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Tarikoplata: Modern Shoulder Lock Explained
The tarikoplata swaps a second hand for your leg, turning the classic kimura into a shoulder lock that needs almost no upper-body strength to finish.
What the Tarikoplata Is
The tarikoplata is a modern shoulder lock. Think of it as an upgraded kimura. It uses your leg as a lever instead of relying only on your arms. Norwegian grappler Tarik Hopstock developed it around 2014. He built it to beat opponents who defend the kimura grip well.
How the Setup Works
- Start from a kimura grip on your opponent's wrist.
- Thread your same-side leg through the gap between their arm and body.
- Grab your own thigh or shin with your free hand, locking the leg in place.
- Rotate your hips, using the leg as the main source of pressure.
The leg does the work a second hand normally would in a standard kimura. That's what makes the tarikoplata hard to defend once it locks in.
Why It Works So Well for Smaller Grapplers
The leg generates the pressure here, not your arms. You don't need much upper-body strength to finish it. That makes the tarikoplata a popular choice for lighter competitors facing bigger opponents.
Common Mistakes
- Not threading the leg deep enough. The lock stays loose and easy to slip.
- Losing the wrist grip during the transition. Your opponent can straighten the arm.
- Rushing the rotation before your leg is fully locked in place.
Defending the Tarikoplata
Defend it the same way you'd defend a kimura. Keep your elbow tight to your body from the start, before the leg ever threads through. Once the leg is in place, your window to defend closes fast.
If you already know the kimura, our kimura guide is the natural companion to this one, since the entries and grips overlap closely.
Tagged with:#tarikoplata#shoulder lock#no-gi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tarikoplata just a kimura?
It shares the same wrist grip and target joint, but replaces the second controlling hand with a threaded leg, which changes the leverage significantly.
Who invented the tarikoplata?
Norwegian grappler Tarik Hopstock developed and popularized it around 2014.
Is the tarikoplata legal at white belt?
It is a shoulder lock rather than a leg attack, so it carries the same legality as the kimura and is permitted at every belt level under IBJJF rules.
Does the tarikoplata work in the gi?
Yes. The wrist grip and leg thread work the same with or without a gi, though gi grips on the sleeve can make the setup slightly easier to control.
Sources & Further Reading
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-01.