By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Technique Breakdown | Last Updated: January 16, 2026
The Tarikoplata is one of the most innovative submissions in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
For years, the Kimura was the king of shoulder locks. However, strong opponents could defend it by hiding their hands or grabbing their belt. Enter Tarik Hopstock. As a blue belt, he developed a solution: using his leg to replace his arm, creating a lever so powerful that standard defenses simply stop working.
This guide explains exactly what the Tarikoplata is, how to set it up, and why you should add it to your game today.
Table of Contents
What is the Tarikoplata?
The Tarikoplata is a hybrid shoulder lock that sits between a Kimura and an Omoplata.
In a standard Kimura, you use your two arms to rotate the opponent’s shoulder. In a Tarikoplata, you thread your leg through the opponent’s arm and grab your own thigh.
- The Mechanics: Your leg becomes the fulcrum. This allows you to use your entire body weight (legs + hips) to break the opponent’s grip, rather than just your arm strength, as noted in shoulder lock mechanics guides by BJJ More.
- Why It Works: It isolates the shoulder joint in a way that makes “straightening the arm” (the usual defense) impossible.
The Origin Story
The move was invented by Norwegian grappler Tarik Hopstock around 2014. Frustrated by failing to finish Kimuras on stronger opponents, he started experimenting with using his legs to assist the rotation. By the time he reached brown belt, he was hitting it on world-class black belts, according to his bio on BJJ Heroes.
Step-by-Step: How to Do the Tarikoplata
The most common entry is from the North-South or Top Side Control position when you already have a Kimura grip.
Step 1: The Kimura Grip Setup
Start by securing a standard Kimura grip (Figure-Four) on your opponent’s far arm.
- Problem: They lock their hands together or grab their belt to defend. You cannot pull their arm free.
Step 2: The Leg Insert
This is the signature move.
- Step Over: Step your leg (the one closest to their head) over their head, just like you are going for an armbar.
- Thread Through: Instead of sitting back, slide your foot inside the triangle created by your opponent’s bent arm.
- The Thigh Grip: Let go of your wrist grip (your “pushing” hand) and grab your own thigh (of the leg you just threaded through).
Step 3: The Finish
Now you have the Tarikoplata lock.
- Rotate: Lean back and rotate your torso towards their hips.
- The Lever: Your leg acts as a crowbar, prying their forearm away from their body.
- Tap: The pressure on the shoulder is immense and immediate.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Shallow Leg Insertion
The Mistake: You barely get your toes inside their arm.
The Fix: You need to weave your leg deep. Your shin/thigh should be doing the work, not just your foot.
2. Losing the Chest Connection
The Mistake: You sit too far away, allowing them to roll.
The Fix: Keep your chest heavy on their tricep/shoulder area until the lock is secured.
3. Confusing it with a Baratoplata
The Mistake: Many people mix these up.
The Difference: In a Tarikoplata, you grab your own thigh. In a Baratoplata, you trap their arm with a triangle on your biceps/shoulder. As Evolve MMA explains, the Tarikoplata is generally easier to finish from top position, while the Baratoplata is common from guard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do Tarikoplata from the bottom?
Yes. You can enter it from Closed Guard if you break their posture and isolate an arm, similar to a high-guard Kimura setup.
Is it legal at white belt?
Yes. Since it is a shoulder lock (like a Kimura) and not a bicep slicer or cervical lock, it is generally legal at all belt levels in IBJJF rules.
Why choose this over a regular Kimura?
Power. If you are small and your opponent is big, the Kimura often fails. The Tarikoplata uses your legs, making it the superior option for smaller grapplers.
Conclusion
The Tarikoplata is not just a “trick” move; it is a mechanical upgrade to the Kimura. By involving your legs, you multiply your breaking power.
Next time you get stuck in a Kimura battle, don’t burn your arms out. Step over, grab your thigh, and feel the power of the Tarikoplata.