Monoplata

Submission

The monoplata is a shoulder lock submission that uses one leg draped across the opponent's back to isolate and hyperrotate their shoulder, similar to an omoplata but controlled with a single leg configuration. It is available from triangle control, overhook guard, and side control top, often emerging when a full omoplata or triangle cannot be completed.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The leg must cross over the opponent's back and hook their trapped arm at or above the elbow to create the shoulder isolation.
  • · Hip pressure driving forward and downward into the opponent's shoulder generates the rotational force needed to finish.
  • · Controlling the opponent's posture by pinching your knees or gripping their far side prevents them from rolling to escape.
  • · The trapped arm must be kept tight to your body so the opponent cannot retract it or straighten it to relieve pressure.
  • · If the opponent tries to stack or roll, follow the roll while maintaining leg position to re-establish the lock from the new angle.

Execution

  1. 1 From your controlling position, isolate one of the opponent's arms by threading your leg over their back so your calf or hamstring pins across their shoulder line with their arm trapped underneath.
  2. 2 Secure their posture by gripping their far hip, belt, or lat, preventing them from posturing up or rolling away.
  3. 3 Angle your hips perpendicular to their trapped arm, ensuring your leg wedges tightly against their elbow to maintain the shoulder isolation.
  4. 4 Drive your hips forward and apply downward pressure with your leg while pulling their wrist toward your body to hyperrotate the shoulder joint for the tap.

Common mistakes

  • × Placing the leg too low on the opponent's back near the hips instead of across the shoulder line, which fails to isolate the shoulder and allows easy escape.
  • × Neglecting posture control so the opponent stacks forward and relieves all rotational pressure on the shoulder.
  • × Rushing the finish without first securing the arm tight to the body, letting the opponent pull their elbow free and nullifying the submission.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Monoplata shows up.

Show 3
Overhook Guard Side Control Top Triangle Control

In the family

Named branches of Monoplata in the graph.

Monoplata From Guard submission