BJJ Graph

Omoplata

Jun 15, 20259 min read

Omoplata

bjjsubmissionshoulder_lockjoint_lockendstatefundamental

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Submission ID: SUB020
  • Submission Name: Omoplata
  • Alternative Names: Shoulder Lock, Omo Plata, Shoulder Blade Lock
  • Submission Category: Joint Lock - categorizes submission type

State Machine Properties

Submission Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75% - finishing rates
  • Setup Complexity: Medium - technical difficulty assessment
  • Execution Speed: Slow - time to completion once initiated
  • Escape Difficulty: Medium - how hard to defend once locked
  • Damage Potential: Medium - injury risk level for educational awareness

Prerequisites for Attempt

  • Position Control: Opponent’s arm isolated and controlled
  • Setup Requirements: Opponent’s arm threaded through leg triangle
  • Opponent Vulnerability: Trapped arm with limited escape options
  • Technical Skill Level: Intermediate technique requiring hip flexibility

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Finishing Sequence

Detailed description for technical completion:

  • Final positioning with opponent’s arm trapped in leg triangle configuration
  • Hip control creating rotational pressure on shoulder joint
  • Opponent’s physical response showing discomfort and defensive attempts
  • Moment of technical completion with clear submission signal

Template: “With opponent’s arm trapped in your leg triangle, you control their posture and apply hip pressure. You create shoulder rotation while maintaining leg control. Your opponent attempts to defend or adjust position, signals submission by tapping, and the technique is complete.”

Setup Requirements (Pre-Submission Checklist)

Conditions that must be satisfied before attempting:

  1. Position Establishment: Guard position with arm isolation opportunity
  2. Control Points: Opponent’s arm threaded through leg triangle
  3. Angle Creation: Proper hip positioning for shoulder pressure
  4. Leverage Acquisition: Leg control over opponent’s shoulder and arm
  5. Space Elimination: Preventing opponent from extracting arm
  6. Timing Recognition: Optimal moment when arm is fully isolated

Execution Steps (Finishing Sequence)

  1. Initial Control: Isolate opponent’s arm from guard position
  2. Position Adjustment: Thread their arm through your leg triangle
  3. Pressure Application: Begin applying rotational pressure on shoulder
  4. Progressive Tightening: Increase pressure while maintaining leg control
  5. Final Adjustment: Adjust hip angle and pressure for maximum effectiveness
  6. Submission Recognition: Identify opponent’s tap or verbal submission

Anatomical Targeting

Precise technical details for educational accuracy:

  • Primary Target: Shoulder joint and rotator cuff muscles
  • Secondary Effects: Pressure on scapula and shoulder blade
  • Pressure Direction: Rotational force applied to shoulder joint
  • Safety Considerations: Risk of shoulder dislocation and muscle damage
  • Physiological Response: Sharp shoulder pain and protective reflexes

Opponent Defense Patterns

Common Escape Attempts

Defensive responses with success rates:

  • Early Defense: Preventing arm from being isolated and threaded (+70% escape rate)
  • Roll Forward: Rolling forward to relieve shoulder pressure (+60% escape rate)
  • Arm Extract: Pulling arm free before full lock is established (+55% escape rate)
  • Posture Control: Maintaining strong posture to prevent setup (+50% escape rate)
  • Tap Decision: Recognition of inevitable submission (0% escape rate)

Format: [[Defense Technique]] → [[Outcome]] (Success Rate: X%, Window: [time available])

Defensive Decision Logic

If [omoplata setup] < 40% complete:
- Execute [[Early Defense]] (Success Rate: 70%)

Else if [arm threaded] but [pressure not applied]:
- Execute [[Roll Forward]] (Success Rate: 60%)

Else if [partial lock] but [escape possible]:
- Execute [[Arm Extract]] (Success Rate: 55%)

Else [dangerous pressure applied]:
- Execute [[Tap Out]] (Immediate end to prevent injury)

