One of the most beautiful things about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the fact that it is almost like a game of cat-and-mouse. One person initiates an attack, only to have it countered, which leads to a whole new playing field because you may have transitioned your position. That is one of the reasons so many people liken Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to a game of chess as much as it is about the physical aspect. As always, these instructions should be considered positional, if you see an opening on the other arm or side, you simply reverse the instructions as you see them here to make them applicable.
In this particular technique, you are in the guard, and you have just gone for an arm-bar directly from the guard. However, as you are about to close down on the arm-bar, your opponent manages to get his arm free. However, rather than simply giving up on the submission you now transition the failed arm-bar into an Omoplata, now the failed attempt may have lured the opponent into a false sense of security and this is when you strike with one of the most devastating submission holds the art has to offer.
Portland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques: Omoplata – The Breakdown
Step 1
To apply an Omoplata after a failed arm-bar you want the left arm of your opponent to be close to your right hip, now you are going to twist counter-clockwise while remaining on your back and you put your left foot on the ground. It is important that you have solid footing.
Step 2
You are going to twist onto your back and try to position your right foot and place it directly over the left shoulder of your opponent. Position your leading left leg and position it towards the left, if you are training in the Gi now you grab a firm hold of the belt opponent with your right hand, otherwise you simply push hard onto their back where their belt would have been.
Step 3
To complete this Brazilian Jiu Jitsu technique, you rise upwards, and with your right foot you are going to move your hips forward, towards your opponents head. Because you are either holding onto your opponents belt, or have your hand behind their back to restrain them from rolling forward, they are going to be trapped in your Omoplata.