Reverse Tripod Sweep

What This Is

The reverse tripod sweep is the RDLR (reverse De la Riva) equivalent of the standard tripod. The underlying mechanics — pushing one point while pulling another to remove the opponent’s base — are identical. What changes is the angle: the RDLR hook is on the inside of the opponent’s near leg, and this inside position redirects the sweep to the outside of the opponent’s stance rather than the inside.

Understanding this sweep requires first understanding what RDLR does differently from DLR. In standard DLR, the hook wraps the outside of the opponent’s lead leg and the sweep falls the opponent inward across their body. In RDLR, the hook is threaded to the inside of the lead leg, and the sweep direction is reversed — the opponent falls away to their outside. The same forces, a different plane.

This makes the reverse tripod a complement to the standard tripod rather than a replacement. When an opponent defends the standard tripod by stepping the lead leg inside, they may inadvertently set up the reverse tripod angle.

The Invariable in Action

As with all tripod variants, the push-pull combination must destabilise the opponent before the trip can complete. From the RDLR position, the destabilisation happens across a different axis — the outside line of the opponent’s stance — but the principle is unchanged. Apply both forces before expecting the opponent to fall.

From RDLR, the near leg is still the target support point. The inside hook position creates a different mechanical relationship — the hook pushes the inside of the knee outward while the hand grips the outside of the ankle and pulls. Together they lever the leg out from under the opponent’s centre of mass, toward the outside of their stance. INV-06 holds regardless of angle: remove the loaded support point and the base fails.

When the reverse tripod completes, the opponent falls to the outside — typically onto their posting hand on that side. The bottom player follows to the side the opponent fell toward and arrives at top position. When the opponent posts to defend, the same arm becomes exposed as in the standard tripod, but now it is the outside arm that takes the post.

Setup and Entry

From Reverse De la Riva (primary)

The bottom player has the RDLR hook — inside of the opponent’s near leg, knee bent, foot behind the near thigh. From here, the outside foot extends to the opponent’s far hip while the inside hand reaches to grip the near ankle on the outside. The push-pull activates: outside foot pushes the far hip, inside hand pulls the near ankle upward and across. The opponent’s near leg is levered outward and they fall to their outside.

The key grip detail: the ankle grip in the reverse tripod should approach from the outside of the ankle (lateral side), pulling the leg outward and upward. A grip from the inside would pull the leg in the wrong direction relative to the sweep.

See: Reverse De la Riva Guard

Reactive Entry from Standard Tripod Defence

When an opponent defends the standard tripod by stepping the lead leg to the inside — a common counter — they often land in RDLR range. The bottom player can catch the inside hook as the leg passes through and immediately transition to the reverse tripod without resetting. The opponent’s defensive step becomes the entry for the reverse variation.

Weight-Loading Requirement

The same weight-loading condition applies here: the sweep requires the opponent’s weight to be committed to the near leg. Use the RDLR hook to pull the near leg forward and load it before sweeping. A balanced opponent will simply step outside and disengage.

Common Errors

Defence

• Step outside: Moving the near leg to the outside before the hook is established removes the inside hook opportunity. This is the earliest and cleanest defence.
• Post with the outside leg: When the sweep initiates, posting the outside leg wide prevents the rotation from completing. The base widens and the opponent can drive into the bottom player to reset.
• Strip the ankle grip: As with all tripod variants, clearing the ankle grip before both forces combine stops the sweep. Strip the grip first, then disengage the hook.
• Re-establish inside position: Physically squaring up to the bottom player and removing the RDLR hook by stepping over or through it removes the hook’s mechanical function.

Drilling Notes

Ability Level Guidance

Also Known As

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