Jiu-Jitsu: Omoplata

The Omoplata is a submission hold used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and other grappling arts. It involves using your legs to scissor and lock your opponent’s arm against your hip, while applying pressure to their shoulder joint. This can cause your opponent to tap out, signaling the end of the match.

The Omoplata can be applied from a variety of positions, including guard, half-guard, and standing. It can also be used to set up other submissions or to transition into other positions, making it a versatile technique to have in your arsenal.

Learning the Omoplata requires a certain level of technical proficiency, including proper grips, body positioning, and timing. It’s important to practice the technique with a partner and under the guidance of a qualified instructor to ensure proper technique and safety.

Overall, the Omoplata is a highly effective and versatile submission hold that can be a valuable addition to any BJJ practitioner’s game.

What is an Omoplata?

An Omoplata is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) technique that involves using your legs to attack your opponent’s shoulder joint. It is a submission hold that can be used to force your opponent to tap out, or to transition into other positions or submissions.

To perform an Omoplata, you start by controlling your opponent’s arm and bringing your legs up to create a figure-four grip around their shoulder joint. You then use your hips to apply pressure to the shoulder while pulling the arm across the body. This can cause a lot of discomfort and pain, making it difficult for your opponent to escape.

The Omoplata is considered to be a highly effective submission hold because it can be applied from a variety of positions, including guard, half-guard, and even from standing. It is also a versatile technique that can be used to set up other submissions or to sweep your opponent and gain a dominant position.

Brief History of the Omoplata

The Omoplata is a submission hold that originated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). While the exact history of the technique is unclear, it is believed to have been developed in the 1990s by BJJ practitioners experimenting with various arm and shoulder locks.

The term “Omoplata” comes from the Greek words “omos” (shoulder) and “platus” (flat), which accurately describes the position of the shoulder joint when the submission hold is applied.

The Omoplata quickly gained popularity in the BJJ community due to its effectiveness and versatility. It can be applied from a variety of positions, including guard, half-guard, and standing, and can be used to set up other submissions or transitions.

Over time, the Omoplata has evolved to include various setups and variations, including the reverse Omoplata and the rolling Omoplata. It has also been adapted for use in other grappling arts, including submission grappling and mixed martial arts.

Today, the Omoplata remains a popular and effective submission hold in the world of BJJ, and is often taught as a fundamental technique in many BJJ schools and academies.

How do you do an Omoplata?

The Omoplata is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) technique that can be quite technical to execute properly, but the following steps provide a general overview of how to perform it:

1. Start by establishing a guard position with your opponent in front of you. You can use an open guard or closed guard, depending on your preference.
2. Reach across your opponent’s body with one arm to grab their wrist or hand on the opposite side. This will help to control their arm and prevent them from defending the Omoplata.
3. Use your other hand to grip your opponent’s collar or shoulder, and then bring your leg over their back to create a figure-four grip around their shoulder joint. Your foot should be placed under your opponent’s armpit, with your knee resting on their upper back.
4. With your legs, pull your opponent’s arm across their body while keeping their shoulder joint trapped in the figure-four grip. This will create a lot of pressure on their shoulder and can cause them to submit.
5. If your opponent resists or tries to escape, you can use your legs to sweep them over onto their back, which will put you in a dominant position.

It’s important to note that the Omoplata is a complex submission that requires good technique and timing to execute effectively. To learn it properly, it’s recommended to train with a qualified BJJ instructor who can provide feedback and help you refine your techniques.

How do you Defend an Omoplata?

Defending against an Omoplata requires quick reactions and proper technique. Here are some general strategies for defending against an Omoplata:

1. Posture up: If your opponent starts to set up an Omoplata, try to posture up and avoid being pulled down to the ground. This can prevent your opponent from getting the proper angle to apply the submission.
2. Prevent the grip: If your opponent has already secured a grip on your arm or collar, try to break the grip before they can fully lock in the submission. You can use techniques like the grip break or the two-on-one grip to break their grip.
3. Roll out: If your opponent has already locked in the Omoplata and you’re unable to posture up or break the grip, try to roll out of the submission. You can do this by tucking your head and rolling over your shoulder, which can release the pressure on your shoulder joint.
4. Counterattack: If your opponent is close to locking in the Omoplata, you can try to counterattack by sweeping them or transitioning to another position. This can catch them off guard and prevent them from finishing the submission.

It’s important to note that defending against the Omoplata requires quick reactions and proper technique. It’s also important to practice the defense with a partner and under the guidance of a qualified instructor to ensure proper technique and safety.

Who are the best grapplers at Omoplatas?

There have been many great grapplers throughout the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) who have used the Omoplata effectively in competition. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Roger Gracie – Roger Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former multiple-time world champion. He is known for his exceptional technique and has used the Omoplata to great effect in competition.
2. Rafael Mendes – Rafael Mendes is a BJJ black belt and multiple-time world champion who is widely considered to be one of the best featherweight grapplers of all time. He is known for his dynamic style and has used the Omoplata to set up a variety of submissions.
3. Michelle Nicolini – Michelle Nicolini is a BJJ black belt and multiple-time world champion who is known for her technical wizardry and creative use of submissions. She has a particularly effective Omoplata game and has used it to submit many high-level opponents.
4. Shinya Aoki – Shinya Aoki is a Japanese mixed martial artist and BJJ black belt who is known for his submission skills. He has a particularly effective Omoplata game and has used it to submit several high-level opponents in both BJJ and MMA competition.
5. Braulio Estima – Braulio Estima is a BJJ black belt and multiple-time world champion who is known for his exceptional grappling skills. He has a particularly effective Omoplata game and has used it to submit many high-level opponents throughout his career.

These are just a few examples of grapplers who have had success with the Omoplata in competition. There are many others who have used this technique to great effect and continue to develop new variations and setups for it.

Why you Should Learn the Omoplata

There are several reasons why learning the Omoplata can be beneficial for your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) game:

1. Effective submission: The Omoplata is a highly effective submission hold that can force your opponent to tap out. It can be applied from a variety of positions, including guard, half-guard, and standing, making it a versatile technique to have in your arsenal.
2. Versatile setup: The Omoplata can be used to set up other submissions or to transition into other positions. For example, if your opponent attempts to defend the Omoplata, you can use the momentum to sweep them and take a dominant position.
3. Control and pressure: The Omoplata is not just a submission hold, but also a powerful control position. It allows you to apply a significant amount of pressure on your opponent’s shoulder joint, making it difficult for them to escape or counterattack.
4. Technical development: Learning the Omoplata requires a certain level of technical proficiency, which can help to develop your overall BJJ skills. It involves a combination of grips, body positioning, and timing, all of which are important components of effective grappling.
5. Counter to common defenses: Many BJJ practitioners are familiar with defending against common submissions like the armbar and triangle choke. The Omoplata can catch your opponent off guard and provide an effective counter to these common defenses.

Overall, the Omoplata is a versatile and effective technique that can be a valuable addition to any BJJ practitioner’s game. It’s important to train it regularly and refine your technique to maximize its effectiveness.