Clever Way to Do Monoplata From the Back with Chad Keel
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Standard Monoplata·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics·Added by Admin
Monoplata From the Back - Chad Keel demonstrates how to do a Monoplata from the Back in this Jiu Jitsu techniques video.…
Standard Monoplata
Genusモノプラタ(Monopurata)
TransliterationTranslation: monoplata
Overview
The monoplata is a shoulder lock applied from top position (mount or side control) where the attacker traps the opponent's arm under their armpit using a single leg, then sits down to hyperextend the shoulder joint through forced internal rotation. [1] The name derives from combining 'mono' (single) with the '-plata' suffix from omoplata, indicating a single-leg shoulder lock variant. Unlike the omoplata (executed from guard), the monoplata is applied from dominant top positions, making it a valuable addition to the mount and side control attack arsenal. [2] Popularized by Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Glover in the late 2000s, the technique exploits the opponent's underhook attempts from bottom position.
MonoplataSingle-Leg Shoulder LockMounted Monoplata
History & Origin
Popularized in the late 2000s by Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Glover. A historical precedent exists with Tsunetane Oda (1892-1955), a judo newaza specialist shown demonstrating a similar technique on video. [1] The name combines 'mono' (single) with '-plata' from omoplata (Portuguese for shoulder blade). [2]
Effectiveness
An underutilized submission from top position that catches many opponents off guard. Particularly effective against opponents who aggressively underhook from bottom mount or side control. In MMA, the combination of shoulder lock with free hands for strikes makes it a powerful positional weapon. [1]
Lineage
Popularized by Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Glover (late 2000s). Possible judo antecedent via Tsunetane Oda. Part of the '-plata' shoulder lock family alongside omoplata, baratoplata, and tarikoplata.
Competition Record
Marcelo Garcia used the monoplata in high-level grappling competition. Jeff Glover demonstrated and competed with monoplata attacks. Less commonly seen as a finish in major competition compared to omoplata or kimura, but effective as a positional weapon and threat from top.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Forced internal rotation of the shoulder joint — same mechanical family as the omoplata and kimura
Arm Trap — Opponent's arm is trapped above the hips under the attacker's armpit; a single leg swings over to lock the position
Leverage — The top of the thighs and rib area control the trapped arm while hands and feet remain free
Finishing Mechanic — Sitting down (similar to armbar motion) while the arm is trapped — hip momentum hyperextends the shoulder; legs and bodyweight against the opponent's single trapped arm
Position & Entry
From mount — Opponent attempts an underhook from bottom mount; swing leg over to trap the arm under your armpit
From side control — When opponent deep underhooks from bottom side control, swing leg over the trapped arm
From triangle choke — Hip bump sweep from triangle landing directly into monoplata position
Variants
Mounted monoplata — applied from mount when opponent attempts underhook
Side control monoplata — applied when opponent deep underhooks from bottom side control
Mounted monoplata with strikes — effective in MMA since hands remain free for ground-and-pound
Closed guard monoplata — setup via omoplata progression when opponent blocks
Armbar transition — switch to straight armbar if opponent's shoulder flexibility prevents the monoplata tap
Videos
Monoplata by Jeff Glover
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Standard Monoplata·BJJ Fanatics
MONOPLATA https://bjjfanatics.com In this jiu jitsu techniques video, Jeff Glover teaches how to do the Monoplata techn…
Jiu-Jitsu For MMA | The Monoplata Submission
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Standard Monoplata·MMA Leech
The Monoplata is one of the most devastating submissions in Jiu-Jitsu, and it translates very well for MMA. It's classic…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard monoplata is a shoulder lock submission executed from various positions, with instructors emphasizing different entry points and setups. Bernardo Faria and Chad Keel demonstrate a distinctive entry from the back control using what they term the "Khabib grip"—a one-handed figure-four grip that exploits space created when the opponent stretches to defend. The technique transitions through a praying-hand position to guide the opponent's arm across their body before hooking and executing the lock. MMA Leech teaches the classical application from mount position, where the attacker traps the opponent's arm by lifting one leg, creates separation by pushing the head down to break the grip, then drives the hand behind the neck while controlling the wrist and elbow. The finish involves either keeping the leg pinned or passing it over the opponent's face before hip-scooping to increase pressure. Jeff Glover emphasizes recognition of the underhook attempt from side control as the trigger point, executing a lean-and-swing motion to trap the arm with the top of the thigh and ribs rather than limb control, leaving hands and feet mobile for transitions to complementary attacks like guillotines, Kimuras, and Pete the Greek wrist locks. All three instructors stress the submission's versatility and interconnectedness with other techniques within their respective positions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — Clever Way to Do Monoplata From the Back with Chad Keel: Introduces the back-control entry using the Khabib grip and praying-hand guide position; emphasizes the monoplata as a fundamental submission that should be taught early in training; discusses developmental history and setup mechanics with detailed slow-motion breakdowns.
