What is an Omoplata? BJJ How-to Tutorial
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Standard Omoplata·fightTIPS·Added by Admin
Coach Erin Herle teaches how to do a omaplata submission (which means 'scapula' in Portuguese). This shoulder lock is do…
Standard Omoplata
Genus足三角絡み(Ashi-Sankaku-Garami)
TraditionalTranslation: Leg Triangle Entanglement
Overview
The omoplata is a shoulder lock applied from guard using the legs to isolate and torque the opponent's arm, forcing internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint beyond its normal range. The attacker swings a leg over the opponent's shoulder, sits up perpendicular, and leans forward to apply downward pressure on the trapped arm. [1] Originally known as ashi-sankaku-garami in judo, the technique was dormant in competition for decades until Nino Schembri revolutionized it in the mid-1990s, transforming it from a low-percentage submission into a complete system of attacks and sweeps. [2] It is one of the fundamental BJJ submissions, forming the famous 'three brothers' trio with the triangle choke and armbar — every triangle setup is also an omoplata setup.
OmoplataAshi-Sankaku-GaramiJPCoil LockLeg Shoulder Lock
History & Origin
The omoplata originated in judo as ashi-sankaku-garami (leg triangle entanglement). It is depicted in Vital Judo: Grappling Techniques by Isao Okano (1976), confirming its judo lineage. [1] The technique arrived in Brazil through judo and catch wrestling influences in the 1930s-1940s but was considered low-percentage for decades. In 1994, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation (CBJJ) changed rules to award points for omoplata sweeps, and Nino Schembri subsequently revolutionized the technique into a complete attacking system, winning back-to-back IBJJF World Championships in 1997-1998. [2]
Effectiveness
The omoplata is one of BJJ's fundamental submissions, forming the triangle-armbar-omoplata trio that constitutes the core guard attack system. [1] While relatively rare as a competition submission finish compared to triangles and armbars, it is extremely common as a transitional tool and sweep. [2] Ben Saunders recorded the first UFC omoplata finish (2014), and Adam Wieczorek the second (2018). In IBJJF competition, the omoplata sweep is one of the highest-percentage reversals from guard.
Lineage
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Forced internal rotation of the humerus beyond the shoulder's normal range of motion via leg pressure across the scapula
Joints Involved — Glenohumeral joint (primary target), elbow joint (secondary stress depending on opponent's flexibility)
Force Vector — The attacker's calf acts as a bar across the opponent's scapula; sitting up and leaning forward creates torque by pushing the opponent's hand toward their head
Leverage Principle — The entire leg serves as a long lever against the isolated arm, generating mechanical advantage similar to a kimura but using legs instead of a figure-four grip
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Control one wrist across the centerline, open guard and swing outside leg over opponent's shoulder, pivot hips perpendicular to opponent
From failed armbar attempt — When opponent pulls arm out of juji-gatame, keep leg over shoulder and transition to omoplata by rotating hips
From rubber guard (Chill Dog) — From mission control, swim leg over opponent's shoulder using rubber guard flexibility, release overhook and sit up to finish
Variants
Standard omoplata — classic application from closed guard, swing leg over shoulder, sit up to finish
Rolling omoplata — entry via forward roll, often from turtle or top position
Mounted omoplata — applied from mount position
Tarikoplata — hybrid of kimura and omoplata developed by Tarik Hopstock (Frontline Academy, Oslo, ~2014), threads an arm inside along with the leg
Baratoplata — named after Rafael 'Barata' Freitas, uses a leg triangle and pushes the arm outward
Reverse omoplata (Huizinga Roll) — inverted application of the shoulder lock
Rubber guard omoplata — entry via Eddie Bravo's rubber guard system from chill dog position
Videos
The First 10 Bjj Submissions You Should Learn
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Standard Omoplata·Jedi Does Jiujitsu
In today’s video I’ll be giving you the 10 first bjj submissions that every white belt should learn. These are the submi…
BJJ Techniques | Omoplata Series Part 1 | CVBJJ Online
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Standard Omoplata·CVBJJ Online
