Why is the gogoplata considered one of the most dangerous submissions to practice in training?

The gogoplata directly compresses the trachea (windpipe) with the hard shin bone, which can cause serious injury much more quickly than blood chokes that target the carotid arteries. The trachea is a delicate structure, and rapid or excessive pressure can cause tracheal collapse, crushing, or permanent damage. Unlike blood chokes that cause unconsciousness gradually, tracheal damage happens quickly and can be irreversible. This is why extremely slow application (5-7 seconds minimum) and immediate release upon tap are absolutely critical. Training partners must have complete trust and experience before practicing this technique.

What anatomical structure does the gogoplata primarily attack, and how does this differ from blood chokes?

The gogoplata primarily attacks the trachea (windpipe) by compressing it with the hard shin bone. This creates an air choke that restricts breathing. In contrast, blood chokes like the rear naked choke or triangle target the carotid arteries on either side of the neck, restricting blood flow to the brain. The gogoplata can also compress the carotid arteries secondarily when properly applied, creating a hybrid effect. The key difference is that tracheal compression can cause structural damage to the airway, while blood chokes cause reversible unconsciousness without damaging structures. This is why the gogoplata requires more careful application.

What is the primary physical requirement that determines whether a practitioner should attempt the gogoplata?

Hip flexibility is the primary physical requirement for the gogoplata. The practitioner must be able to bring their shin across the opponent's throat while simultaneously maintaining high guard control and keeping the opponent's posture broken. This requires the ability to achieve extreme hip flexion and external rotation. Without sufficient flexibility, attempting to force the position can result in injury to the practitioner's hip, knee, or ankle. Practitioners should develop this flexibility through dedicated stretching, yoga, or similar training before attempting the submission in live situations. If your hips cannot comfortably achieve the required position, the gogoplata is not suitable for your current body capabilities.

What indicators tell you the opponent has reached the point of no escape and the finish is inevitable?

The point of no escape occurs when three conditions are simultaneously met: your shin is locked across the trachea with the blade of the bone creating pressure, your hands have secured deep control behind their head preventing any posture recovery, and your non-choking leg is hooked over their back eliminating their ability to create distance. At this point, you'll feel their defensive movements become weaker and less coordinated as the choke begins affecting them. They may begin tapping frantically, making distressed sounds, or their body may start going limp. Any of these signals means the finish is imminent and you should be prepared to release immediately upon the tap.

Your opponent starts to posture up during your gogoplata attempt - what adjustment prevents escape while maintaining the submission threat?

When opponent begins posturing, immediately pull harder with your hands on their head while simultaneously squeezing your knees together to trap their arms. Your non-choking leg should hook deeper over their back, pulling them forward. If they continue gaining posture despite these adjustments, you have two options: either abandon the gogoplata and transition to triangle choke using their upward momentum to swing your leg across, or switch to omoplata by following their arm with your hips. The key is recognizing early when posture recovery is happening and either countering it immediately or flowing to an alternative attack rather than stubbornly holding a compromised position.

What should you do immediately if your opponent goes limp or stops resisting during a gogoplata attempt?

IMMEDIATELY release all pressure by removing your shin from their throat and releasing head control. Allow their head to return to a neutral position and remove your top leg from over their head completely. Lower your hips and release all pressure. Check on your training partner's condition immediately - they may have lost consciousness or suffered an injury. Do not continue training until you have confirmed they are okay and they have had adequate recovery time (minimum 2-3 minutes). If they lost consciousness, they should not continue training that day and should seek medical evaluation. Loss of resistance during a tracheal choke can indicate serious airway compromise or loss of consciousness, both of which require immediate cessation of the technique and medical assessment.

Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control Attacker | BJJ Submission Guide

SAFETY: Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control targets the Trachea and carotid arteries. Risk: Tracheal damage or crushing. Release immediately upon tap.

The Gogoplata is an advanced submission technique that utilizes the shin bone to create a choke by pressing against the opponent’s trachea while simultaneously pulling their head forward. This highly technical submission is most commonly associated with the rubber guard system and requires exceptional flexibility, precise positioning, and excellent timing. The Gogoplata is executed primarily from rubber guard positions, though variations exist from mount and other control positions.

What makes the Gogoplata particularly effective is its unexpected nature and the difficulty opponents face in defending once the position is established. Unlike traditional chokes that rely on arm or collar grips, the Gogoplata uses the shin bone as the primary choking mechanism, making it extremely difficult to grip-fight or hand-fight out of the submission. The technique’s success heavily depends on the practitioner’s ability to maintain high guard control, break the opponent’s posture, and possess the hip flexibility necessary to bring the shin across the throat.

