Berimbolo

[Mike Nall]

What do you guys think about the Rafa style grip on the ankle of the DLR'd leg versus the uppercut type grip? Here's a video of someone advocating the uppercut grip:

Rafa does the underhooking the shin/uppercut grip on the kiss of the dragon style (reverse berimbolo) inversion to the back. He still uses the uppercut for the regular berimolo too. He uses both, but the one of the reasons he doesn't use the grip shown is that in the IBJJF now you can get DQ'd for reaping the knee in certain underhooking the shin situations.

Plus, the way Rafa teaches it the hooking arm doesn't really help or hurt the inversion. So not taking into account the rules you should do what's most comfortable for you.

[Jack Hanley]

Rafa does the underhooking the shin/uppercut grip on the kiss of the dragon style (reverse berimbolo) inversion to the back.

On the KOTD/Reverse Berimbolo/Spiral Guard Sweep, you mean that Rafa does it with the far arm in front of the shin like in the video below, as opposed to with the near arm as in the berimbolo video above, right?

That's the way I do it, also. For me, one difference between the berimbolo underhook/uppercut grip and the KOTD underhook/uppercut grip is that on the KOTD I start out with my knuckles facing his ankle (thumb up) and then switch it so that my palm is facing his ankle (thumb down) as soon as I invert. It think Jason Scully shows the same thing below at 2:04.

[Mike Nall]

On the KOTD/Reverse Berimbolo/Spiral Guard Sweep, you mean that Rafa does it with the far arm in front of the shin like in the video below, as opposed to with the near arm as in the berimbolo video above, right?

That's the way I do it, also. For me, one difference between the berimbolo underhook/uppercut grip and the KOTD underhook/uppercut grip is that on the KOTD I start out with my knuckles facing his ankle (thumb up) and then switch it so that my palm is facing his ankle (thumb down) as soon as I invert. It think Jason Scully shows the same thing below at 2:04.

Yes, Rafa always mirrors his grips, gi or no-gi. So if he had DLR he has a sleeve and collar grip, and then if he goes berimbolo, he would use his left hand/arm to wrap the ankle if his left leg is the DLR hook. If he has the RDLR, and his right leg is through, he would have sleeve and collar grips on the other side, or use the right arm to underhook when rolling through for the KOTD.

He's quick to point out that when underhooking the shin for KOTD, make sure you use your free hand in front of your face to stop them from being able to cross-face you. Two very good matches to watch are his ADCC matches with Cobrinha in 2009, and Bruno Frazatto in 2011. He does a ton of RDLR inversions in both, sometimes underhooking the shin and sometimes not.

Mendesbros.com has a lot of good no-gi rolling footage for that stuff as well. Nice video by Scully! Thanks!

[Jack Hanley]

Rafa vs. Cobrinha in the ADCC 2009 final does have KOTD attempts by both. But, it is kind of a painful match to watch. There is a 14 minute stretch where they don't really go to the ground at all, and Rafa games his way out of at least 3 or 4 heel hooks by rolling out of bounds. One interesting thing about that match to me is that Shawn Williams is doing the commentating and the KOTD move is so new that he doesn't even really know what to call it.

[Mike Nall]

Rafa vs. Cobrinha in the ADCC 2009 final does have KOTD attempts by both. But, it is kind of a painful match to watch. There is a 14 minute stretch where they don't really go to the ground at all, and Rafa games his way out of at least 3 or 4 heel hooks by rolling out of bounds. One interesting thing about that match to me is that Shawn Williams is doing the commentating and the KOTD move is so new that he doesn't even really know what to call it.

The stretch where nothing happened is the first OT and the first half of the 2nd OT, where no one could pull guard without losing a negative point. That did suck, but I think all in all, the 25 minutes of crazy action makes it an easy contender for the most exciting no-gi match ever. It's definitely the most exciting match between those 2. I hate the KOTD name lol. I think a move with that title should be a Seagal style neck break! I just usually call it a RDLR inversion.

It's really cool if you watch Cobrinha at the 07 and 08 nogi worlds you can see him developing the position back then.

[Mike Nall]

Rafa vs. Cobrinha in the ADCC 2009 final does have KOTD attempts by both. But, it is kind of a painful match to watch. There is a 14 minute stretch where they don't really go to the ground at all, and Rafa games his way out of at least 3 or 4 heel hooks by rolling out of bounds. One interesting thing about that match to me is that Shawn Williams is doing the commentating and the KOTD move is so new that he doesn't even really know what to call it.

BTW here's a cool clip of Mario Reis using the KOTD back in 2003

[Cora Sek]

wow...great technique, have got to put this on the to do list.

[Jack Hanley]

I hate the KOTD name lol.

I agree 100%. I usually call it the Spiral Guard Sweep.

[gandalf]

Check out how miyao reaches all the way under the DLH hooked leg to grab his own thigh

[gandalf]

ttt