Bernardo Faria Omoplata System

Submission Chain Intermediate difficulty

What is Bernardo Faria Omoplata System?

The Bernardo Faria Omoplata System is a BJJGraph study framework for connecting omoplata entries with control, defensive-reaction recognition and the choice between attacking and taking top position.

Omoplata Everyone offers a focused instructional destination for this shoulder-lock family. Its contents include gi-grip entries, standing and rolling reactions, related attacks and the decision to give up the submission for a positional result. The title is the course name, not a promise that an omoplata will work on every opponent.

BJJGraph’s original plan below begins with a closed-guard entry and treats the resulting control as its own skill. A defender standing, rolling or connecting their hands presents a different problem each time. Practise identifying those reactions before choosing a response, and keep a sweep or guard-recovery option available when the original attack no longer fits.

Study this system with BJJ Fanatics

Explore a relevant instructional alongside this guide. Check the syllabus and sample on BJJ Fanatics to decide whether it suits your training.

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Omoplata Everyone

with Bernardo Faria

Who it suits: Gi students who already know a basic omoplata and want reaction-specific troubleshooting; several setups depend on fabric grips.

An omoplata-focused course with gi entries, standing and rolling defences, and a positional branch when the finish is unavailable.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics →

Core Principles

• Treat entry and retained omoplata control as different stages.
• Track the defender’s posture before selecting the next response.
• Recognise the role of sleeve, belt or lapel grips in a chosen gi setup.
• Distinguish maintaining a shoulder attack from accepting a positional result.
• Compare standing and rolling reactions in separate drills.
• Use controlled movement and release shoulder-lock pressure immediately on a partner signal.

Key Components

Closed-guard entry (Create a familiar starting sequence for the study plan.) Select a sleeve-based entry and identify the point at which the arm is captured in the intended omoplata configuration.

Posture response (Choose a response based on posture rather than a memorised continuation.) Observe whether the defender remains low or begins to stand and identify how that changes the available connection.

Roll and grip defence (Separate distinct obstacles to continued shoulder control.) Compare a controlled rolling response with a joined-hands defence without assuming they require the same answer.

Submission-to-position choice (Make the positional branch an intentional part of the system.) Assess when keeping the attack is useful and when accepting top position gives a clearer outcome.

Implementation Sequence

1. Choose one gi entry: Start with the closed-guard sleeve-grip lesson. Note which fabric controls are essential and stop at the intended omoplata position.

2. Confirm retained control: Have the partner make a small posture adjustment without rolling. Observe whether the arm remains captured before considering the finish.

3. Study the standing response: Review the relevant section with a coach and practise recognising the posture change without forcing shoulder pressure.

4. Compare the rolling defence: Use a separate cooperative round with an agreed roll and endpoint. Determine whether the attack can be retained or whether a positional result is available.

5. Choose the outcome: Repeat the original entry with one of the two agreed reactions. State whether the next goal is continued control, top position or guard recovery.

Where to begin in the instructional

Start with the closed-guard sleeve entry, then compare standing reactions with the later rolling-defence and positional-result sections.

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Explore the course contents on BJJ Fanatics: Omoplata Everyone →

What Challenges Will You Face?

• The entry depends on a sleeve grip that the student has not established.: Rebuild the entry from its actual grip requirements before opening guard.
• Standing and rolling defences are treated as the same reaction.: Practise them in separate rounds and name the change before responding.
• The attacker retains a shoulder lock while the partner rolls unpredictably.: Reset and use a cooperative, coach-approved rolling drill with no finishing pressure.
• A useful sweep is declined because the original submission did not finish.: Review the positional result as a legitimate branch and practise stabilising top position.

How to Measure Your Progress

Grip-to-entry clarity: Assess the relationship between the gi grip and the initial capture. Proficiency indicators:

• Names the essential grip
• Recognises the captured arm
• Stops at the control position

Reaction discrimination: Identify the defender’s chosen posture change. Proficiency indicators:

• Distinguishes standing
• Distinguishes rolling
• Recognises a joined-hands defence

Control continuity: Check what remains after a defensive movement. Proficiency indicators:

• Tracks the arm
• Notices a lost connection
• Resets before forcing the shoulder

Outcome selection: Review the chosen goal after the reaction. Proficiency indicators:

• Can retain the attack when appropriate
• Can accept top position
• Can choose guard recovery

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

BJJGraph suggests a closed-guard entry followed by two separate reaction rounds. In the first, the partner begins a slow standing response; in the second, use a coach-approved cooperative roll with a clear stopping point. Apply no finishing pressure during the comparison. Name whether the next objective is retained control, a positional result or guard recovery.

Progression Path

Entry (Focus: Establish the sleeve-based capture from closed guard.) Posture (Focus: Recognise a slow standing response.) Rolling (Focus: Compare a cooperative roll with a fixed endpoint.) Choice (Focus: Select continued attack, top position or guard recovery from the observed reaction.)

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the gi grips needed for the chosen entry.
• Forcing the same response against standing and rolling defences.
• Treating a sweep as a failed submission instead of a useful outcome.

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Omoplata (Submission) - The primary shoulder-lock reference.
• Omoplata Control (Position) - The intended stopping point after entry.
• Closed Guard (Position) - The first entry context.
• Lasso Guard (Position) - Another gi-grip context for later study.
• Butterfly Guard (Position) - A different guard entry context.
• Half Guard (Position) - A further starting position to compare.
• Triangle Choke (Submission) - A related attack with separate control requirements.
• Monoplata (Submission) - A neighbouring shoulder-lock configuration.
• Sleeve Control (Principle) - Explains the role of the initial gi grip.
• Action and Reaction (Principle) - Frames the decision after a posture change.

Take one idea into your next session

BJJGraph suggestion: separate standing and rolling response rounds and name whether your next objective is control or top position.

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Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: Omoplata Everyone →