Omoplata System: Complete BJJ Attack Guide

Intermediate · Gi & No-Gi · Submission & Sweep System

The omoplata is a shoulder lock applied from guard that creates a dilemma: they must tap or roll, and when they roll, you get a sweep. This dual threat makes the omoplata one of the most versatile attacks in closed and open guard.

Contents

Omoplata Mechanics

The omoplata traps their arm between your hips and leg while you sit perpendicular to their body. Your leg across their back and your hip pressure on their elbow creates the shoulder lock.

Shoot your leg over their arm from guard
Hip out perpendicular to their body
Grip their belt or shorts for control
Apply hip pressure down and forward

Entry from Closed Guard

Control one of their arms, break their posture, and swing your leg over the trapped arm to establish the omoplata position. Sit up and hip out to finish.

Break their posture with a pull or bump
Control their wrist with both hands
Swing your leg over their arm
Sit up and hip out perpendicular
Grip their belt to prevent rolling

💡 Pro Tip: The omoplata sweep is often more valuable than the submission. Use the threat of the finish to force their reaction, then flow to the sweep.

Entry from Spider Guard

From spider guard lasso, swing your leg over the lassoed arm. This creates the omoplata without breaking guard first.

Finishing the Omoplata

Drive your hips forward and down while gripping their belt. Prevent them from rolling by holding their belt and pressing your free hand on their back.

Omoplata Sweep

When they roll forward to escape, follow them and end in a top position. Control their arm throughout the roll to prevent guard recovery.

Omoplata to Triangle

If they posture up while you're setting up the omoplata, transition directly to a triangle choke. The hip-out position creates a natural triangle entry angle.

Omoplata Defense

Roll forward (surrender the position for posture), or reach with your free hand to block their hip movement before they complete the sit-up.

⚠️ Note: The omoplata is a legal technique at all levels. However, apply pressure gradually — the shoulder lock can be strong when fully extended.