Shin Removal to Pass represents a critical defensive technique executed when caught in gogoplata control from the top position. This escape addresses one of the most technically challenging submission positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the opponent has threaded their shin across your throat while securing their foot behind your head. The technique requires methodical extraction of your head from the closed loop system created by the shin-across-throat configuration.
The strategic importance of this escape lies in understanding that conventional pulling or posturing attempts fail against a properly established gogoplata. The foot-behind-head configuration creates a closed system where backward movement tightens rather than loosens the choke. Therefore, systematic shin removal requires changing angles and addressing the leg mechanics rather than fighting against the submission structure.
This technique is particularly valuable because gogoplata attacks have become increasingly prevalent in modern competition, especially among flexible guard players utilizing rubber guard systems. Developing reliable shin removal mechanics provides essential defensive coverage against these specialized attacks while also opening pathways to dominant passing positions. The pass completion to side control transforms a defensive emergency into an offensive opportunity, making this a high-value skill for competitive practitioners.
From Position: Gogoplata Control (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 65% |
| Failure | Gogoplata Control | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 10% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Address the foot-behind-head configuration before attempting… | Maintain hip elevation throughout to preserve the perpendicu… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Address the foot-behind-head configuration before attempting shin extraction to prevent immediate re-establishment
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Use lateral head movement rather than pulling straight backward to change the angle of shin pressure
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Maintain hand control on opponent’s hips to prevent hip elevation that increases submission pressure
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Create breathing space first by turning chin toward the attacking leg before initiating full escape
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Time extraction attempts when opponent adjusts position or attempts to tighten the submission
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Complete the pass immediately after extraction to prevent guard recovery and establish dominant position
Execution Steps
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Create breathing space: Turn your chin slightly toward the attacking shin to reduce direct trachea compression. This buys ti…
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Control opponent’s hips: Place both hands on opponent’s hips and press downward to prevent hip elevation. Elevated hips maint…
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Address foot position: Use one hand to find and control opponent’s foot that is secured behind your head. Push the foot upw…
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Lateral head extraction: Move your head laterally toward the side opposite the choking leg while maintaining foot control. Do…
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Clear the leg: As your head extracts, use your shoulder and arm to push opponent’s leg completely off your neck and…
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Complete the pass: Drive immediately into side control by establishing chest-to-chest contact perpendicular to opponent…
Common Mistakes
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Pulling head straight backward away from opponent to escape shin pressure
- Consequence: The foot-behind-head configuration prevents backward movement and pulling motion tightens the choke by increasing shin pressure against throat
- Correction: Focus on lateral head movement and changing angles rather than pulling away; work to remove foot from behind head first before attempting head extraction
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Grabbing and pulling at the choking shin directly with both hands
- Consequence: The leg is stronger than your arms making direct pulling ineffective; hand positioning away from hips allows opponent to re-elevate hips and increase pressure
- Correction: Use hands to control opponent’s hips and the foot behind your head rather than the shin itself; the shin follows when you address the foot anchor
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Panicking and making explosive uncontrolled movements when feeling choke pressure
- Consequence: Random movements often expose neck further, tighten existing submission, or create opportunities for triangle and omoplata transitions
- Correction: Stay calm and work systematically through escape sequence; controlled technical movements are more effective than explosive struggling
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Maintain hip elevation throughout to preserve the perpendicular shin angle that creates maximum throat compression
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Keep the foot behind their head deep and controlled with your own hands to prevent the anchor point from being addressed
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Monitor opponent’s hand positioning - hands leaving your hips to address the foot signals the beginning of their escape sequence
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Prepare triangle and omoplata transitions as contingency attacks when primary gogoplata control is compromised
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Use your free leg to control their posture and prevent the lateral head movement that enables extraction
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Accept closed guard recovery as a favorable fallback rather than desperately holding a compromised gogoplata position
Recognition Cues
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Opponent turns their chin toward the attacking shin rather than fighting the choke directly, indicating they are creating breathing space as the first step of systematic escape
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Opponent places both hands on your hips with downward pressure rather than grabbing the choking leg, signaling they understand the correct escape mechanics and are preparing to drop your hip elevation
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Opponent’s head begins moving laterally toward the side opposite the choking leg rather than pulling straight back, indicating they have addressed the foot anchor and are executing the extraction phase
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Opponent shifts one hand from your hips toward the foot behind their head, signaling they are transitioning from hip control phase to foot address phase of the escape
Defensive Options
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Pull foot deeper behind opponent’s head and elevate hips aggressively when you feel them controlling your hips - When: Early in escape sequence when opponent begins pressing your hips down but has not yet addressed the foot anchor
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Transition to triangle by switching leg configuration as opponent’s head begins lateral extraction movement - When: When opponent has successfully loosened the shin position and begun lateral head extraction, making gogoplata finish unlikely
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Release gogoplata voluntarily and recover to closed guard before opponent completes the pass - When: When shin position is compromised beyond recovery and opponent is clearing the leg but has not yet established side control contact
Position Integration
Shin Removal to Pass fits into the broader gogoplata defense system as the primary technical escape when caught in this advanced submission position. It integrates with overall guard passing strategy by providing a pathway from defensive emergency directly to dominant side control. The technique builds on fundamental escape principles of creating space, changing angles, and addressing anchor points rather than fighting directly against submission structure. It also connects to the rubber guard defense system, as gogoplata typically emerges from mission control and other rubber guard variations. Developing this escape ensures comprehensive defensive coverage against flexible guard players and provides confidence to engage passes against rubber guard specialists.