# Omoplata

> A shoulder lock and sweeping position that wraps the legs around an isolated arm while the attacker rotates beside the opponent.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/omoplata
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/omoplata.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/omoplata
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** intermediate
- **Aliases:** shoulder-leg lock, ashi sankaku garami
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.


## Productive 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.

## Rules and safety

The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Closed Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/closed-guard)
- [Triangle Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/triangle-choke)
- [Spider Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/spider-guard)
- [Lasso Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/lasso-guard)

## Associated athletes

- [Royce Gracie](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/royce-gracie): The original Ultimate Fighter — UFC 1, 2, and 4 tournament champion whose Gracie jiu-jitsu rewrote combat sports forever.
- [Mikey Musumeci](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/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](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/romulo-barral): Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, 2013 ADCC -88 kg champion, Gracie Barra Northridge founder, and spider guard specialist.
- [Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/xande-ribeiro): Seven-time IBJJF gi world champion, two-time ADCC champion, ADCC Hall of Famer, and Six Blades founder.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules
- [International Judo Federation technique catalogue](https://judo.ijf.org/) — reference

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/omoplata and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*