While the Gogoplata has a reputation as a low-percentage submission due to its technical complexity and flexibility requirements, when executed by practitioners with the proper physical attributes and technical understanding, it becomes a powerful addition to the submission arsenal. The technique has been successfully used in high-level competition by flexibility-focused grapplers. The Gogoplata represents the evolution of submission grappling beyond traditional techniques, showcasing how creativity and physical attributes can be leveraged to create finishing opportunities from seemingly neutral positions.

From Position: Gogoplata Control (Top)

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control?

High guard control must be established before attempting the shin placement across the throat
Hip flexibility is essential - the ability to bring your shin across their throat while maintaining control
Breaking posture is critical - opponent’s head must be pulled down and forward for the choke to work
Shin bone placement must be precise - across the trachea with the blade of the shin, not the calf
Control of the opponent’s head with both hands creates the necessary compression for the choke
The non-choking leg maintains position control by hooking over the opponent’s back or shoulder
Gradual pressure application allows for safe training and partner awareness of danger

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control?

Establish closed guard or high guard control with opponent in your guard
Break opponent’s posture completely - their head must be pulled down low
Secure rubber guard position with one foot across opponent’s back and behind their head
Create sufficient space to thread the choking leg across opponent’s throat
Control opponent’s head with both hands to prevent them from posturing up
Ensure opponent’s arms are controlled or neutralized to prevent them from creating base
Have the hip flexibility to bring your shin across their throat while maintaining connection
Secure your foot position behind opponent’s head or shoulder for maximum leverage

Execution Steps

How do you execute Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control step by step?

Establish high guard control: From closed guard or open guard, establish a high guard position by climbing your legs up your opponent’s back. Secure one foot across their back in rubber guard position, with your shin behind their head. Your other leg should maintain control around their body or be prepared to become the choking mechanism. (Timing: 0-2 seconds)
Break opponent’s posture completely: Using your rubber guard control and both hands gripping behind opponent’s head or controlling their arms, pull their head down aggressively until their face is close to your chest. Their posture must be completely broken - if they can maintain any upright posture, the submission will not work. (Timing: 2-4 seconds)
Thread the choking leg across the throat: From your high guard position, begin to thread your free leg (the one not in rubber guard) across the front of opponent’s throat. Your shin bone should come across their trachea while your foot moves toward the opposite side of their neck. This requires significant hip flexibility and must be done while maintaining broken posture. (Timing: 4-7 seconds)
Secure the shin position across the throat: Position the blade of your shin bone directly across opponent’s trachea and throat area. Your foot should be positioned behind their head or over their opposite shoulder. The shin placement is critical - it must be centered on the throat with the hard bone creating the compression point, not the soft calf muscle. (Timing: 7-10 seconds)
Control the head with both hands: With your shin in position, secure a strong grip on the back of opponent’s head with both hands. Your grip might be palm-to-palm, fingers interlaced, or gripping their hair or gi collar (in gi). This grip will allow you to pull their head forward into your shin, creating the choking pressure. (Timing: 10-12 seconds)
Create choking pressure by pulling head forward: While maintaining your shin position across their throat, pull opponent’s head forward with your hands. Simultaneously extend your hips slightly upward to increase pressure. The combination of pulling their head into your shin while the shin remains stationary creates the choke. Apply pressure SLOWLY over 3-5 seconds. (Timing: 12-17 seconds)
Maintain position and adjust pressure: As opponent feels the pressure, they will attempt to escape. Maintain your shin position, keep their posture broken, and adjust your pulling angle to maximize the choke. Your non-choking leg should hook over their back or shoulder to prevent them from posturing up. Continue gradual pressure increase until tap is achieved. (Timing: 17-22 seconds to completion)

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	40%
Failure	Gogoplata Control	35%
Counter	Closed Guard	25%

Opponent Defenses

How might your opponent defend against Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control?

Posture up aggressively to create space and prevent shin placement (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Anticipate the posture attempt and use your rubber guard leg to pull their head back down immediately. Secure head control with both hands before they can create significant space. If they succeed in posturing, abandon the submission and transition to triangle or omoplata. → Leads to Gogoplata Control
Turn head to the side to prevent shin from settling across throat (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow the direction of their head turn and adjust your shin angle accordingly. Use your hand grips to force their head back to center position. If they persist in turning, you can attack the exposed neck with an arm triangle or switch to a different submission. → Leads to Gogoplata Control
Push against your hips to create distance and remove choking pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Squeeze your knees together to trap their arms and prevent effective pushing. Your non-choking leg should hook deeper over their back to maintain proximity. Pull their head more aggressively to counteract any distance they create. → Leads to Closed Guard
Grab the choking leg and attempt to push it away from throat (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: If they commit both hands to gripping your choking leg, their head becomes vulnerable. Increase head control and pulling pressure. The act of them reaching for your leg often drives their head deeper into the choke. Maintain shin pressure and continue the submission. → Leads to game-over

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control?

