- Use momentum to spin underneath
- Come up behind them
- Establish back control
The Inversion
The inversion is the scary part for beginners. You are intentionally going upside down while someone is standing over you. Trust the technique and commit fully.
Why Berimbolo Works
Unexpected
Passers expect you to try to sweep or submit from guard. They do not expect you to take their back.
Efficient
One motion goes from guard to back. No intermediate positions.
Hard to Counter
Once the inversion starts, the passer must react immediately or lose the position.
Common Mistakes
Incomplete Inversion
Half-committing gets you stuck in a bad position. You must fully invert.
Poor Grip Control
Without controlling their leg/ankle, they can simply step away.
Wrong Angle
If you are too square, the spin does not work. Angle is everything.
Berimbolo Variations
Traditional Berimbolo
The original – invert, spin, take the back.
Berimbolo to Leg Drag
If they counter the back take, transition to leg drag pass position.
Kiss of the Dragon
A related technique that also uses inversion to take the back, but from different entries.
Defending the Berimbolo
Early Prevention
- Do not let them get reverse De La Riva
- Keep your weight back
- Control their hips with your hands
Mid-Technique Counter
- Step over their head as they invert
- Back step to north-south
- Push their hips down to stop the spin
If They Get Your Back
Accept it and focus on defending the choke rather than trying to reverse the position.
Training the Berimbolo
Solo Drills
- Inversion practice against wall
- Granby roll practice
- Core strengthening
Partner Drills
- Slow motion berimbolo
- Drill from established reverse DLR
- Live reps with decreasing resistance
Berimbolo in Competition
The berimbolo is legal in most BJJ competitions (except some juvenile divisions). It is particularly effective because:
- Judges rarely see it coming
- Back control = 4 points
- Leads directly to submission opportunities
Is Berimbolo Right for You?
Learn It If:
- You are flexible and comfortable inverting
- You play open guard frequently
- You compete in submission grappling
- You want to surprise opponents
Skip It If:
- You have back/neck issues
- You are uncomfortable inverting
- You prefer pressure passing styles
- You are just starting BJJ (learn fundamentals first)
Bottom Line
The berimbolo changed BJJ forever. It proved that the guard player could be the aggressor, taking the back rather than waiting to be passed. It requires flexibility and commitment, but mastering it gives you a weapon that works at every level from white belt to black belt world championships.