Gogoplata Control

Position

Gogoplata Control is a guard position where the bottom player has one shin placed across the opponent's throat or neck while using the hands to control the opponent's head, creating a dominant configuration from which multiple submissions branch. It serves as a transitional control hub that threatens the gogoplata choke while keeping options open for triangles, omoplatas, and armbars.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The shin must be firmly placed across the front of the opponent's throat with the foot hooking past the far side of the neck.
  • · Head control via pulling the opponent's head down onto the shin is essential to maintain pressure and prevent posturing.
  • · The hips must stay elevated and angled to keep the shin locked in place and generate choking pressure.
  • · Anticipate the opponent attempting to stack or posture up by maintaining a strong grip on the head and being ready to transition to stack defense or omoplata.
  • · The non-attacking leg should be active, either controlling the opponent's back or shoulder to prevent escape angles.

Execution

  1. 1 From rubber guard or high guard, free one leg and thread the shin across the opponent's throat, hooking the foot past the far side of the neck.
  2. 2 Immediately grip the opponent's head with both hands (crown or back of head) and pull it firmly down onto your shin to lock the position.
  3. 3 Elevate your hips and angle slightly toward the attacking leg side to tighten the shin contact against the throat.
  4. 4 Use your opposite leg to hook the opponent's back, shoulder, or arm to limit their movement and prevent posturing.
  5. 5 Maintain constant downward head pressure while reading the opponent's reactions to choose your next submission or transition.

Common mistakes

  • × Failing to control the head aggressively, allowing the opponent to posture up and completely nullify the shin pressure.
  • × Placing the shin too low on the chest instead of directly across the throat, which removes choking threat and makes the position easy to pass.
  • × Keeping hips flat on the mat instead of elevated and angled, resulting in insufficient pressure and making it easy for the opponent to create space and escape.

Attacks & transitions

Offense available from Gogoplata Control.

Armbar From Guard submission Gogoplata submission Transition To Omoplata transition Triangle Choke submission

Escapes & defense

Getting out of Gogoplata Control, or shutting it down.

Stack Defense counter