1. Objective and Purpose
The Omoplata is a shoulder lock submission used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA that involves trapping your opponent’s arm behind their back while using your legs to apply pressure to their shoulder joint. This submission primarily targets the shoulder and is often used when your opponent has exposed their arm, allowing you to create a tight lock. The Omoplata is effective from the bottom, typically when you are in a guard position or transitioning to a top position.
2. Steps for Execution of the Omoplata
- Establish the Guard Position:
- The Omoplata is typically initiated from the closed guard or open guard. You will need to have your opponent’s arm in a vulnerable position, often when they are leaning forward or extending their arm in an effort to strike, post, or balance themselves.
- Control Your Opponent’s Arm:
- Grab your opponent’s wrist or control their arm with one hand, pulling it across your body or forcing it towards their hip.
- Use your legs to position their arm into the right angle. You will use your legs and hips to control and manipulate the position of their arm for the setup.
- Position Your Legs and Rotate:
- With your opponent’s arm in control, use your leg on the same side as the arm you’re attacking (for example, your left leg if it’s the left arm) to move over their arm and place your foot near their upper back or neck.
- Rotate your body so that your chest faces away from your opponent, using your legs to maintain pressure on their shoulder while pulling their arm behind their back.
- Lock the Submission:
- Once your legs are in place, lock your opponent’s arm behind their back. Use your body to rotate and apply pressure on the shoulder joint.
- You should now have your opponent’s arm trapped in a bent position while your foot applies pressure across their shoulder. At this point, you want to pull on their arm while squeezing with your legs and rotating your body to increase the pressure.
- Finish the Submission:
- To finish the Omoplata, continue to rotate your body away from your opponent while keeping the pressure on their shoulder.
- The submission forces their shoulder into a compromised position, causing pain or leading them to tap out before the joint is damaged. Maintain your pressure and control until your opponent either submits or the referee intervenes.
3. Defensive Techniques Against the Omoplata
- Posture and Control the Legs:
- If your opponent begins to set up the Omoplata, posture up to prevent them from wrapping their leg over your shoulder. As you posture up, keep your arms close to your body and avoid overextending.
- Use your hands to control your opponent’s legs, particularly their foot that is placed across your back. If you manage to prevent them from securing the position, you can break their control and escape the submission.
- Roll and Escape:
- A common defense against the Omoplata is to roll forward in the direction of their leg to relieve pressure on your shoulder. By rolling forward, you can often break the lock and escape before they can finish the submission.
- Alternatively, you can try to roll toward your opponent’s head (into the submission) to escape the lock and potentially counter it with a reversal or transition to a dominant position.
- Use Your Free Arm to Defend:
- If you’re trapped in the Omoplata and you still have one free arm, use that arm to reach for your opponent’s foot that is pressing against your back. Push the foot away to create space and reduce the pressure being applied to your shoulder.
- Fight the Control of the Arm:
- A key component of the Omoplata is the control of your arm. If you feel the submission coming on, try to pull your arm free or fight the grip on your wrist. You can use your free hand to break their hold or to fight for space if you find yourself getting locked into the submission.
4. Counter-Defense for the Omoplata
- Reverse the Omoplata (Counter-Omoplata):
- A common counter-defense to the Omoplata is to reverse the position and apply the Omoplata to your opponent. If you’ve been caught in the submission but manage to rotate your body correctly, you can reverse the setup and lock your opponent’s arm behind their back in the same fashion. This is known as a counter-Omoplata.
- Stand Up and Stack:
- If you are caught in the Omoplata, one option is to stand up and begin to stack your opponent. By standing and putting pressure on their hips, you can force them to relieve the shoulder pressure, creating space to escape.
- Roll Toward the Shoulder:
- Another counter to the Omoplata is to roll in the direction of the shoulder being attacked. While this can be risky if not timed properly, it might help you escape the lock if you roll with enough speed and control.
- Maintain Balance and Posture:
- If you find yourself in a scramble where your opponent is attempting to set up an Omoplata, maintaining good posture and balance can prevent them from securing the position. Be wary of leaning forward too much, which gives them the angle they need to apply the submission.
5. Keys to Success
- Proper Leg Positioning: The success of the Omoplata depends largely on the placement of your legs. Make sure your foot is firmly pressed against your opponent’s upper back, with your hips and body aligned to create pressure on their shoulder.
- Control and Grip: Maintaining strong control over your opponent’s arm and wrist is crucial. You need to pull their arm across their body while ensuring that they can’t break your grip.
- Hip Rotation: When applying the submission, rotate your body away from your opponent. This motion creates the necessary torque on their shoulder to force the submission.
6. Common Mistakes
- Not Securing the Leg Tight Enough: If your opponent can pull their arm back or escape the leg positioning, it will be difficult to finish the submission. Make sure your leg is tightly pressed against their back and keep control.
- Not Rotating Enough: Omoplata requires a good rotation of your body away from your opponent. Failing to rotate will not apply sufficient pressure to your opponent’s shoulder.
- Overcommitting to the Position: While trying to finish the Omoplata, it’s easy to overcommit. If your opponent defends well or escapes, you might end up in a worse position, so make sure you don’t sacrifice control.
Conclusion
The Omoplata is a versatile and effective submission that can be applied from various positions, especially when your opponent exposes their arm during a guard exchange or while trying to pass. It involves using your legs to control their arm and shoulder while applying pressure to force a tap-out. Understanding the proper mechanics of the Omoplata, as well as knowing how to defend and counter it, is crucial to succeeding with this submission. When executed correctly, the Omoplata is a powerful tool in your submission game, whether in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or MMA.