⚠️ SAFETY: Omoplata Variations targets the Shoulder joint and rotator cuff. Risk: Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus tendons). Release immediately upon tap.
The Omoplata family represents one of the most versatile submission systems in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering multiple entry points, finish variations, and transition opportunities. Unlike single-purpose submissions, omoplata variations create a web of offensive threats that force opponents into defensive dilemmas. The standard omoplata attacks the shoulder joint through controlled hip pressure and leg entanglement, hyperextending the shoulder capsule and stressing the rotator cuff. Advanced practitioners use omoplata variations not just as finishing techniques but as positional control platforms that open paths to back takes, sweeps, and alternative submissions. The rolling omoplata adds dynamic movement to bypass defensive grips, while the baratoplata and tarikoplata variations modify the angle of attack to catch opponents who defend the standard finish. Understanding the full spectrum of omoplata variations transforms this submission from a novelty technique into a systematic attacking framework that works across gi and no-gi contexts.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Shoulder Lock Target Area: Shoulder joint and rotator cuff Starting Position: Closed Guard Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus, infraspinatus tendons) | High | 6-12 months with surgical repair, 3-6 months conservative treatment |
| Shoulder capsule strain or tear | Medium | 4-8 weeks with proper rehabilitation |
| AC joint separation | Medium | 6-12 weeks depending on grade |
| Labral tear (shoulder socket cartilage) | High | 4-6 months post-surgical, may require arthroscopy |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum application time with constant communication
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (any verbal signal of submission)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any audible distress signal or pain vocalization
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release hip pressure against shoulder
- Remove leg control from around head and arm
- Allow partner to externally rotate shoulder naturally
- Provide space for partner to sit up safely
- Check partner’s shoulder mobility before continuing training
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike or jerk the shoulder rotation
- Never use competition finishing speed in training rolls
- Always allow tap access - never pin both hands
- Do not combine with neck cranking pressure
- Avoid drilling on injured or previously damaged shoulders
- Never apply full pressure in positional drilling
Key Principles
- Hip pressure controls shoulder rotation - your hip against their shoulder is the primary control mechanism
- Leg configuration determines variation - standard, rolling, baratoplata, and tarikoplata all use different leg positions
- Sweeps and submissions are interchangeable - every omoplata setup creates sweep opportunities if the submission fails
- Breaking posture precedes all entries - opponent must be broken forward before leg can thread over shoulder
- Shoulder isolation requires hip mobility - flexible hip rotation allows deeper shoulder entanglement and better finishing angles
- Back exposure is the primary threat - opponents defending omoplata often give up back control, making transitions more valuable than the finish
- Grip control determines success - controlling the trapped arm prevents defensive rolling and escape attempts
Prerequisites
- Opponent’s posture must be broken forward with their weight committed
- Control of opponent’s trapped arm (sleeve grip in gi, wrist control no-gi)
- Hip mobility to thread leg over opponent’s shoulder and behind head
- Off-balancing opponent to their trapped arm side to prevent base recovery
- Secondary control point (collar grip, head control, or opposite sleeve) to prevent posture recovery
- Angle adjustment to align your hips perpendicular to opponent’s shoulder line
- Base establishment on opposite elbow/hand to generate rotational pressure
Execution Steps
- Break posture and secure grips: From closed guard or open guard, break opponent’s posture by pulling their head and upper body forward. Secure a strong grip on the arm you intend to attack (sleeve grip in gi, wrist control no-gi). Establish a secondary control point such as collar grip or head control to prevent them from posturing back up. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish controls) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Create angle and swing leg over: Pivot your hips approximately 90 degrees toward the trapped arm side, creating a perpendicular angle to your opponent’s body. Swing your same-side leg (the leg on the side of the trapped arm) over their shoulder and behind their head. Your shin should cross their upper back with your foot positioned near their opposite shoulder blade. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for hip rotation and leg swing) [Pressure: Light]
- Secure the triangle lock: Bring your opposite leg over your shin to create a figure-four leg lock around their head and trapped arm. Lock your foot in the crook of your opposite knee or over your own shin, depending on the variation. This triangle configuration secures the position and prevents them from removing their arm from the entanglement. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to lock legs) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Sit up and establish base: Sit up tall on your outside elbow and hand, creating a stable posting base. Your hips should be elevated off the mat with your weight distributed through your posting arm. This upright posture is critical for generating the rotational pressure that attacks the shoulder joint. Control the trapped arm close to your body to prevent escape. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish stable position) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Rotate hips and apply shoulder pressure: Rotate your hips toward your opponent’s head while simultaneously leaning your upper body toward their hips. This creates a scissoring action where your thigh drives into their shoulder blade while their arm is hyperextended forward. The pressure should be progressive and controlled, forcing internal rotation and extension of the shoulder joint. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive application) [Pressure: Firm]
