Omoplata Control Bottom represents the offensive application of this position where the bottom practitioner has secured the omoplata configuration while maintaining guard. This perspective offers exceptional attacking opportunities as you use your legs to trap and control the opponent’s shoulder from the bottom position. The bottom position allows you to leverage your entire body weight and hip mobility to create rotational pressure on the opponent’s shoulder joint while simultaneously threatening sweeps and transitions. From this position, you control the pace and direction of the engagement, forcing your opponent into defensive reactions that create openings for submission finishes, sweeps to dominant top positions, or transitions to back control. The key to success from the bottom perspective is understanding that the omoplata control creates a branching decision tree where each of the opponent’s defensive options leads to a different high-percentage attack. Modern competition analysis shows that practitioners who maintain active hip movement and pressure from omoplata control bottom achieve positional advancement or submission approximately 80% of the time at advanced levels. The position requires excellent hip mobility, precise leg positioning, and the ability to read your opponent’s weight distribution to capitalize on their defensive commitments. Understanding the biomechanics of shoulder rotation and the opponent’s escape options allows you to stay one step ahead, transitioning seamlessly between finishing the shoulder lock, sweeping to mount or side control, or following to back control when they attempt to roll.
Position Definition
- Bottom practitioner’s leg is threaded over opponent’s trapped shoulder with the shin crossing the upper back, creating a lever against the shoulder joint while the knee applies downward pressure
- Trapped arm is isolated and extended away from opponent’s body with limited defensive mobility, positioned between the bottom practitioner’s legs with the shoulder joint vulnerable to rotation
- Bottom practitioner’s hips are positioned close to or underneath opponent’s trapped shoulder, enabling control of posture and the ability to generate rotational pressure on the shoulder capsule
- Opponent is typically on hands and knees or in a defensive seated posture, forced to base out with the free arm to prevent being swept or submitted while attempting to create space
Prerequisites
- Successful entry from closed guard, spider guard, or open guard using omoplata setup
- Isolation of opponent’s arm with leg control established over the shoulder
- Hip positioning close to opponent’s trapped shoulder
- Opponent unable to immediately posture or roll through the control
- Bottom practitioner has sufficient hip mobility to maintain leg positioning
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain constant hip pressure toward opponent’s trapped shoulder to prevent escape
- Keep the controlling leg tight across the upper back with active pressure through the shin
- Control opponent’s posture by preventing them from sitting back or standing up
- Create angles by moving hips laterally to enhance shoulder rotation pressure
- Use the free leg to prevent opponent from rolling forward or stepping over
- Monitor opponent’s free arm position to anticipate escape attempts or counters
- Transition fluidly between submission finish, sweep, and alternative attacks based on opponent’s defensive reactions
Available Escapes
Omoplata → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Omoplata Sweep → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Omoplata to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Transition to Omoplata → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Rolling Omoplata → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent attempts to roll forward through the omoplata:
- Execute Omoplata Sweep → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Rolling Omoplata → Mount (Probability: 55%)
If opponent turns into the submission or sits to their hip:
- Execute Omoplata → Won by Submission (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Omoplata to Back → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent postures up and pulls arm free:
- Execute Triangle Setup → Triangle Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Transition to Omoplata → Armbar Control (Probability: 50%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Direct finish path
Omoplata Control Bottom → Omoplata → Won by Submission
Sweep to dominant position path
Omoplata Control Bottom → Omoplata Sweep → Side Control → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Back take to submission path
Omoplata Control Bottom → Omoplata to Back → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Triangle transition path
Omoplata Control Bottom → Triangle Setup → Triangle Control → Triangle Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 45% | 50% | 30% |
| Intermediate | 60% | 65% | 45% |
| Advanced | 75% | 80% | 60% |
Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The omoplata control position represents a critical junction in the guard game where mechanical advantage must be converted into either positional advancement or submission. The key to understanding this position lies in recognizing that the shoulder joint is being attacked through rotational stress, which requires precise hip positioning and angle creation. Your hips must remain in constant motion, circling around the opponent’s trapped shoulder to maintain and increase rotational pressure on the joint capsule. The common error is treating this as a static position—it is inherently dynamic. The leg across the back functions as both a controlling mechanism and a lever, and the pressure must be constant and directed. When the opponent attempts to defend by rolling forward, they are actually feeding into the sweep mechanics, which is why the omoplata sweep has such a high success rate. The position teaches the fundamental principle that in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we create dilemmas where every defensive option leads to a different offensive opportunity. Master the hip movement, understand the biomechanics of shoulder rotation, and you will find this position becomes a reliable pathway to both submissions and dominant positions.
Gordon Ryan
Omoplata control is one of those positions where you need to be ready to switch gears instantly. In competition, very few people actually tap to the omoplata because everyone knows the basic defenses, so you have to think of this position as a sweep setup that sometimes catches a submission. The moment I secure the omoplata control, I’m already planning the sweep because I know my opponent is going to try to roll forward or posture out. That’s when you ride them over and take side control or mount. The key is not to get stubborn about finishing the shoulder lock—if they’re defending well, take the sweep and the points. That said, against certain body types or less experienced opponents, the submission is absolutely there. I like to combine the omoplata threat with constant off-balancing to keep them guessing. If they defend the submission, sweep them. If they defend the sweep, go to their back. If they’re stuck defending both, finish the shoulder lock. The position is all about maintaining offensive pressure and not allowing them to settle into a defensive structure. Keep moving your hips, stay tight to their shoulder, and be ready to capitalize on whatever opening they give you. This is a position where activity level directly correlates with success rate.
Eddie Bravo
The omoplata control is sick because it’s one of those positions where you’re attacking from the bottom with your legs, which is what 10th Planet is all about. We use this position constantly, especially coming out of the Rubber Guard system or when we’re working spider guard stuff. The beauty of the omoplata is that even if you don’t finish it, you’re setting up so many other attacks. I tell my students to think of the omoplata control as a gateway position—it opens doors to triangles, armbars, sweeps, back takes, all kinds of stuff. The key is to not be too committed to one outcome. If they’re defending the shoulder lock, switch to the sweep or the back take. If they’re worried about getting swept, tighten up the submission. The no-gi version requires even more hip movement and control because you don’t have the gi grips to hold them in place, so you need to really understand the body mechanics. One thing we emphasize is using the free leg actively—you can use it to block their escape routes, control their posture, or even start setting up the next attack. The omoplata control is also great for wearing people out because they have to defend multiple threats simultaneously, and that mental and physical fatigue creates openings. Stay creative, stay active, and don’t be afraid to chain this into other attacks from the bottom.