1. Attempting the gogoplata without sufficient hip flexibility

Consequence: Inability to bring shin across throat properly, leading to failed submission attempt and potential injury to your own hip or knee from forcing the position
Correction: Develop hip flexibility through dedicated stretching and yoga before attempting this technique. Practice the positioning slowly with a cooperative partner. If you cannot comfortably bring your shin across while maintaining guard, this submission may not be suitable for your body type.

2. Failing to break opponent’s posture before attempting shin placement

Consequence: Opponent easily postures up and escapes, or they stack you and pass your guard while you’re attempting the submission
Correction: Ensure opponent’s posture is completely broken with their head pulled down low before initiating the shin thread. Use your rubber guard position and head control to maintain broken posture throughout the entire technique. Posture control is the foundation of this submission.

3. Placing the calf muscle across the throat instead of the shin bone

Consequence: Ineffective choking pressure due to soft tissue compression rather than hard bone pressure. Opponent can often resist or escape easily
Correction: Focus on positioning the blade of your shin bone (the hard front edge) directly across the trachea. Your foot should be positioned behind their head, not alongside it. The shin bone creates much more effective compression than the calf muscle.

4. Applying pressure too quickly without allowing time for tap

Consequence: CRITICAL DANGER - rapid pressure on the trachea can cause serious injury including tracheal collapse, loss of consciousness, or permanent damage
Correction: ALWAYS apply pressure slowly and progressively over 5-7 seconds minimum. Watch for tap signals constantly. This is one of the most dangerous submissions due to direct tracheal pressure. In training, use minimal pressure - just enough for partner to feel the position. Never spike or jerk the submission.

5. Losing control of opponent’s head during the submission

Consequence: Opponent can posture up or turn their head to escape the choke. Without head control, the submission becomes ineffective
Correction: Maintain strong two-hand control on the back of opponent’s head throughout the entire submission. Your hands should be pulling their head forward into your shin constantly. Never release head control until the tap occurs or you abandon the submission.

6. Neglecting to control opponent’s body with the non-choking leg

Consequence: Opponent can create distance, posture up, or escape the position entirely. Loss of overall positional control
Correction: Your non-choking leg (the rubber guard leg) should maintain active control by hooking over opponent’s back or shoulder. This leg prevents them from creating space and maintains your high guard position. Both legs work together - one chokes, one controls.

7. Attempting the submission when fatigued or with poor flexibility

Consequence: Increased risk of injury to yourself (hip, knee, or ankle) and inability to maintain proper control for safe execution
Correction: Only attempt gogoplata when you are fresh and your flexibility is optimal. This is not a submission to attempt when tired. If your flexibility is compromised due to fatigue, choose different submission options. Know your physical limitations and respect them.

Training Progressions

How do you train Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control (Attacker)?

Phase 1: Flexibility and Positional Awareness - Developing the hip flexibility and understanding the shin-across-throat mechanics without live resistance Spend 4-6 weeks developing the hip flexibility required for gogoplata through daily stretching targeting hip flexors, hamstrings, and external hip rotation. Drill the shin placement across a cooperative partner’s throat with zero pressure, focusing solely on achieving the correct position. Practice transitioning from rubber guard to gogoplata control position repeatedly until the movement pattern is automatic. Do not apply any choking pressure during this phase.

Phase 2: Controlled Drilling with Compliant Partner - Building the complete sequence from rubber guard entry through shin placement and head control with light resistance With a trusted training partner, drill the complete gogoplata sequence from mission control entry through shin placement and head control. Partner provides 20-30% resistance, allowing you to feel realistic body positioning while maintaining technical precision. Practice the hand grips on the head and pulling mechanics with minimal pressure. Introduce the concept of the non-choking leg as an anchor. Begin recognizing when the position is properly locked versus when adjustments are needed.

Phase 3: Progressive Resistance and Transition Chains - Executing gogoplata against increasing defensive resistance and developing transition awareness to alternative submissions Increase partner resistance to 50-70% while drilling the full submission. Practice recognizing when opponent is defending effectively and transitioning to triangle choke or omoplata instead of forcing the gogoplata. Drill the triangle-to-gogoplata and gogoplata-to-triangle chains. Begin applying light finishing pressure with careful attention to partner’s safety signals. Work on timing the shin placement during the brief window when opponent’s posture is broken.

Phase 4: Live Application and Competition Integration - Implementing gogoplata in live rolling with full resistance while maintaining safety awareness and chain attack mentality Attempt gogoplata during live training rounds against progressively skilled training partners. Focus on recognizing when the submission opportunity presents itself naturally from rubber guard rather than forcing entries. Develop the instinct to release and transition when the position is not properly secured. Train the safety awareness to apply pressure gradually even under competition-like intensity. Refine timing, adjust for different body types, and build confidence in the submission as a genuine finishing threat within your overall guard game.

Gogoplata from Gogoplata Control Attacker

Outcomes