Omoplata – BJJ Submission Explained

To have a top notch guard game in Jiu Jitsu one of the must know submissions is the Omoplata. It is one of the core basic submissions you must know, but it’s more than just a submission. The Omoplata is also a great technique to sweep opponents with, as well.

But the Omoplata wasn’t always given its proper respect for its effectiveness. This technique wasn’t universally taught in every academy until a little over 25 years ago.

It took time for the Omoplata to get its respect, but the technique continues to be revolutionized in modern BJJ. Below we detail everything you need to know, from when it was created, how it works, and details a few of the many related techniques.

When was the Omoplata created?

Before Jiu Jitsu started practicing the Omoplata it was practiced within Judo and Submission wrestling. In Judo, the technique is called the ashi-sankaku-garami and the coil lock in submission wrestling.

In the Portuguese, the word Omoplata is scapula and they used this word because the submission attacks your scapula.

Though the submission has been around a long time it wasn’t universally taught in Jiu Jitsu schools. For many years, the Omoplata was considered a low percentage submission. 

For almost 70 years, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation of Brazil (CBJJ) only recognized the Omoplata as a submission. It wasn’t until 1994 did they start awarding sweeps from the Omoplata position.

Since then and thanks to innovators of the position like Nino Schembri, grapplers saw the Omoplatas’s potential. The submission is now taught in all Jiu Jitsu academies and considered a must know technique.

How does the Omoplata work?

How the mechanics of the Omoplata works are very simple and straightforward. The key is weight placement and control.

Once you isolate an opponent’s arm and establish control over them is when you start distributing your weight on them. As you lean in to the opponent, you’re putting downward pressure onto their shoulder forcing them to defend or submit.

Basic No-Gi Omoplata

A No-Gi is pretty simple to do with only a few steps to complete. You start this technique from closed guard.

Take wrist control on one of the opponent’s arms and push it against your hip. Your other hand reaches over and grabs hold of their shoulder. 

After you have control of their arm with both hands, pull them down as you kick your leg through. Then rotate your hips 180 degrees to where you are parallel with your opponent facing the same way. 

Next drop your leg down on the opponent’s arm with force in order to establish control. This keeps them in place along with hugging their hips to prevent them from rolling out of the position.

Now that you have the opponent in position and established control, you can lock in the pressure. With one leg around their arm and with their hips controlled, lean into them slowly to get the tap.

Basic Gi Omoplata

A basic Gi setup is similar to the No-Gi setup, but it involves using the opponent’s gi for control. On the same side of your opponent take sleeve grip with one hand and a collar grip with the other.

Use that sleeve grip to pull them down, hooking their arm around your hip. At the same time you kick your leg through just like in the basic No-Gi technique.

Turn your hips 180 degrees facing the same way as your opponent and control their hips. In Gi, you can use their pants and to belt to hold them in place or just hug their hips. 

The finishing steps are also about the same as with a No-Gi Omoplata. Lean in to them for the finish and if you want to keep your sleeve grip for control you can.

Lasso guard Omoplata

Doing an Omoplata from lasso guard is a really easy and fluid technique to do. To get your lasso guard have one grip on their collar and a sleeve grip on the arm you’re attacking. Loop your leg in and connect your leg to the opponent’s armpit.

From there, let go of the sleeve grip and begin turning on your shoulders inward towards your opponent. You naturally roll right into position for the Omoplata.

For the finish hug your opponent’s hips and submit them.

Rubber Guard Omoplata

If you’re flexible and like to play rubber guard, there are numerous options available. One of the most easy is this one.

Get to New York position, where you’re holding your leg behind the opponent’s head. Their arm is already on the mat in this position, so it makes going to an Omoplata really easy.

Just push their head and pull your leg over to get right into position for the Omo.

Omoplata from side control

You can even hit an Omoplata from side control. A really cool way to do it is from reverse kesa gatame. This type of side control  is where you turn on your side and are facing the opponent’s feet.

You step your top leg over the opponent’s arm that is behind you and grab a sleeve grip. With your other arm, you’re reaching over and controlling the opponent’s hips keeping them in place.

To get in position for the Omo, move your hand to the other side of their hip for a base. Now hook under their arm with your near leg and grab their elbow to begin turning over your opponent. 

To turn them over do a back step over there to start the movement as you go over their body. They end up right on their stomach for you to finish your Omo.

Omoplata from mount

When you have an opponent in mount they try a bridge and roll escape, you can catch them with an Omo. As they turn on their side take an overhook and bring your foot up next to their shoulder.

If they turn, they’ll naturally go to the position, but if not grab their arm and pull them into the Omo.

Omoplata Sweep

When you get to the Omoplata position, a common defense is for the opponent to posture up. Usually when you try to kick your leg down, they’ll react by posturing up.

If they do this it opens them up for an easy sweep. So let’s say you already got to the Omo position and they’re defending.

Fake like you want the Omoplata and kick your legs down to knock their base forward. Naturally, they will react by sitting up and as they do this is when you sweep them.

As they posture up, immediately do a back roll to sweep them over using their own energy against them.

Important Tips

For as diverse of a technique as the Omoplata is the submission has details that you cannot forget. Remember these tips below.

• Control The Arm: Before you can go for the Omoplata, you must establish control of the arm you want to attack. Without proper arm control, there is no Omoplata.
• Turn Your Hips: To get into position for the Omoplata, you have to turn your hips as you control the arm. Turn 180 degrees to get into position for your submission.
• Hips Parallel: After you turn your hips, they must be parallel with your opponents facing the same way. 
• Control The Opponent’s Hips: Controlling the opponent’s hips keeps them in place and defending your Omoplata attempt. Either hug around their hips with your arm or grab their belt/pants if you’re in a Gi.
• Heavy Leg: For the Omoplata to work, you have to drop your leg down on their arm with force. This keeps them in place and helps stop them from posturing up.
• Control Their Arm Above The Elbow: For the Omoplata to work, you have to be controlling the opponent above their elbow and right below the shoulder. When you control below the elbow, the opponent can just push your leg down and escape.
• Hook With One Leg: Some teach triangling your legs when doing the Omoplata, but you really only need one leg hooking the arm. You’ll be able to put down even more pressure and not limit your movement.
• Flatten Them Out: To ensure you get the submission make sure to flatten out your opponent. This gives you optimal control and enables you lock in your submission.
• Lean In: Once you establish control lean in to put downward pressure on their shoulder forcing them to submit.
• Watch Your Base: Be sure to keep your weight centered when doing the Omoplata.  If you lean your head too far over, your opponent will easily sweep you.