Resistance Patterns

How opponent fights the submission:

  • Strength-Based: Using shoulder and back strength to resist rotation
  • Technical: Specific defensive positioning and arm placement
  • Positional: Changing body angle to reduce pressure effectiveness
  • Time-Based: Stalling while working toward escape opportunities

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The omoplata succeeds through precise leg control and hip positioning rather than brute force. The key is understanding that the shoulder lock requires proper angle and pressure application - the leg triangle must be tight and the hip movement must create rotational force. Most practitioners fail by rushing the setup without proper arm isolation.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, I use the omoplata not just as a submission but as a control position that offers multiple attack options. The threat of the shoulder lock often forces opponents into defensive reactions that open up back takes or sweep opportunities. The technique teaches important principles of arm control that apply throughout grappling.”
  • **Eddie Bravo”: “The omoplata integrates perfectly with rubber guard concepts and other innovative guard systems. It’s particularly effective when combined with other arm attacks, creating a multi-dimensional attack system. The flexibility required makes it ideal for practitioners who enjoy exploring technical submissions and developing hip mobility.”

Safety Considerations

Critical information for responsible practice:

  • Injury Risks: Risk of shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff damage, and muscle strain
  • Application Speed: Must be applied slowly to allow time for submission
  • Tap Recognition: Both physical taps and verbal submissions must be respected immediately
  • Release Technique: Immediately release leg pressure and allow arm to return naturally
  • Training Protocols: Only practice with controlled pressure and experienced supervision

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation and safety:

  • Technical Error: Attempting submission without proper arm isolation
  • Safety Error: Applying pressure too rapidly or with excessive force
  • Setup Error: Poor leg triangle that allows easy arm extraction
  • Recognition Error: Missing opponent’s defensive movements and adjustments
  • Finish Error: Not maintaining proper hip angle during pressure application

Mechanical Principles

Scientific understanding of submission effectiveness:

  • Leverage Systems: Leg control creates fulcrum for shoulder rotation
  • Pressure Distribution: Rotational force applied to shoulder joint
  • Structural Weakness: Shoulder vulnerability to rotational pressure
  • Timing Elements: Most effective when arm is fully isolated and controlled
  • Progressive Loading: Gradual pressure increase prevents explosive defensive reactions

Technical Assessment Elements

Finishing Elements

Content for technical completion moments:

  • Buildup Tension: “The omoplata tightens, shoulder under pressure…”
  • Critical Moment: “The shoulder reaches its tolerance limit…”
  • Completion Declaration: “Perfect omoplata execution forces the submission!”
  • Position Description: Final control with arm trapped and shoulder locked
  • Commentary Analysis: Expert breakdown of leg control and hip positioning

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 critical questions for submission mastery:

  • Setup Recognition: “What positions enable the omoplata submission?”
  • Technical Execution: “What creates the shoulder pressure in this technique?”
  • Safety Understanding: “How should pressure be applied during training?”
  • Defense Awareness: “What is the best early defense against the omoplata?”
  • Anatomical Knowledge: “Which joint is primarily targeted by this technique?”

Variations and Setups

Different paths to the same submission:

  • Primary Setup: From guard with arm isolated and threaded
  • Alternative Setups: Triangle transition, spider guard entries, sweep attempts
  • Opportunistic Finish: When opponent defends other attacks incorrectly
  • Chain Combinations: Following failed armbar or other arm attack attempts
  • No-Gi vs Gi: Gi provides better grip control for setup and maintenance

Training Progressions

Safe learning pathway:

  • Technical Understanding: Study shoulder anatomy and pressure mechanics
  • Slow Practice: Controlled application with extremely willing partner
  • Progressive Resistance: Partner provides gradual defensive pressure
  • Timing Development: Recognizing optimal setup opportunities
  • Safety Integration: Proper tap recognition and immediate release protocols
  • Live Application: Sparring integration with safety emphasis

Audio & Narration Elements

Dramatic Commentary

Epic finishing narration for TTS:

