BJJ Graph

Williams Shoulder Lock

Jun 15, 202510 min read

Williams Shoulder Lock

bjjtransitionsubmission10thplanetshoulderlock

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Submission ID: S401
  • Submission Name: Williams Shoulder Lock
  • Alternative Names: Williams Lock, 10th Planet Shoulder Attack

State Machine Properties

Submission Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: High - technical difficulty assessment
  • Energy Cost: Medium to High - physical demand of execution
  • Time Required: Medium - duration of submission attempt
  • Risk Level: Medium - chance of position loss if failed

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Medium for hip and leg control
  • Flexibility Requirements: High for shin positioning and hip mobility
  • Coordination Requirements: High for precise arm and shin alignment
  • Endurance Requirements: Medium for sustained control during finish

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed step-by-step description for clear movement sequence visualization:

From the Williams Guard position, you begin by establishing control with your shin crossed behind the opponent’s head or upper back, securing their posture down while trapping their arm against your chest or side for leverage. Maintain tight control over their trapped arm with a grip, often using an overhook or wrist control, ensuring their elbow is positioned to allow shoulder joint manipulation. Adjust your hips to create an optimal angle for pressure, directing force into their shoulder by elevating your leg and shin to increase leverage across their upper back. Apply progressive breaking pressure by extending your leg and driving your hips, synchronizing these movements to create rotational and extension strain on their shoulder joint, maintaining posture control to prevent escapes until they submit due to the intense pressure on the shoulder.

Template: “From Williams Guard, shin behind head, trap arm. Secure grip on arm, control posture. Adjust hips for angle, elevate shin. Extend leg, drive hips for shoulder strain until submission.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Establish position (Williams Guard)
  2. Initial Movement: Cross shin behind opponent’s head or upper back for control
  3. Opponent Response: Opponent may attempt to posture up or extract arm
  4. Adaptation: Secure grip on trapped arm with overhook or wrist control
  5. Positioning: Adjust hips to optimize angle for shoulder joint pressure
  6. Pressure Application: Extend leg and drive hips to create rotational strain
  7. Completion: Maintain posture control, apply progressive pressure until submission

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Grip Requirements: Overhook or wrist control on trapped arm for security
  • Base/Foundation: Shin across head or upper back for leverage and control
  • Timing Windows: Execute when opponent’s posture is broken or arm isolated
  • Leverage Points: Hip drive and shin elevation for shoulder strain
  • Common Adjustments: Adjust hip angle and shin pressure based on defensive posture

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Setup Quality: Security of shin placement and arm control (+/-20%)
  • Timing Precision: Executing during opponent’s posture break (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive posture over time (+/-5%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding shoulder joint mechanics (+/-10%)
  • Positional Control: Effectiveness of shin and hip alignment (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Posture Prevention: Maintaining strong posture to avoid control → Breaking Pressure Avoidance (Success Rate: 25%, Conditions: early reaction)
  • Arm Extraction: Pulling arm free from grip → Defense Recovery (Success Rate: 20%, Conditions: strong arm movement)
  • Forward Pressure: Driving forward to disrupt angle → Position Compromise (Success Rate: 15%, Conditions: quick adjustment)
  • Head Pull: Pulling head to break shin control → Shin Control Break (Success Rate: 10%, Conditions: significant leverage)
  • Stack Defense: Stacking to disrupt base → Alignment Change (Success Rate: 10%, Conditions: strong base)

Format: [[Counter Technique]] → [[Result State]] (Success Rate: X%, Conditions: [when applicable])

Decision Logic for Opponent Behavior

If [williams shoulder lock setup] is not fully secured:
- Execute [[Posture Prevention]] (Probability: 25%)

Else if [arm extraction] can free arm:
- Execute [[Arm Extraction]] (Probability: 20%)

Else if [forward pressure] disrupts angle:
- Execute [[Forward Pressure]] (Probability: 15%)

Else if [head pull] breaks shin control:
- Execute [[Head Pull]] (Probability: 10%)

Else [optimal submission execution]:
- Accept submission (Probability: Success Rate - Modifiers)

Defensive Considerations

Common Threats During Attempt

Primary risks while attempting this submission:

  • Posture Break: Opponent maintains posture to avoid control → Breaking Pressure Avoidance (Threat Level: Medium)
  • Arm Escape: Opponent extracts arm from grip → Defense Recovery (Threat Level: Medium)
  • Angle Disruption: Opponent drives forward to change angle → Position Compromise (Threat Level: Low)
  • Counter Attack: Opponent counters with posture or sweep → Alignment Change (Threat Level: Low)

Format: [[Threat Type]] → [[Resulting Position]] (Threat Level: X)

Defensive Strategies

Methods to mitigate threats:

  • Shin Maintenance: Keep shin tight across head or back to prevent posture
  • Arm Control: Secure strong grip to block arm extraction
  • Hip Pressure: Maintain hip angle to counter forward pressure
  • Posture Adjustment: Adjust shin and body position to counter head pull
  • Adaptation Readiness: Be prepared to switch to other guard attacks if defended

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The Williams Shoulder Lock demonstrates specialized shoulder leverage. Proper shin and hip alignment are critical. It fits within broader joint attack systems.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “Against unfamiliar opponents, Williams Shoulder Lock is effective. I focus on preventing initial guard control. It’s a niche but powerful attack.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “Williams Shoulder Lock is a signature 10th Planet move. Shin positioning and hip drive create unique pressure. It’s essential for rubber guard attacks.”

Each insight should focus on one key technical or strategic element.

