The Omoplata: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Shoulder Lock in Jiu Jitsu

The omoplata is a powerful submission technique that targets your opponent’s shoulder joint. It involves trapping your opponent’s arm between your legs and applying pressure to their shoulder to force them to submit. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the omoplata and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to master this effective submission technique.

Understanding the Omoplata

The omoplata is a submission technique that involves trapping your opponent’s arm between your legs and using your body weight to apply pressure to their shoulder joint. It can be executed from various positions, including guard, mount, and side control. The omoplata is a versatile and effective technique that can be used to transition to other submissions or to sweep your opponent.

Setting up the Omoplata

To set up the omoplata, you need to isolate your opponent’s arm and trap it between your legs. You can do this by using your legs to control your opponent’s posture and prevent them from pulling their arm free. Once you have control of their arm, you can work to position your body and apply pressure to their shoulder joint.

Applying Pressure

To apply pressure to the omoplata, you need to use your body weight to drive your opponent’s arm into their shoulder joint. You can also use your legs to apply pressure and control your opponent’s movements. You should be aware of your opponent’s pain tolerance and tap out when they submit.

Breaking Your Opponent’s Defense

Your opponent will likely try to defend against the omoplata by posturing up or rolling out of the submission. You can use various techniques to break their defense, such as adjusting your position, transitioning to other submissions, or using your legs to control their movements. By staying one step ahead of your opponent and anticipating their movements, you can increase your chances of finishing the omoplata.

Finishing the Omoplata

To finish the omoplata, you should use your legs to apply pressure to your opponent’s shoulder joint while controlling their arm. You can also use your body weight to drive their arm into their shoulder joint and increase the pressure. You should be aware of your opponent’s body language and tap out when they submit.

Drilling the Omoplata

Practicing the omoplata is essential to mastering the technique and improving your timing and execution. You can drill the omoplata from various positions and transitions, and incorporate it into your sparring sessions. By practicing the omoplata regularly, you will develop muscle memory and be able to execute the technique more effectively in live situations.