The Omoplata is a powerful shoulder lock submission, one that is available from all sorts of positions. This is even more true when you take into account the things you can do with it from the Closed Guard; basically, when your opponent defends a Triangle Choke or an Armbar, often times you’ll have an opportunity to catch them with an Omoplata!
However, it can be quite difficult to tap someone out with it. That’s why Firas Zahabi brought in professor Karel Pravec – the Silver Fox – who points out great details that will make this technique work for you.

CAN’T SET UP THE OMOPLATA AT ALL? THIS IS WHY.

Just a reminder before anything else, though. If you’re having trouble setting up the technique in the first place, it’s a good idea to pay attention to where your opponent’s hands are. Professor Pravec explains that if they’re posted on top of your torso and if the elbows are locked, it’ll be nearly impossible to set up the Omoplata. So, if you want to put them in danger, swim underneath their hands and separate them off of your body.
What you want to do is make them post their hands onto the mat. Once you do this, you have a spectacular chance for an Omoplata transition!

MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR OPPONENTS TO POSTURE UP

With that taken care of, let’s see the improvements you can apply when you want to finish the Omoplata in a „regular“ way; you’ll see what the „upgraded“ way is in a bit.

Think back to the last couple of times you went for an Omoplata. When you cross your leg over the opponent’s shoulder and lock it, what’s their second most common reaction – other than rolling over? Especially if they’re really strong?
That’s right, they start posturing up in order to minimize the pressure they feel on their shoulder. And what you do in response to this, more often than not, is that you try to bring them back down to the mat by swinging your leg over their arm in sort of a chopping motion.

Does this work? Yes, sometimes. But here’s what professor Pravec advises: instead of „chopping“ with your leg, change your angle. That is, instead of staying lined up with the opponent, shift yourself to the side, so that you’re perpendicular to them – and jam your calf muscle into their elbow.
This will put tremendous pressure onto their shoulder and make it difficult for them to posture up; from there, go back to the lined up position and finish the Omoplata.

DO THIS – AND THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO FORWARD ROLL

Now, the most common Omoplata escape is the one doing a forward roll. And it just stings when you’ve done all that hard work just to have your opponent roll over and get away, doesn’t it? Well, professor Pravec has a simple, „upgraded“ solution to this.
To negate your opponent’s opportunity to roll, you simply have to control their second arm by grabbing their wrist. And that’s it! Even if they try to roll out from this spot, they’ll be risking some very, very serious injury to their shoulder… So be very careful when applying this on your training partners.

Also, to further reinforce the position, professor Pravec shows that you should extend your „bottom“ leg – or even your “upper” leg too, something you can do by crossing it over the opponent’s head as well – either underneath their second arm; or, if they prop up, underneath their posted leg.

Watch professor Pravec demonstrate these details much more in-depth on the video below:

So there you have it, the omoplata is the submission that you have been missing in your arsenal of attacks. It is one of those secret weapons that are worth working on. Since many people don’t do them a lot of people are not familiar with the mechanics of the position and you can take advantage of this.

Master the OMOPLATA–the submission that can be your new favorite position.

• You might not look like Clark Gracie, but your omoplatas will be the best-looking part of your game.
• SWEEP them when they’re defending the SUBMISSION and SUBMIT them when they’re defending the SWEEP.

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