The Berimbolo Everyone Can Do

The berimbolo is both one of the most hated and most loved techniques that have ever come to Jiu Jitsu. Those who dislike the technique claim that it can’t be used in MMA and self defense while those who love it see it is a great innovative way to take the back. Realistically, both are true and there is no reason to hate it or love it, because every technique can be criticized and praised. 

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The berimbolo is a back take that starts from de la riva guard. It requires the guard player to sweep their opponent to their side. From here, the attacker will keep the de la riva position, invert under the defender and find their way to the back. There is a lot of complexity that goes with this technique and tons of details, partly why people find it so intriguing.

Unfortunately, many grapplers who see the berimbolo immediately think that they can not do that technique. But there is a version of the berimbolo that can be done by anyone and requires zero inversion. If you understand that the berimbolo is a fancy way of getting to the crab ride position, you will see why it works so well. 

This version of the berimbolo I am discussing is called the babybolo and also starts in de la riva guard. In the following video, you will see how this technique can be done. 

The babybolo, just like the berimbolo, is a great way to find yourself in the crab ride position. The difference is that, in the babybolo, the crab ride is against a standing opponent while it is in a seated and much more confusing position in the berimbolo. They are, however, technically the same position.

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After establishing the crab ride position, students make a common mistake of letting go of the hips briefly, allowing the defender to escape. In order to prevent this from happening, it is important to control the defender’s hips and legs at all times by moving your grips one at a time and quickly.

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