3rd degree black belt Anthony Mantanona shows several entries into the shoulder lock, or omoplata. This is a favorite t…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard omoplata is a shoulder lock submission that isolates the opponent's arm using the legs, analogous to a Kimura grip but executed with leg pressure. According to fightTIPS, the fundamental mechanics require trapping the opponent's elbow away from their body—the position is easiest to establish from closed guard when the opponent postures up. The initial grip typically involves controlling the sleeve or tricep, with the practitioner pushing the opponent's hand down while bending their arm. CVBJJ Online emphasizes multiple entry points, including from open guard by shooting the knee past the shoulder, from butterfly guard as a follow-up to a failed sweep, from lasso guard, and from cross-sleeve positions. Both fightTIPS and CVBJJ Online stress keeping the elbow tightly trapped throughout execution. The finish involves positioning perpendicular to the opponent with heel-to-knee leg configuration, then extending the legs while maintaining arm compression and driving the hips diagonally to apply shoulder pressure. fightTIPS notes the arm should meet the back of the opponent's head, similar to Kimura mechanics. Common defenses include rolling through, which allows transition to top position. CVBJJ Online details multiple variations when the opponent resists, including transitions to lasso guard or shin-to-shin positioning. Jedi Does Jiujitsu does not specifically cover the omoplata in their beginner submission overview, focusing instead on foundational techniques. The three instructors collectively present the omoplata as a versatile technique suitable for multiple positions and capable of transitioning to other submissions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- fightTIPS — What is an Omoplata? BJJ How-to Tutorial: Detailed fundamental mechanics from closed guard: posture break, sleeve/tricep control, arm bending, perpendicular positioning, heel-to-knee lock, leg extension, elbow trapping, and finishing with diagonal hip drive and head placement over far shoulder. Emphasized the critical requirement of keeping elbow isolated from body and noted defensive roll-through response.
- CVBJJ Online — BJJ Techniques | Omoplata Series Part 1 | CVBJJ Online: Comprehensive entry variations including two-on-one tricep control with hip shrimp, open guard knee-past-shoulder entry, lasso guard transition with collar control, butterfly guard sweep failure conversion, breakdancer armdrags, and shin-to-shin entry when opponent blocks with knee. Detailed defensive adjustments and hand positioning in the pocket.
- Jedi Does Jiujitsu — The First 10 BJJ Submissions You Should Learn: Omoplata not covered in this beginner-focused overview, which prioritizes foundational submissions like armbar, triangle, and rear naked choke rather than shoulder locks.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Moderately dangerous — applies significant torque to the shoulder joint via forced internal rotation; can cause glenohumeral dislocation or rotator cuff tears, but has a relatively slow application curve giving opponents time to tap before catastrophic injury
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 is part of the famous 'three brothers' of BJJ guard attacks: the triangle choke, armbar, and omoplata. Every triangle setup is also an omoplata setup, and vice versa, making it an essential technique for guard players to master. Nino Schembri (Antonio Schembri) is widely credited as the person who revolutionized the omoplata in the mid-1990s, winning the 1996 Brazilian Nationals and back-to-back IBJJF World Championships in 1997 and 1998 using his omoplata system. Before Schembri, the technique was considered low-percentage and used only as a submission. He transformed it into an entire positional system including sweeps, back takes, and chains to other attacks. The key to finishing the omoplata is controlling the opponent's hip to prevent the forward roll escape. The attacker must sit up fully, lean forward, and control the far hip with the near-side hand. Without hip control, skilled opponents will roll through to escape. The omoplata is also one of the highest-percentage sweeps in BJJ — when the submission is defended, the attacker can use the leverage to sweep the opponent and come up on top. Ben Saunders recorded the first omoplata finish in UFC history against Chris Heatherly at UFC Fight Night 49 (August 23, 2014).
