Gogoplata CHOKE | Setups and 4 WAYS to finish
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Gogoplata·Energia Martial Arts·Added by Admin
Gogoplata CHOKE | Setups and 4 WAYS to finish Go-go Plata rangers! Guys we have been over this unique choke several time…
Gogoplata
Genus脛前絞(Sune-mae-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: Shin-Front Strangle
Overview
The gogoplata is a guard-based choke where the attacker places their shin across the opponent's throat and pulls the head down onto the shin using an overhook or hands behind the head. [1],[2] From rubber guard, high guard, or mission control, the attacker threads the leg over the opponent's shoulder and positions the shin blade directly across the trachea or carotid arteries. [1],[3] The shin provides a rigid compression surface that creates intense pressure with relatively little effort once positioned correctly. [1],[4] The gogoplata requires significant hip flexibility to execute effectively. [1],[5]
History & Origin
The gogoplata gained mainstream attention through Shinya Aoki and other MMA fighters in the mid-2000s, though the shin-across-throat mechanic existed in earlier grappling traditions. [1],[2] Eddie Bravo's rubber guard system popularized the gogoplata in BJJ by creating systematic pathways to achieve the shin-on-throat position from closed guard. [1],[3] Nick Diaz's famous gogoplata finish at UFC further cemented the technique's place in grappling history. [1],[4],[5]
Effectiveness
The gogoplata places the shin across the opponent's throat from guard, creating a choke that requires significant hip flexibility but generates intense pressure once locked. [1] The technique is considered low-percentage at the highest levels due to flexibility requirements, but is extremely difficult to survive once fully applied. [1],[2]
Lineage
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Anterior compression of the trachea and airway — direct pressure on the throat restricts breathing and triggers tap
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion under pressure), hyoid bone region, laryngeal cartilage
Force Vector — Posterior-to-anterior force drives the forearm or wrist blade into the throat
Choking Mechanism — Tracheal compression — restricts air flow rather than blood flow, causing sensation of suffocation
Position & Entry
From guard (bottom position) — Use legs to control the opponent's head and arm, lock the leg configuration and apply compression
From mount (top) — Transition from mount by isolating an arm and threading legs around the head and arm
From side control (spinning) — Spin to face the opponent's legs, throw legs over the head to lock the choke
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
The gogoplata uses the shin against the throat from rubber guard; requires extreme flexibility
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The gogoplata uses the shin bone pressed across the opponent's throat while pulling the head down with the hands — creating a hybrid choke using the legs from guard (Danaher, Guard Retention and Submissions, 2020)
✓From rubber guard or high guard: place one shin across the front of the opponent's neck (under the chin), then grip the head with both hands and pull it down into the shin — the shin compresses the trachea and arteries
✓The gogoplata requires extraordinary flexibility: the attacking leg must reach across the opponent's neck while the hips remain on the ground — this demands hip flexibility that most grapplers develop over years
✓Shinya Aoki and Nate Diaz both finished gogoplatas in professional competition — demonstrating that the technique works at the highest levels despite its difficulty
✓The shin is one of the hardest bones in the body: when pressed against the soft tissue of the neck, it creates devastating pressure that is nearly impossible to withstand
✓The technique often starts from the rubber guard system: the attacker uses the 'mission control' position to control the opponent's posture, then transitions to placing the shin across the throat
✓The gogoplata can also function as a sweep threat: if the choke doesn't finish, the off-balanced opponent can be swept to mount while the attacker maintains the shin position
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without sufficient hip flexibility — the gogoplata requires the shin to reach across the neck; without flexibility, the position cannot be achieved safely
!Not pulling the head down — the shin alone doesn't create enough pressure; both hands must pull the head into the shin for the choke to work
!Placing the shin across the front of the throat only — while trachea compression works, angling the shin to also compress the carotid arteries makes the choke more effective and faster
!Losing rubber guard control before the shin is in place — maintain mission control position until the shin is fully seated; premature release allows the opponent to posture
!Forcing the position against a stacking opponent — if the opponent drives forward and stacks, the gogoplata angle is compromised; re-establish guard distance first
!Not using the free leg to control the opponent's posture — the non-choking leg should hook the opponent's body or shoulder to prevent them from pulling away
!Over-committing to the gogoplata when flexibility is limited — if the shin can't reach comfortably, the resulting position is weak and leads to guard passes
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Shooto / Japanese BJJ — shin-across-throat technique
1BookShooto / Japanese BJJ — shin-across-throat technique
Japanese terminology sourced from Shooto / Japanese BJJ — shin-across-throat technique
2OtherShooto (Japanese MMA)
Japanese MMA pioneer organization — technique terminology
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationShooto / Japanese BJJ — shin-across-throat technique
Japanese terminology sourced from Shooto / Japanese BJJ — shin-across-throat technique
Community
Athletics
Requires
exceptional hip flexibility, long legs
Favours
extreme lower body flexibility (rubber guard practitioners)
Key muscles
hip flexors, hamstrings, adductors
Sub-techniques
Notes
The gogoplata appears in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text (Simco) including an omoplata-to-gogoplata transition sequence. A rubber guard choke where the shin presses across the opponent's throat from guard. Extremely rare in competition but spectacular when achieved. (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text, Simco)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the basic finishing mechanics for a gogoplata choke?
