Omoplata vs De la Riva Ankle Lock
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Omoplata Lock·Brandon Quick
My friend Igor is a Olive officer, friend and student in Brussels, Belgium. We have been to Portugal, Germany and Amster…
Omoplata Lock
SubFamily足三角絡み
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Omoplata (Portuguese for 'shoulder blade') is a shoulder lock submission applied from the guard where the attacker uses their legs to isolate the opponent's arm and rotate the shoulder beyond its normal range — one of the three fundamental guard submissions alongside the armbar and triangle choke. [1] The technique works by trapping the opponent's arm between the attacker's legs in a figure-four configuration, then sitting up and leaning forward to create a rotational force on the opponent's shoulder (internal rotation), similar to a kimura but executed with the legs instead of the arms. [1],[2] The omoplata was popularised in BJJ competition by Nino Schembri (whose creative omoplata attacks from various positions earned him the nickname 'Elvis') and has since become a fundamental technique taught at every BJJ academy. [2],[3] Beyond its submission value, the omoplata is one of the most versatile positions in BJJ — it serves as a sweep, a back take setup, and a controlling position even when the submission itself is defended. [3]
OmoplataAshi Sankaku GaramiJPShoulder Lock from Guard
History & Origin
The omoplata derives from judo's ashi garami (a different technique from the leg lock ashi garami) and was adapted into BJJ. [1] Nino Schembri popularised creative omoplata attacks in the late 1990s-2000s, demonstrating the technique from numerous positions and earning fame for his innovative approach. [1],[2] The technique has become one of the three fundamental guard submissions in modern BJJ (alongside armbar and triangle), taught at every academy worldwide. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The omoplata is one of the highest-percentage shoulder lock submissions in BJJ competition. [1] Its versatility (submission, sweep, controlling position, back take setup) makes it one of the most valuable techniques to develop. [2] Clark Gracie and Nino Schembri have demonstrated omoplata mastery at the highest competitive levels. [3]
Lineage
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Isolating the opponent's arm with the legs and applying internal rotation to the shoulder by sitting up and leaning forward — the opponent's shoulder rotates behind their back as in a kimura
Joints Involved — Attacker's legs (figure-four around the opponent's arm — one leg over the shoulder, one behind the back, locking the arm), attacker's hips (sitting up and rotating to apply the shoulder torque), opponent's shoulder (the target — internal rotation stresses the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff)
Force Vector — Rotational — the opponent's arm is rotated internally (behind their back) using the attacker's bodyweight and hip rotation as the force; the opponent's trunk is pinned with the attacker's legs while the shoulder rotates
Submission Mechanic — The omoplata uses the legs as a long lever against the shoulder — the legs provide greater leverage than the arms (as used in the kimura), making the omoplata a powerful shoulder lock; the opponent is face-down with one arm trapped, unable to posture or roll without exposing the shoulder
Position & Entry
From closed guard (failed triangle) — When the opponent defends a triangle attempt by pulling their arm free, swing the attacking leg over their shoulder and establish the omoplata — the triangle defence creates the omoplata opening [1]
From spider guard (lasso) — From lasso spider guard, release the lasso wrap and swing the leg over the opponent's arm, establishing the omoplata — one of the highest-percentage omoplata entries
From failed armbar — When the opponent stacks the armbar attempt, switch the legs from armbar to omoplata by swinging one leg over the shoulder
From top position (reverse omoplata) — From mount or side control, trap the opponent's arm with the legs and sit through to apply the omoplata from top [2]
Videos
Learn How To Lock In The Perfect Omoplata Submission
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Omoplata Lock·Stay Safe Martial Arts
The Omoplata is one of the easier submissions to get to, but hard to finish. Pay attention to these key details in orde…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
The omoplata attacks the shoulder joint; if applied aggressively, it can cause rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocation, or AC joint separation; the technique should be applied gradually in training
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 omoplata chains perfectly with the armbar and triangle — the three submissions flow together as the opponent defends each one (armbar defended → triangle; triangle defended → omoplata; omoplata defended → armbar or sweep) [1]
✓Sitting up and controlling the opponent's hip is critical — without sitting up, the omoplata lacks the leverage to finish; without hip control, the opponent can roll forward to escape
✓The omoplata is as valuable as a sweep as it is as a submission — many competitors use the omoplata position to sweep even when the submission isn't available
✓Train the omoplata from spider/lasso guard — the lasso entry is the highest-percentage omoplata setup in competition
✓Nino Schembri's competition footage is essential study material — his creative omoplata entries from unexpected positions expanded the technique's application [2]
✓Control the far-side hip — grabbing the opponent's belt or hip prevents the forward roll escape
✓The omoplata can be used as a controlling position — even when the submission is defended, maintaining the omoplata position keeps the opponent face-down and controlled
Common Mistakes
!Not sitting up — the omoplata's leverage comes from the attacker sitting up perpendicular to the opponent; staying flat on the back = no leverage
!Not controlling the hip — without hip control (grabbing the belt or far hip), the opponent can roll forward to escape
!Trying to finish before the arm is fully isolated — the leg must be fully over the shoulder with the arm trapped; attempting to finish from a partial position fails
!Scooting hips too far away — the hips must stay close to the opponent; too much distance reduces the shoulder torque
!Not using the omoplata as a sweep when the submission is defended — the position offers a sweep even when the opponent resists the lock