- Finish with controlled rotation: Maintain hip pressure while continuing to rotate your torso toward their legs. Pull the trapped arm tight to your chest while driving your thigh into their scapula. The finish comes from the combination of shoulder rotation, extension, and the lever pressure of your leg against their back. Apply pressure slowly and progressively, waiting for the tap before increasing intensity. (Timing: Slow progressive pressure over 3-5 seconds) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Variation adjustment - Rolling Omoplata: If opponent grips your legs to prevent the standard finish, release your triangle lock and execute a forward roll over your shoulder on the trapped arm side. Maintain wrist control throughout the roll, ending in a seated position with their arm still trapped. Re-establish the omoplata configuration after the roll with their defensive grips broken. (Timing: Dynamic roll in 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Light]
- Variation adjustment - Baratoplata: From the initial omoplata setup, instead of sitting up perpendicular, rotate your body toward your opponent’s trapped arm. Thread your leg deeper around their neck while controlling their wrist. Your shin creates a figure-four around their neck and arm, with finishing pressure coming from pulling their wrist toward their opposite shoulder while your leg creates the fulcrum. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to reconfigure) [Pressure: Firm]
Opponent Defenses
- Rolling forward to escape the shoulder lock (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Follow their roll by maintaining wrist control and either finishing the omoplata in the new position or transitioning to the back as they expose it during the roll. Use their momentum to assist your back take by throwing your legs over as they complete the forward roll.
- Grabbing your legs to prevent hip rotation (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Switch to rolling omoplata by releasing the triangle lock and executing a forward roll, breaking their grip in the process. Alternatively, transition to a sweep by using their grip commitment against them and elevating them forward over your hips.
- Posturing up forcefully to stack you (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Accept the stack pressure temporarily while maintaining arm control. As they drive forward, use the momentum to transition to triangle choke or armbar by adjusting your leg position. Their forward pressure creates the perfect angle for these alternative submissions.
- Pulling arm free before triangle lock is secured (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If they extract their arm early, immediately transition to triangle choke by adjusting your leg position to control their head and opposite arm. The same angle and broken posture that sets up omoplata creates direct triangle entries.
- Sprawling hips away to create distance (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Use your leg hook behind their head to prevent effective hip sprawl. Pull them back into the position using collar or head control combined with the leg leverage. If they succeed in creating distance, transition to sitting guard and reset your attack.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum application time for omoplata pressure in training and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Minimum 3-5 seconds progressive application is critical because the shoulder joint is extremely vulnerable to rotator cuff tears and labral damage. Rapid application doesn’t give your partner sufficient time to recognize the submission and tap safely. Shoulder injuries from omoplata can require 6-12 months recovery including potential surgery, making slow progressive pressure essential for safe training.
Q2: What is the primary mechanical principle that makes omoplata effective as a shoulder lock? A: The omoplata works through a combination of shoulder hyperextension and internal rotation, where your hip creates a lever against their shoulder blade while their arm is trapped in an extended position. The scissoring action between your leg pressure on their back and the trapped arm position forces the shoulder joint beyond its normal range of motion, stressing the rotator cuff and shoulder capsule until submission occurs.
Q3: Why is creating a perpendicular angle essential before attempting omoplata, and what happens if you skip this step? A: The perpendicular angle (approximately 90 degrees to your opponent’s centerline) creates the leverage necessary to attack the shoulder joint effectively. Without this angle, your opponent can use their base and posture to simply stand up or posture out of the position. The angle also prevents them from rolling forward to escape and positions your hips optimally to generate the rotational pressure that finishes the submission.
Q4: What are the two most valuable transitions when your omoplata submission is defended, and why? A: The two highest-value transitions are the sweep and the back take. The sweep works because the omoplata configuration naturally off-balances opponent toward their trapped arm side - simply elevate and roll them over using your leg leverage. The back take occurs when opponent rolls forward to escape the shoulder pressure, exposing their back as they turn. Many high-level practitioners value these transitions more than the submission itself because they reliably advance position even against skilled defenders.
Q5: How does the rolling omoplata variation solve the problem of opponent grip-fighting your legs? A: The rolling omoplata uses a dynamic forward roll over your shoulder to break opponent’s defensive grips on your legs. By rolling forward while maintaining wrist control, you use momentum and rotation to strip their grips while re-establishing the omoplata position from a new angle. This variation transforms their grip-fighting defense into an opportunity, as their committed grips make them slower to defend the re-attack after you complete the roll.
