Omoplata
Also known as shoulder-leg lock, ashi sankaku garami
A shoulder lock and sweeping position that wraps the legs around an isolated arm while the attacker rotates beside the opponent.
At a glance
- Family
- Submission
- Format
- Gi & no-gi
- Level
- Intermediate
- Connections
- 4 techniques
Concept
What it is
The omoplata uses the legs to control an opponent's shoulder in a figure-four-style relationship. It commonly appears from closed guard, spider guard, lasso guard, and triangle transitions.
Competition omoplatas are often as valuable for sweeping as for submitting. The attacker can sit up, control the far hip, and bring the opponent to the mat; the defender's roll or posture change then opens top position, back exposure, or another submission.
Core mechanics
Key principles
- Keep the opponent's elbow bent and shoulder trapped between the legs.
- Move your hips beside the opponent rather than staying underneath them.
- Control the far waist or leg to prevent an easy forward roll.
- Use gradual hip rotation and respect the shoulder's range.
System map
How it connects
Jiu-jitsu techniques work in sequences. These are common conceptual routes in, productive next steps, and the defensive priorities that shape the exchange.
Common entries
Closed guard
Push an arm past the leg and rotate around the shoulder.
Spider guard
Extend the controlled arm and swing the leg over the shoulder.
Triangle
Turn around the trapped arm when the opponent postures or drives forward.
Next actions
Sweep
Sit up, control the far side, and flatten the opponent without releasing the shoulder.
Back control
Follow a rolling or turning defense toward the exposed hips.
Triangle
Re-thread the legs if the opponent turns back into the guard.
Defensive priorities
Posture early
Recover the elbow and shoulder line before the attacker sits beside you.
Forward roll
Roll with the shoulder pressure when the path is clear and controlled.
Hip control
Prevent the attacker from sitting up and controlling the far waist.
Competition connections
Athletes associated with Omoplata
Royce Gracie
Gracie Humaitá / Team Royce Gracie / Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network
Mikey Musumeci
Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling champion, and technical guard specialist known for the Mikey Lock.
Rômulo Barral
Gracie Barra Northridge / Gracie Barra
Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro
Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu
Keep exploring
Related techniques
Guard
Closed Guard
A foundational guard in which the bottom player closes their legs around the opponent to control posture and build sweeps or submissions.
Submission
Triangle Choke
A leg strangle that traps the neck and one arm inside a triangular leg configuration.
Guard
Spider Guard
A sleeve-control guard that places one or both feet on the opponent's arms to manage distance, break posture, and create sweeping angles.
Guard
Lasso Guard
A sleeve guard that threads a leg around the opponent's arm to create a durable upper-body tie for retention, sweeps, and attacks.
Rules and reference sources
Rules evolve. The official organizer documents below are the source of truth for competition legality; the guide above explains the technique conceptually.