!Neglecting the omoplata in no-gi — the omoplata works equally well in gi and no-gi; many practitioners only train it in gi
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Forward Roll — rolling forward over the omoplata to escape the shoulder lockPosture Up — driving upward to prevent the attacker from sitting upClasp Hands — gripping both hands together prevents arm isolationStack — driving weight forward to compress the attackerPull Arm Free — extracting the trapped arm before the lock is set
Setup Chain
1Establish Guard
2Attack with Armbar or Triangle — create the initial submission threat
3Transition to Omoplata — when the opponent defends, swing the leg over their shoulder
4Isolate the Arm — trap the arm between the legs in figure-four
5Sit Up — come perpendicular to the opponent
6Control the Hip — grab the belt or far hip to prevent the roll
7Apply Pressure — lean forward to rotate the shoulder internally
8Finish — maintain rotation until the opponent taps
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Nino Schembri competition career [3] Modern BJJ curriculum analysis
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3BookNino Schembri competition analysis
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Nino Schembri competition career [3] Modern BJJ curriculum analysis
6CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
7CitationNino Schembri competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility (swinging the leg over the shoulder), core strength (sitting up for the finish), leg dexterity
Favours
long legs (easier to reach over the shoulder), flexible hips, strong core
Key muscles
hip flexors (leg positioning), core (sitting up), adductors (squeezing the arm), obliques (rotation for the finish)
Sub-techniques
Notes
The omoplata (ashi-sankaku-garami in judo) appears in over 275 passages across our book corpus. BJ Penn's Closed Guard book dedicates an entire section to omoplata setups. The technique functions as both a submission and a sweep — if the opponent rolls to escape the shoulder lock, the attacker follows into a mounted position. (BJ Penn, Closed Guard; Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Master Text, Simco)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is getting a good catch so important in the omoplata?
The catch is the most important part of the omoplata because without a solid grip on your opponent's shoulder, they can escape immediately. Ensuring you have a good bite on the shoulder prevents them from getting out right away.
Should I always use both hands to control the trapped arm in an omoplata?
If you have a good pinch with your legs and body positioning, you don't necessarily need to use both hands to control the trapped arm. However, grabbing the wrist and stuffing it into your pocket while keeping the hold as tight as possible provides additional security.
How should I position my leg when setting up an omoplata?
Your leg should be secured to your hip either with your hand, with your side, or ideally both. It's not just about having the leg behind the knee—the key is making sure it's properly anchored to your hip for control.
What's one strategic way to use the omoplata besides just finishing the submission?
You can use the omoplata to take advantage of your opponent's reactions and capitalize off those reactions, rather than focusing solely on achieving the finish.
How does the Omoplata Lock work?
The Omoplata (Portuguese for 'shoulder blade') is a shoulder lock submission applied from the guard where the attacker uses their legs to isolate the opponent's arm and rotate the shoulder beyond its normal range — one of the three fundamental guard submissions alongside the armbar and triangle choke. The technique works by trapping the opponent's arm between the attacker's legs in a figure-four configuration, then sitting up and leaning forward to create a rotational force on the opponent's shoulder (internal rotation), similar to a kimura but executed with the legs instead of the arms.
Where does the Omoplata Lock come from?
The omoplata derives from judo's ashi garami (a different technique from the leg lock ashi garami) and was adapted into BJJ. Nino Schembri popularised creative omoplata attacks in the late 1990s-2000s, demonstrating the technique from numerous positions and earning fame for his innovative approach.
Is the Omoplata Lock 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 Omoplata Lock?
Danger rating 6/10. Moderate — the omoplata attacks the shoulder joint; if applied aggressively, it can cause rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocation, or AC joint separation; the technique should be applied gradually in training
How do I set up the Omoplata Lock?
The standard setup chain: Establish Guard → Attack with Armbar or Triangle → Transition to Omoplata → Isolate the Arm → Sit Up → Control the Hip → Apply Pressure → Finish.
How do I defend against the Omoplata Lock?
Standard counters include: Forward Roll — rolling forward over the omoplata to escape the shoulder lock / Posture Up — driving upward to prevent the attacker from sitting up / Clasp Hands — gripping both hands together prevents arm isolation / Stack — driving weight forward to compress the attacker.
What are the variants of the Omoplata Lock?
Common variants: Standard omoplata (from closed guard, leg over the shoulder [1]); Lasso omoplata (entered from lasso spider guard); Reverse omoplata (applied from top position); Mounted omoplata (from mount, trapping the arm with the legs); Omoplata sweep (using the omoplata position to sweep rather than submit); Omoplata to back take (using the omoplata control to take the back when the oppo…); Spinning omoplata (rapidly spinning the body to establish the omoplata from …).
How effective is the Omoplata Lock in competition?
The omoplata is one of the most commonly attempted guard submissions in IBJJF competition, used as both a submission and a sweeping tool.
What are common mistakes when doing the Omoplata Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Not sitting up — the omoplata's leverage comes from the attacker sitting up perpendicular to the opponent; staying fl… / Not controlling the hip — without hip control (grabbing the belt or far hip), the opponent can roll forward to escape / Trying to finish before the arm is fully isolated — the leg must be fully over the shoulder with the arm trapped; att… / Scooting hips too far away — the hips must stay close to the opponent; too much distance reduces the shoulder torque.
What are other names for the Omoplata Lock?
The Omoplata Lock is also known as Omoplata, Ashi Sankaku Garami, Shoulder Lock from Guard.