Common Mistakes
!Not controlling the opponent's hip — allows the forward roll escape, the most common defense
!Not sitting up enough — staying flat on the back reduces leverage and makes the finish impossible
!Not cutting the angle — the attacker must be perpendicular to the opponent, not parallel
!Allowing the forward roll escape — must grab the belt/hip or hook the far leg to prevent
!Not controlling the far arm — the opponent can posture up and stack if both arms are free
!Rushing the finish without establishing position — the sweep is available if the submission stalls
!Not breaking the opponent's posture first — attempting the omoplata against a postured opponent fails
Related Techniques
Triangle Choke — part of the 'three brothers' trio; every triangle setup is an omoplata setupArmbar — the third member of the trio; failed armbars transition directly to omoplataKimura — targets the same joint (shoulder) via internal rotation but uses a figure-four grip instead of legsTarikoplata — hybrid kimura-omoplata developed by Tarik HopstockBaratoplata — named variant using leg triangle configuration
Counter Techniques
Forward Roll Escape — roll forward over the trapped shoulder to relieve pressure (most common defense)Posture Up Early — stand up and stack before the omoplata is locked inLimp Arm / Hitchhiker Escape — rotate the trapped arm to reduce shoulder torqueGrab Belt or Pants — clasp hands or grab clothing to prevent arm isolationHop Over the Leg — prevent attacker's foot from crossing face, then hop over to pass guard
Setup Chain
1Isolate One Arm — control one wrist across the centerline from guard
2Swing Leg Over Shoulder — open guard and throw outside leg over opponent's trapped shoulder
3Sit Up Perpendicular — rotate hips 90 degrees to face the same direction as opponent
4Control the Hip — grab opponent's far hip or belt to prevent forward roll escape
5Apply Downward Pressure — lean forward and press opponent's hand toward their head to finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Vital Judo: Grappling Techniques (Okano, 1976) — Ashi-Sankaku-Garami
1BookVital Judo: Grappling Techniques (Okano, 1976)pp. 144 (Ribeiro 2008 — Omoplata Off Straight Armlock)
Historical origin — [1] Vital Judo: Grappling Techniques (Okano, 1976) — earliest known published depiction of ashi-sankaku-garami
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
BJJ development — [2] BJJ Heroes (bjjheroes.com) — Nino Schembri biography and omoplata history
3BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Danaher, 2001)
Technique instruction — Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008), p.144
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationVital Judo: Grappling Techniques (Okano, 1976)pp. 144 (Ribeiro 2008 — Omoplata Off Straight Armlock)
Historical origin — [1] Vital Judo: Grappling Techniques (Okano, 1976) — earliest known published depiction of ashi-sankaku-garami
7CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
BJJ development — [2] BJJ Heroes (bjjheroes.com) — Nino Schembri biography and omoplata history
8CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Danaher, 2001)
Technique instruction — Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008), p.144
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, ability to control with legs, core strength for sitting up
Favours
longer legs for easier figure-four lock around opponent's shoulder
Key muscles
hip adductors, hip flexors, hamstrings, obliques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I secure the omoplata position and prevent my opponent from escaping?
Keep your opponent's elbow trapped and maintain tight leg control—the leg over the arm should be locked down while the other leg stays bent. fightTIPS emphasizes keeping your legs tight and the elbow in close to prevent your opponent from creating space to escape.
What's the proper way to finish the omoplata submission?
Cut the elbow to keep it tight, then sit up and bring your head over your opponent's far shoulder so their arm meets the back of their head similar to a Kimura. Drive your hips diagonally while controlling the sleeve and keeping your heel to your knee for maximum pressure.
How can I set up an omoplata from the lasso guard?
Go to the collar to keep your opponent's body close, then quickly let go and catch their elbow and tricep. Pull with your hands to bring them into the omoplata position.
What should I do if my opponent tries to roll out of the omoplata?