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Improper shin positioning behind head or back

  • Why It Fails: Reduces control and leverage on shoulder joint

  • Correction: Ensure shin crosses tightly behind head or upper back

  • Recognition: Pressure feels weak despite arm control

  • Error: Insufficient arm control during setup

  • Why It Fails: Allows opponent to extract arm and escape

  • Correction: Secure overhook or wrist grip before applying pressure

  • Recognition: Arm slips free during submission attempt

  • Error: Poor hip positioning for leverage

  • Why It Fails: Suboptimal angle for shoulder joint strain

  • Correction: Adjust hips to direct force into shoulder joint

  • Recognition: Difficulty creating effective breaking pressure

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this submission:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent’s posture is broken or arm isolated
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains strong posture or arm defense
  • Setup Sequences: As primary attack from Williams Guard after shin control
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete within 5-10 seconds to prevent defense or counter

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of shoulder joint mechanics and leverage
  • Physical Preparation: High flexibility for shin and hip positioning
  • Positional Knowledge: Control from Williams Guard position
  • Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires specialized guard knowledge

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the submission pressure in the Williams Shoulder Lock?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate the Williams Shoulder Lock?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in shin positioning for this submission?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which control is essential for the Williams Shoulder Lock?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent maintains strong posture to defend?”

Variants and Configurations

Different setups within the submission:

  • Standard Williams Shoulder Lock: Traditional execution from Williams Guard
  • Modified Williams Shoulder Lock: With additional wrist control for leverage
  • Williams to Omoplata Transition: Hybrid technique if shoulder lock fails
  • Deep Williams Shoulder Lock: Advanced positioning for deeper pressure
  • No-Gi Williams Shoulder Lock: Adapted gripping for no-gi context

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Shin Familiarization: Practice shin placement behind head or back solo
  • Control Drilling: Work with partner on arm trapping and posture control
  • Pressure Integration: Add hip drive and leg extension for shoulder strain
  • Positioning Practice: Incorporate hip angle adjustments to counter defense
  • Live Application: Use in sparring with focus on timing and transitions

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Establish, cross, secure, adjust, elevate, extend, drive
  • Spatial References: Shin behind head, arm against chest, hips angled
  • Pressure Dynamics: Shoulder strain, rotational pressure, joint extension
  • Momentum Descriptions: Controlled elevation, progressive drive, finishing strain

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Cross shin behind their head, trap arm against your side”
  • Execution Guidance: “Secure grip on arm, maintain posture control”
  • Adjustment Prompts: “Elevate shin, drive hips for shoulder pressure”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Apply strain until they submit, watch for tap”

Technical Specifications

Control Mechanics

Scientific submission analysis:

  • Force Vectors: Rotational force through shin and hip on shoulder joint
  • Leverage Points: Shin elevation and hip drive as fulcrum for strain
  • Stability Factors: Posture control for positional stability
  • Mobility Dynamics: Hip and shin adjustment for dynamic control
  • Energy Efficiency: Moderate to high energy use with specialized return

Success Factors

Elements that strengthen submission:

  • Shin Quality: Precision of shin across head or back (+/-20%)
  • Hip Precision: Optimal angle for shoulder leverage (+/-15%)
  • Arm Control: Effectiveness of trapping opponent’s arm (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive posture over time (+/-5%)
  • Experience Level: Familiarity with 10th Planet mechanics (+/-10%)

Validation Checklist

Every submission file must include:

  • All required properties with specific values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete execution steps list (minimum 7 steps)
  • Strategic advantages and common challenges
  • At least 3 high-probability counters with success rates
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Defensive considerations and strategies
  • Training progression pathway

Example Implementation

See Americana for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent submission data for state machine implementation
  • Detailed control mechanics for realistic modeling
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured counter analysis for complete coverage
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Training progression guidance

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

  • Omoplata - Alternative shoulder attack from guard positions
  • Kimura - Follow-up if shoulder lock angle changes
  • Americana - Secondary shoulder attack if position shifts
  • Triangle Choke Front - Complementary attack from guard if submission fails
  • Armbar Finish - Alternative if arm control is maintained

Historical Context

The Williams Shoulder Lock is a signature technique from Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, developed as part of the innovative Rubber Guard progression in the early 2000s. Named after a specific guard configuration, it showcases the system’s focus on unorthodox control and attack angles, leveraging flexibility and specialized positioning. Its prominence in no-gi and submission-only formats highlights its role in modern grappling’s evolution toward creative joint attacks.

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at higher belt levels in no-gi; restricted in gi, scores as submission win
  • Strategic Use: Niche but effective shoulder attack in competition from guard
  • Versatility: Primarily effective in no-gi or submission-only formats
  • Tournament Impact: Often surprises opponents unfamiliar with 10th Planet defenses

Safety Considerations

  • Pressure Control: Apply shoulder strain gradually to avoid sudden joint damage
  • Partner Awareness: Monitor opponent’s response during application
  • Mat Space: Ensure adequate space for safe guard positioning
  • Release Timing: Release immediately upon tap to prevent shoulder injury
  • Joint Safety: Avoid excessive force beyond reasonable extension point

Submission Integration

Common Williams Shoulder Lock combinations:

Training Applications

  • Positional Specialization: Essential for 10th Planet or Rubber Guard practitioners
  • Competition Preparation: Specialized submission for no-gi tournaments
  • Control Development: Builds understanding of shoulder joint mechanics
  • Tactical Exploration: Encourages creative attack setups from guard positions

Graph View

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