- MMA Leech — Jiu-Jitsu For MMA | The Monoplata Submission: Provides the classical mount-position application with emphasis on MMA context; details arm trapping via leg lift, head positioning, grip-breaking mechanics, and the leg-passing finish with hip-scooping; includes bottom variation and posture-control principles.
- BJJ Fanatics — Monoplata by Jeff Glover: Focuses on side-control entry triggered by opponent's underhook attempt; emphasizes limb-free control via thigh and rib compression; catalogs transition options including Pete the Greek wrist lock, Kimura, guillotine, and own plata; stresses recognition and timing over traditional underhook wrestling.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Shoulder lock with gradual pressure buildup — can cause shoulder dislocation or rotator cuff damage if opponent refuses to tap, but the slow grinding nature gives more time to tap compared to explosive submissions
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The monoplata was popularized by Marcelo Garcia in the late 2000s from his mount and side control game. Jeff Glover is another prominent early adopter who developed extensive monoplata attacks, particularly as counters to the opponent's underhook from bottom side control. A historical precedent exists: Tsunetane Oda (1892-1955), a judo newaza specialist, was reportedly shown on video demonstrating a similar technique, suggesting possible judo roots. The key setup is recognizing when the opponent gives an underhook from bottom — rather than fighting the underhook, the attacker capitalizes by trapping the arm with the leg. The position looks awkward and unfinished, which makes it counterintuitive for beginners, but once the concept is grasped, setups from mount and side control are relatively straightforward. In MMA, the mounted monoplata is particularly effective because the attacker's hands remain free for strikes while maintaining the shoulder lock threat, creating a devastating dilemma for the bottom player.
Common Mistakes
!Not recognizing the underhook opportunity — the monoplata is a counter to the opponent's underhook, not a technique forced from neutral
!Leg position too loose — the leg must tightly trap the arm to prevent escape
!Not sitting down decisively — the finish requires committing to the sit-down motion
!Allowing the opponent to roll toward you — must maintain positional control during the transition
!Trying to force it without the underhook trigger — the technique works best as a reaction to the opponent's escape attempt
Related Techniques
Omoplata — guard-based shoulder lock using the same internal rotation mechanismKimura — shoulder lock through internal rotation using figure-four gripArmbar — common transition from monoplata when shoulder flexibility prevents the tapBaratoplata — another shoulder lock variant in the '-plata' familyTarikoplata — hybrid kimura-omoplata
Counter Techniques
Defend the Underhook — don't expose the arm from bottom side control or mountRoll Toward Attacker — relieve shoulder pressure by rolling into the direction of the lockFrame and Create Space — prevent the leg from trapping the armPull Trapped Arm Free — before the position consolidates, retract the arm
Setup Chain
1Establish Top Position — secure mount or side control
2Recognize Underhook Attempt — opponent reaches for underhook from bottom
3Trap the Arm — swing leg over the opponent's extending arm, locking it under your armpit
4Control Position — ensure the arm is trapped between your thigh and ribs
5Sit Down to Finish — commit to the sit-down motion, using hip momentum to hyperextend the shoulder
Sources & References
Primary Source
Evolve MMA — How To Perform The Monoplata in BJJ
1BookBJJ Fanatics — Monoplata Attacks with Jeff Glover
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Evolve MMA — How To Perform The Monoplata (evolve-mma.com) || BJJ World — Are You Hitting The Monoplata? (bjj-world.com) || BJJEE — The Monoplata Is The Missing Piece (bjjee.com) || BJJ Fanatics — Monoplata Attacks with Jeff Glover
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Technique instruction — [1] Evolve MMA — monoplata technical breakdown
[2] BJJ World — setup analysis and competition application
6CitationBJJEE — The Monoplata Is The Missing Piece (bjjee.com)
Instructional — BJJ Fanatics — Monoplata Attacks with Jeff Glover
7CitationBJJ Fanatics — Monoplata Attacks with Jeff Glover
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility for leg swing, understanding of top position mechanics
Favours
good hip flexibility
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, core stabilizers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I finish the monoplata once I have the position locked in?