Q6: What injury risks are associated with combining omoplata pressure with neck cranking, and how should pressure be directed? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Combining omoplata with neck cranking creates critical injury risk to the cervical spine, potentially causing neck strains or more serious cervical injuries. All submission pressure should be directed exclusively at the shoulder joint through hip rotation and thigh pressure against the scapula. The leg behind opponent’s head is for positional control only - it should never be used to generate cranking pressure on the neck. This is a fundamental safety violation that can cause serious training injuries.
Q7: Why is the triangle leg lock configuration critical to omoplata success? A: The figure-four triangle lock serves three essential functions: it prevents opponent from removing their trapped arm from the entanglement, it secures your leg position behind their head for control, and it creates a unified leg structure that generates consistent pressure during hip rotation. Without a tight triangle lock, opponent can simply pull their arm free or remove their head from your leg control, breaking down the entire position before you can establish finishing pressure.
Q8: What is the relationship between omoplata and triangle choke, and how does this create attacking opportunities? A: Omoplata and triangle choke share nearly identical setup requirements - both need broken posture, arm isolation, and similar leg configurations. This creates powerful combination attacks where defending one submission opens the other. If opponent postures up to defend omoplata, the triangle becomes available by adjusting leg position. If opponent defends triangle by removing their head, the omoplata opens as their arm is already trapped. Advanced practitioners use this relationship to create unsolvable dilemmas where every defensive choice leads to a different submission.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The omoplata family represents a perfect case study in systematic submission design because it exemplifies the principle of creating multiple offensive threats from a single positional framework. The standard omoplata, rolling omoplata, baratoplata, and tarikoplata variations all share the fundamental mechanic of shoulder joint isolation through hip pressure and leg entanglement, but they attack from different angles and solve different defensive problems. What makes omoplata truly sophisticated is understanding that the submission itself is often less valuable than the positional control and transition opportunities it creates. When you establish omoplata configuration, your opponent faces a true dilemma: defend the shoulder lock and give up the sweep, defend the sweep and expose the back, or defend both and succumb to the submission. This multi-layered threat structure is what transforms technique into system. From a safety perspective, the omoplata demands exceptional care because shoulder injuries heal slowly and often require surgical intervention. The rotator cuff and shoulder capsule cannot sustain the same pressure tolerance as larger joints. Every application in training must be progressive over 3-5 seconds minimum, with clear communication and immediate release upon tap. The shoulder joint’s vulnerability makes omoplata an excellent teaching tool for developing submission control and partner awareness.
- Gordon Ryan: In high-level competition, I’ve found that omoplata works best as a positional control platform rather than a pure finishing technique, though the finish is absolutely there against opponents who don’t respect it. The reason omoplata is so effective at the highest levels isn’t the submission rate - it’s the back-take rate. When you lock up a tight omoplata configuration, your opponent has two choices: stay there and get submitted, or roll forward to escape. If they roll forward, I’m following them and taking the back, which is often better than the submission itself. The rolling omoplata variation is particularly effective in no-gi because grip-fighting prevents the standard finish, so the dynamic roll breaks their defensive structure and resets the position in your favor. In training versus competition, there’s a massive difference in application speed. In competition, I finish omoplata quickly because I need the points or submission before time runs out. In training, I never apply that speed because shoulder injuries take training partners off the mat for months. The same position that takes five seconds to develop in training might take one second in competition. Understanding this distinction is critical - train slow, compete fast, and always prioritize your training partners’ safety because you need them healthy to help you improve.
- Eddie Bravo: The 10th Planet system uses omoplata as one of the primary attacks from rubber guard positions because the overhook control and leg configurations create perfect setup angles. What most people don’t understand is that omoplata variations like baratoplata and tarikoplata aren’t just fancy alternatives - they solve specific defensive problems that shut down the standard finish. When someone defends omoplata by turning into you or grabbing your legs, the baratoplata gives you a completely different angle of attack that bypasses their defense. The tarikoplata from Mission Control is even more unconventional because you’re attacking the shoulder while controlling the opposite side of their body, creating confusion about which arm is actually in danger. Innovation in omoplata comes from recognizing that the same fundamental principle - shoulder isolation through leg control - can be applied from infinite angles and positions. In training, we emphasize that omoplata should flow smoothly into sweeps and back takes rather than forcing the finish. Some of the best omoplata practitioners rarely finish it - they use it to set up everything else. Safety-wise, omoplata is one of those submissions where ego can cause serious injuries. Guys try to muscle out of it or refuse to tap, and then they’re out for six months with rotator cuff surgery. We drill a strong safety culture around shoulder locks - slow application, early tapping, and absolute respect for your training partner’s physical limits.