Tarikoplata: Modern Shoulder Lock Explained

Tarikoplata is a modern shoulder lock variation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that works like a hybrid between a Kimura and an omoplata, using your legs and hips to isolate and rotate the opponent’s shoulder joint. It is named after Norwegian black belt Tarik Hopstock, who developed and popularized the position in high-level competition, especially from the closed guard and half guard.

What Is the Tarikoplata?

The Tarikoplata is a joint-lock submission targeting the shoulder, similar in mechanics to the Kimura lock (double wristlock / gyaku ude-garami) but applied with a different structure. Instead of using both arms to control the opponent’s arm like a standard Kimura, you trap their arm with your legs and a deep overhook, then rotate your hips to apply pressure to the shoulder.

Where a traditional omoplata uses your leg threaded over their trapped arm and your body rotated to the side, the Tarikoplata keeps you more square and closer to your opponent. This makes it a tighter, more compact grappling technique that fits well into modern, dynamic guard games.

According to BJJ Heroes’ detailed breakdown of the Tarikoplata, the position first appeared in jiu-jitsu competition during the mid-2010s and has since become a legitimate high-percentage submission at the highest levels.

How the Tarikoplata Relates to Other Shoulder Locks

Tarikoplata vs Kimura (Double Wristlock / Gyaku Ude-Garami)

The Kimura lock (also known as double wristlock in catch wrestling and gyaku ude-garami in Judo) uses a figure-four grip with both arms controlling your opponent’s arm. The goal is to bend their arm behind their back, forcing the shoulder to rotate.

The Tarikoplata keeps the same basic shoulder rotation idea but changes the “frame” around the arm. Instead of a figure-four grip, you build a structure with:

A strong overhook
Your leg threaded over or around their trapped arm
Hip rotation instead of arm strength to finish the shoulder lock

This means even smaller grapplers can generate big torque because their hips and legs, not just their arms, drive the submission.

Tarikoplata vs Omoplata and Baratoplata

The omoplata is a classic shoulder lock where you step your leg over the opponent’s arm, sit to the side, and rotate your hips to crank the shoulder. The Tarikoplata plays in the same “family” but uses more compact angles, which can make it harder for opponents to roll or spin out if applied correctly.

Grapplearts’ omoplata quickstart guide explains that the omoplata fundamentally uses your legs to force your opponent’s arm behind their back into a Kimura-style shoulder lock, making it mechanically similar to Tarikoplata but with different entry and finishing mechanics.

The Baratoplata is another modern shoulder lock named after Rafael “Barata” Freitas, often applied from side control using your own arm and their lapel (or tight grip) to bind the shoulder. The Tarikoplata and Baratoplata share the idea of creative shoulder-lock mechanics rather than the standard figure-four or omoplata angle, but they arise from different positions and body configurations.

If you already understand basic submissions like those covered in a general BJJ armbar guide, learning Tarikoplata will feel like adding a new “branch” to your shoulder-lock tree rather than learning something completely separate.

Typical Entries and Setups

Common Positions for Tarikoplata

You most often see Tarikoplata attacks from:

Closed guard (overhook + sleeve/control)
Half guard (top or bottom, depending on grip battles)
Seated guard / shin-to-shin or collar-and-sleeve style guards
Scrambles where you already have a deep overhook and their hand on the mat

From closed guard, for example, a simple pathway looks like this (conceptually, not step-by-step):

You secure a deep overhook on your opponent’s arm.
You control or break the alignment of their posture so they can’t easily pull the arm out.
You swing your leg over or around their trapped arm and begin turning your hips.
Their shoulder becomes stuck between your overhook and your leg, creating a tight shoulder lock as you rotate.

Because the structure is so tight and close to your body, Tarikoplata fits well into pressure-based games and chaining attacks together.

Why It Works So Well in Modern BJJ

Modern BJJ places heavy emphasis on layered attacks: sweeps, back-takes, and submissions chained together. Tarikoplata works beautifully in those chains because if the opponent hides their arm to defend a triangle, armbar, or standard Kimura, their defensive posture often gives you the overhook and angle needed for Tarikoplata.

It also suits smaller grapplers who like to attack from guard without having to extend fully for classic omoplatas or armbars, reducing the space opponents have to escape. BJJ instructor Tarik Hopstock’s instructional series demonstrates how even middleweights can tap out much larger opponents using proper leverage with this technique.

For newer students, understanding the foundations of BJJ belt levels helps you see when complex attacks like Tarikoplata typically enter your curriculum (often around solid blue or purple belt).

Key Concepts for Learning Tarikoplata Safely

Because Tarikoplata is a shoulder lock, it can create a lot of pressure quickly. A few safety and learning concepts:

Control before crank: Secure position (overhook, head control, leg placement) before applying rotational force.
Slow, steady rotation: Turn your hips gradually—never “spike” or jerk the submission. Shoulder injuries can be serious.
Tap early as a partner: If your shoulder feels stuck or “blocked,” tap before the sharp pain hits. The structure of the lock can prevent big motion but still apply strong torque.
Drill in progressive steps: Start with static drilling (cooperative partner), then add light resistance, then situational rounds where you only attack from overhook guard.

Resources like Spartan Academy’s guide to shoulder lock techniques emphasize that gradual pressure application ensures safety while increasing the effectiveness of the submission.

For guidance on how to structure your training when adding a new submission to your game, resources like a beginner’s guide to starting jiu-jitsu or position-based drilling tips can help you avoid “spamming” techniques and instead integrate them intelligently.

When Should You Start Learning Tarikoplata?

Tarikoplata is not usually a day-one move. Most coaches prefer you first have:

Solid understanding of basic guard, posture, and frames
A reliable escape game and at least one or two high-percentage submissions (armbar, triangle, traditional Kimura)
Enough positional awareness to avoid giving up top position or back exposure for low-percentage attacks

That said, curious white belts can still be introduced to the concept, especially if their instructor likes to show modern variations to keep training fun and engaging. The key is to see Tarikoplata as a complement to core positions rather than a replacement for basics.

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