MMA Leech recommends pressing the opponent's face down while keeping their elbow pulled up toward your body to secure the finish, though some practitioners prefer passing the leg over as an alternative finish depending on grip control.
Can I do the monoplata from the bottom position?
Yes, according to MMA Leech, you can apply the monoplata from bottom by controlling your opponent's posture and wrapping their arm to prevent strikes, then hip escaping and getting a front hook to come on top into the submission.
What's a good setup cue to know when to attack the monoplata?
Jeff Glover notes that when your opponent starts to posture up against you, that's your indicator to attack with the monoplata, especially if you couldn't control their underhook enough.
What submission options do I have if my opponent escapes the monoplata?
According to Bernardo Faria and Chad Keel, you can transition to an armbar from a loose monoplata position if your opponent escapes.
How does the Standard Monoplata work?
The monoplata is a shoulder lock applied from top position (mount or side control) where the attacker traps the opponent's arm under their armpit using a single leg, then sits down to hyperextend the shoulder joint through forced internal rotation. The name derives from combining 'mono' (single) with the '-plata' suffix from omoplata, indicating a single-leg shoulder lock variant.
Where does the Standard Monoplata come from?
Popularized in the late 2000s by Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Glover. A historical precedent exists with Tsunetane Oda (1892-1955), a judo newaza specialist shown demonstrating a similar technique on video.
Is the Standard Monoplata legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Monoplata?
Danger rating 6/10. Shoulder lock with gradual pressure buildup — can cause shoulder dislocation or rotator cuff damage if opponent refuses to tap, but the slow grinding nature gives more time to tap compared to explosive submissions
How do I set up the Standard Monoplata?
The standard setup chain: Establish Top Position → Recognize Underhook Attempt → Trap the Arm → Control Position → Sit Down to Finish.
How do I defend against the Standard Monoplata?
Standard counters include: Defend the Underhook — don't expose the arm from bottom side control or mount / Roll Toward Attacker — relieve shoulder pressure by rolling into the direction of the lock / Frame and Create Space — prevent the leg from trapping the arm / Pull Trapped Arm Free — before the position consolidates, retract the arm.
What are the variants of the Standard Monoplata?
Common variants: Mounted monoplata (applied from mount when opponent attempts underhook); Side control monoplata (applied when opponent deep underhooks from bottom side co…); Mounted monoplata with strikes (effective in MMA since hands remain free for ground-and-p…); Closed guard monoplata (setup via omoplata progression when opponent blocks); Armbar transition (switch to straight armbar if opponent's shoulder flexibil…).
How effective is the Standard Monoplata in competition?
Marcelo Garcia used the monoplata in high-level grappling competition. Jeff Glover demonstrated and competed with monoplata attacks.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Monoplata?
Top errors to watch for: Not recognizing the underhook opportunity — the monoplata is a counter to the opponent's underhook, not a technique f… / Leg position too loose — the leg must tightly trap the arm to prevent escape / Not sitting down decisively — the finish requires committing to the sit-down motion / Allowing the opponent to roll toward you — must maintain positional control during the transition.
What are other names for the Standard Monoplata?
The Standard Monoplata is also known as Monopurata, Monoplata, Single-Leg Shoulder Lock, Mounted Monoplata.