Omoplata

Also known as: Ashi Sankaku Garami · Shoulder Lock (leg) · Omaplata

A kimura performed with your legs: swing a leg over their shoulder, triangle the arm, and sit up to rotate the shoulder. When the tap doesn’t come, it converts into a sweep — a two-for-one attack.

Submission · Shoulder Lock · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Closed Guard as the guard player → ends the match (submission).

The details that make it work

  1. Enter when their hand posts on the mat or hip; your leg swings over the shoulder as your body turns 180°.
  2. Control their hips (hug the waist or grip the belt) BEFORE sitting up, or they simply roll forward out.
  3. Sit up and lean forward to finish; if they roll, follow and come up on top — take the sweep.

Where it goes wrong

How opponents counter it

Is the Omoplata legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Same family: Shoulder Locks

Related techniques

All moves from Closed Guard · Back to Grapplepedia