  • Tension Building: “The omoplata is locking up, shoulder under siege…”
  • Critical Moments: “The rotational pressure reaches dangerous levels…”
  • Victory Moments: “And the tap! Textbook omoplata execution!”
  • Expert Analysis: Technical breakdown of leg control and hip mechanics
  • Emotional Climax: Celebration of technical submission mastery

Technical Instruction

Precise finishing guidance:

  • Setup Cues: “Isolate that arm and thread it through”
  • Execution Guidance: “Control with your legs, pressure with your hips”
  • Safety Reminders: “Watch for tap signals and release immediately”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Maintain control until clear submission signal”

Educational Emphasis

Responsible training messaging:

  • Safety First: Always emphasizing controlled pressure application
  • Technical Focus: Proper technique development over force
  • Partner Respect: Joint locks require exceptional partner trust
  • Learning Priority: Understanding mechanics over completion
  • Injury Prevention: Smart training with safety as top priority

Technical Specifications

Pressure Mechanics

Scientific submission analysis:

  • Force Vectors: Rotational pressure applied to shoulder joint
  • Anatomical Response: Shoulder pain, protective reflexes, potential injury
  • Leverage Calculations: Leg triangle position multiplies applied hip pressure
  • Time Factors: 8-15 seconds from initial pressure to submission
  • Effectiveness Thresholds: Moderate pressure sufficient due to joint sensitivity

Success Factors

Elements that increase finishing probability:

  • Position Quality: Strength of arm isolation and leg control (+/-20%)
  • Setup Precision: Proper threading and angle creation (+/-25%)
  • Technique Knowledge: Understanding of pressure mechanics (+/-20%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive capability and reaction time (+/-5%)
  • Experience Level: Practitioner skill with shoulder lock techniques (+/-15%)

Validation Checklist

Every submission file must include:

  • All required properties with specific values
  • Detailed setup requirements (minimum 6 elements)
  • Complete execution steps (minimum 6 steps)
  • Safety considerations and injury risks
  • At least 3 common defenses with success rates
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 safety-focused common errors
  • 5 knowledge test questions with safety emphasis
  • Anatomical targeting information
  • Training progression pathway

Example Implementation

See Triangle Finish for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Technical completion sequences for state machine endpoints
  • Safety-focused educational content for responsible training
  • Probability data for statistical analysis and calculations
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured defensive analysis for complete coverage
  • Knowledge assessment with safety emphasis
  • Training guidance for skill development

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all submission files to maintain consistency and educational safety standards.

  • Americana - Alternative shoulder lock with different mechanics
  • Kimura - Shoulder lock using different arm configuration
  • Triangle Choke - Common setup position for omoplata
  • Armbar - Alternative arm attack from similar positions

Historical Context

The omoplata represents the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s ground fighting sophistication, demonstrating how technical innovation expanded traditional joint lock concepts. The technique showcases the art’s emphasis on leverage and technique over strength.

Position Combinations

High-percentage omoplata paths:

Competition Considerations

  • IBJJF Legal: Legal at all belt levels in gi and no-gi
  • Application Time: Must show clear progress toward completion
  • Safety Rules: Immediate release required upon submission signal
  • Scoring: Submission ends match regardless of point differential

Training Safety Protocols

  • Controlled Pressure: Always apply pressure slowly and progressively
  • Clear Communication: Maintain verbal communication during drilling
  • Immediate Release: Release pressure immediately upon tap or verbal submission
  • Partner Selection: Practice only with trusted, experienced partners
  • Qualified Instruction: Learn under supervision of qualified instructor

Technical Development

  • Hip Flexibility: Essential for proper omoplata execution
  • Leg Control: Requires strong leg triangle maintenance
  • Timing Recognition: Critical for identifying setup opportunities
  • Pressure Application: Must understand proper hip mechanics
  • Chain Integration: Works well with other guard attacks

Graph View

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