The easiest way to finish is to reach for your opponent's head with both hands and pull it in while flexing your shin underneath their chin. Energia Martial Arts also demonstrates reaching behind the head to grab your own foot, then flexing your arm and falling back for added pressure.
How do I set up a gogoplata from the rubber guard or mission control position?
From mission control, bring your opponent's posture forward using your legs and grips on their body. You can then transition to rubber guard or the Sean Williams guard variation by throwing your leg over and controlling their shin with your arm while pushing their head away with your elbow.
What should I do if my opponent defends by tucking their chin?
If your opponent puts their chin to their chest and you can't get underneath, flex away and transition to an omoplata as a submission, sweep, or other follow-up option. Alternatively, use your knee to bump and kick their arm, then weave your leg over to re-establish the gogoplata with a stronger grip on the shin.
Are there knee safety concerns with the gogoplata?
Yes—if you're not very flexible, the position can put pressure on the outside of your knee. Energia Martial Arts recommends keeping your hips facing to the side rather than straight up, and suggests the Sean Williams guard variation as a safer alternative that puts less tension on the knee.
How does the Gogoplata work?
The gogoplata is a guard-based choke where the attacker places their shin across the opponent's throat and pulls the head down onto the shin using an overhook or hands behind the head. From rubber guard, high guard, or mission control, the attacker threads the leg over the opponent's shoulder and positions the shin blade directly across the trachea or carotid arteries.
Where does the Gogoplata come from?
The gogoplata gained mainstream attention through Shinya Aoki and other MMA fighters in the mid-2000s, though the shin-across-throat mechanic existed in earlier grappling traditions. Eddie Bravo's rubber guard system popularized the gogoplata in BJJ by creating systematic pathways to achieve the shin-on-throat position from closed guard.
Is the Gogoplata legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Gogoplata?
Danger rating 8/10. The gogoplata uses the shin against the throat from rubber guard; requires extreme flexibility
How do I set up the Gogoplata?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Gogoplata?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Gogoplata?
Common variants: Standard gogoplata (shin placed across the throat from rubber guard or high g…); Mounted gogoplata (applied from mount position, shin across the throat); Reverse gogoplata (applied from behind or inverted position).
How effective is the Gogoplata in competition?
Nick Diaz submitted Takanori Gomi with a gogoplata at PRIDE 33 (2007), one of the most famous submissions in MMA history. The technique remains rare in high-level competition due to its flexibility requirements.
What are common mistakes when doing the Gogoplata?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without sufficient hip flexibility — the gogoplata requires the shin to reach across the neck; without fle… / Not pulling the head down — the shin alone doesn't create enough pressure; both hands must pull the head into the shi… / Placing the shin across the front of the throat only — while trachea compression works, angling the shin to also comp… / Losing rubber guard control before the shin is in place — maintain mission control position until the shin is fully s….
What are other names for the Gogoplata?
The Gogoplata is also known as Sune-mae-jime, Kagato-jime, Shin-Across-Throat Choke, Gogo.