Spider Guard Omoplata

Submission Gi only

The spider guard omoplata is a shoulder lock initiated from spider guard bottom by threading your leg over the opponent's arm and across their shoulder line. It capitalizes on the sleeve control inherent to spider guard to isolate an arm and rotate into the omoplata position.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Maintaining a strong lasso or bicep-controlling grip on the target arm's sleeve prevents the opponent from posturing or retracting the arm.
  • · The hip escape and angle creation toward the trapped arm side are essential to swing the leg over the opponent's shoulder and break their posture.
  • · Releasing the opposite foot from the bicep at the right moment allows you to generate the hip rotation needed to come perpendicular to the opponent.
  • · Controlling the opponent's far hip or belt once in omoplata position prevents the forward roll escape.
  • · The finish relies on sitting up tall, hugging the opponent's waist, and lifting your hips to apply downward pressure on the isolated shoulder.

Execution

  1. 1 From spider guard with both sleeve grips and feet on the biceps, choose a target arm and deepen that foot's hook by transitioning to a lasso wrap or high bicep control.
  2. 2 Hip escape toward the lasso side while pulling the trapped sleeve across your centerline, then swing your lasso leg over the opponent's shoulder so your hamstring sits across the back of their neck and shoulder.
  3. 3 Release the opposite foot from the bicep and use it to push off their hip, pivoting your body perpendicular to the opponent while keeping the trapped arm pinched between your thighs.
  4. 4 Sit up immediately, hug their waist or grab their far-side belt/pants to prevent the forward roll escape.
  5. 5 Lean forward over their back, squeeze your knees together, and elevate your hips to apply the shoulder lock for the finish.

Common mistakes

  • × Failing to angle the hips sufficiently before swinging the leg over, resulting in a shallow position where the opponent easily pulls their arm free.
  • × Not sitting up quickly after securing the leg position, allowing the opponent to forward roll and escape or reverse the position.
  • × Keeping the non-lasso foot on the bicep too long, which stalls hip rotation and telegraphs the attack, giving the opponent time to posture and defend.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Spider Guard Omoplata shows up.

Spider Guard Bottom