If your opponent rolls through, it alleviates the submission pressure, but you can then transition to getting on top and exploring other finishing options from that position.
How does the Standard Omoplata work?
The omoplata is a shoulder lock applied from guard using the legs to isolate and torque the opponent's arm, forcing internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint beyond its normal range. The attacker swings a leg over the opponent's shoulder, sits up perpendicular, and leans forward to apply downward pressure on the trapped arm.
Where does the Standard Omoplata come from?
The omoplata originated in judo as ashi-sankaku-garami (leg triangle entanglement). It is depicted in Vital Judo: Grappling Techniques by Isao Okano (1976), confirming its judo lineage.
Is the Standard Omoplata 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 Omoplata?
Danger rating 6/10. Moderately dangerous — applies significant torque to the shoulder joint via forced internal rotation; can cause glenohumeral dislocation or rotator cuff tears, but has a relatively slow application curve giving opponents time to tap before catastrophic injury
How do I set up the Standard Omoplata?
The standard setup chain: Isolate One Arm → Swing Leg Over Shoulder → Sit Up Perpendicular → Control the Hip → Apply Downward Pressure.
How do I defend against the Standard Omoplata?
Standard counters include: Forward Roll Escape — roll forward over the trapped shoulder to relieve pressure (most common defense) / Posture Up Early — stand up and stack before the omoplata is locked in / Limp Arm / Hitchhiker Escape — rotate the trapped arm to reduce shoulder torque / Grab Belt or Pants — clasp hands or grab clothing to prevent arm isolation.
What are the variants of the Standard Omoplata?
Common variants: Standard omoplata (classic application from closed guard, swing leg over sho…); Rolling omoplata (entry via forward roll, often from turtle or top position); Mounted omoplata (applied from mount position); Tarikoplata (hybrid of kimura and omoplata developed by Tarik Hopstock…); Baratoplata (named after Rafael 'Barata' Freitas, uses a leg triangle …); Reverse omoplata (Huizinga Roll) (inverted application of the shoulder lock); Rubber guard omoplata (entry via Eddie Bravo's rubber guard system from chill do…).
How effective is the Standard Omoplata in competition?
First UFC omoplata finish: Ben Saunders vs. Chris Heatherly, UFC Fight Night 49, August 23, 2014, Round 1 (Performance of the Night).
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Omoplata?
Top errors to watch for: Not controlling the opponent's hip — allows the forward roll escape, the most common defense / Not sitting up enough — staying flat on the back reduces leverage and makes the finish impossible / Not cutting the angle — the attacker must be perpendicular to the opponent, not parallel / Allowing the forward roll escape — must grab the belt/hip or hook the far leg to prevent.
What are other names for the Standard Omoplata?
The Standard Omoplata is also known as Omoplata, Ashi-Sankaku-Garami, Coil Lock, Leg Shoulder Lock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop the forward roll escape from the omoplata?
The forward roll is the number one escape. Three ways to prevent it: (1) Grab their belt or far-side hip — this physically blocks the roll. (2) Hook their far leg with your arm as you sit up. (3) Lean your weight forward and drive your hip into their back — if they try to roll, follow them and come up on top. The key is controlling the hip before you start applying the shoulder lock.
Can the omoplata work as a sweep instead of a submission?
Yes — this is actually its most common use in high-level competition. When the opponent defends the submission by posturing up or grabbing their belt, you use the leverage to sweep them. Sit up, drive into them, and roll them over using the trapped arm as your lever. You come up on top in side control. Many world champions use the omoplata primarily as a sweep, with the submission as a bonus.
What is the connection between the triangle, armbar, and omoplata?
They are called the 'three brothers' because every setup for one is a setup for the others. All three require isolating one arm (one arm in, one arm out from guard). If you set up a triangle and they hide the arm, the omoplata is right there. If the omoplata is defended and they posture, the triangle or armbar opens up. At high levels, you chain between all three until one lands.