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Kiss-of-the-Dragon Sweep

SweepReverse DLR inversionBelt: purple+Risk: moderateIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-Only

The Kiss-of-the-Dragon sweep is an advanced inversion-based back take from the reverse De La Riva guard. It enables the bottom player to bypass the passer’s legs and attack the back, often catching opponents off-guard with its unpredictability and angle.

Start
Reverse DLR
End
Back take
Prerequisites: Reverse De La Riva retention · Inversion mechanics · Underhooking the far leg · Granby roll · Back control entry

Steps

  1. 1
    Establish Reverse De La Riva Guard
    From seated guard, hook your inside leg around opponent’s lead leg (reverse DLR), with your foot lacing behind their knee and your knee pointing outward. Your outside hand posts on the mat for base, while your inside hand controls their far ankle with a C-grip.
  2. 2
    Thread Underhook on Far Leg
    Release your outside hand from the mat and thread it between your legs to underhook their far leg, palm facing up. Keep your elbow tight to your ribs and your shoulder close to the mat to prevent them from sprawling.
  3. 3
    Invert Beneath the Opponent
    Initiate a Granby-style inversion by tucking your head toward their far ankle and rolling your hips under their base. Your reverse DLR hook should stay engaged, and your underhooked arm guides their far leg over your body.
  4. 4
    Pull Hips Through and Elevate
    Use your underhook to pull their far leg over your torso while simultaneously extending your reverse DLR hook to elevate their near leg. Your hips should pass completely underneath their centerline, aiming to have your head emerge behind their far knee.
  5. 5
    Switch Grips for Back Exposure
    As your hips clear under, release the ankle grip and reach your outside arm behind their far knee, aiming to grip their belt, hip, or far thigh (depending on gi/no-gi). Your inside arm continues to control their near leg or transitions to a seatbelt grip if possible.
  6. 6
    Rotate to Seated Back Position
    Use your grips to pull yourself up as you rotate, bringing your chest to their back. Your legs thread around their hips, establishing one or both hooks, while your arms secure a seatbelt grip around their torso.
  7. 7
    Stabilize Back Control
    Lock in your hooks and seatbelt, keeping your chest glued to their upper back. Adjust your head position to the far side of their head, and flare your knees wide to prevent them from rolling out.

Key details most people miss

  • The underhooking arm must stay tight and palm-up to prevent the opponent from sprawling or kicking out.
  • Initiate inversion with your hips close to their shin, not their knee, for maximum leverage and minimal space.
  • As you invert, keep your head tucked and eyes looking toward their far hip—this ensures the correct angle for the back take.
  • Switching grips mid-inversion is crucial; failing to transition to the far hip or thigh grip will result in loss of control.
  • Your bottom hook should be inserted as early as possible during the rotation to prevent opponent’s escape.

Common mistakes

  • If you fail to keep your underhook tight, the opponent can sprawl and flatten you, killing the sweep.
  • If you invert too far from their base, you end up in open space and cannot reach their back.
  • If you hesitate to switch grips, the opponent can turn and square up, negating the back exposure.
  • If your reverse DLR hook disengages early, they can step out and pass.
  • If you don’t flare your knees when taking the back, the opponent can roll and escape your hooks.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent sprawls hard on the underhooked leg
You do: Retract your underhook and re-establish reverse DLR, then use a shin-shin or technical stand-up to recover guard.
They try: Opponent backsteps over your body during inversion
You do: Follow the backstep by switching to a crab ride, using your hooks to maintain connection and continue attacking the back.
They try: Opponent posts their far hand to block your rotation
You do: Switch to attacking the far arm with a kimura grip or transition to a waiter sweep.
They try: Opponent sits their hips low and turns their knee out
You do: Switch to a standard reverse DLR sweep, elevating their near leg and coming up to a single leg.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 2 min; partner provides 30% resistance; goal: achieve clean back exposure and seatbelt in under 10 seconds, minimum 4 successful reps per round.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
Rafael Mendes — Pioneered the use of Kiss-of-the-Dragon in competition, emphasizing tight underhook and seamless transition to back control.Mikey Musumeci — Refined the inversion angle and grip transitions for no-gi application, focusing on high-percentage back takes.Lucas Lepri — Integrates the sweep with passing counters and uses it as a threat to force reactions in high-level guard play.Lachlan Giles — Emphasizes leg entanglement options off failed Kiss-of-the-Dragon attempts, blending with modern leglock entries.
#guard#reverse-dlr#inversion#back-take#gi#no-gi#advanced#dynamic#lightweight-friendly#competition