The Baratoplata: An Intro Guide to This Dynamic Sub

The baratoplata has become a must-know move to advance your BJJ game. This incredibly diverse submission has given guard players an extra weapon and an unexpected attack from top positions.

Here is a great intro guide for how to do the dynamic submission known as the baratoplata. Check out the video basic setups, videos, and key details for hitting this submission.

What is the Baratoplata?

A baratoplata is a variation of the omoplata that was invented by Rafael “Barata” Freitas. Barata(cockroach in English) basically developed a reverse omoplata when he came up with this technique.

With a traditional omoplata, your leg hooks around your opponent’s shoulder from behind their body. A baratoplata setup is the opposite where you hook the shoulder in front of the body.

The shoulder is also contorted in a different direction when the pressure is put on. 

Once this shoulder lock was introduced into grappling it caught on like wildfire. It has evolved into an incredibly dynamic technique that can get set up from multiple positions.

The equally effective tarikoplata also evolved from this submission.

Rafael “Barata” Freitas

Baratoplata From The Guard 

The original baratoplata was developed from the closed guard and is arguably the most effective setup. Here are the easy steps to lock in this submission.

2-on-1 to Figure Four Grip

From your closed guard, your first step will be to establish control of your partner’s arm with a 2-on-1 grip. Take a grip on some material above your partner’s elbow and a cross-sleeve grip to establish your initial control.

From here, you’re going to hip out to make space so you can change your grip to a figure-four. When space opens, shoot your outside arm behind your partner’s, and grab your own wrist.

Make sure that you use this grip to push their hand to their chest to take space and prevent them from defending.

Leg Positioning

Your leg positioning is vital to get into the finishing sequence of the submission. Unlock your guard, place your top leg on top of your partner’s neck, and keep it heavy.

As you do this, you’re going to do a small hip out and bring your knee between your partner’s body and arm. It also traps their hand between your bodies.

Don’t try to just look your leg around their neck, because they will be able to easily defend it.

Getting Into The Baratoplata

When you bring your knee to the inside, this motion traps your partner’s hand between the two of you. You can now start getting into the finishing position.

Bring your inside knee across your partner’s body and place against the side of their face. Placing your knee against their face prevents them from turning in and defending.

This allows you to hip out, do a windshield wiper motion with your leg, and hook your foot on their head.

The Finish

Once you’ve established control, you can now go for the finish. Put your outside foot on your partner’s hip as you turn your body to the outside to lock on the pressure. 

To help you get more pressure, you can also hook under your partner’s leg to help you turn.

Baratoplata From Double Unders

The submission is also a great counter against a double under pass. Here are the steps to hit the baratoplats off defending a doubler under pass.

Grips & Control 

Before you can start setting up the submission, you have to defend against the double unders pass. The two key details to defending the pass are to get sleeve grips and keep your legs heavy.

Be sure to keep your feet on your partner’s hips as you push your sleeve grips into their legs.

Hip Out & Arm Drag

Once you have defended the pass attempt, you can start setting up the shoulder lock. Start by slightly hipping out to your side, let go of a sleeve grip, and hook under your partner’s arm.

Gable Grip & Trap the Hand

Next, switch your arm drag to a Gable grip by connecting both of your hands behind your partner’s arm. Keep your top hand palm down when you connect your grips.

Now, as you’re securing the grip, hip out and hook your leg over your partner’s hand as you close your guard. When you close your guard, your partner’s hand should be outside of your guard.

Cup Your Thigh & Pass the Leg

Naturally, your parter will assume an armbar or triangle choke and begin posturing up. This will allow you to start finishing your set up.

First, take your grip and start pulling your hands underneath your leg until your far hand is visible. Take this hand and cup your thigh for control and to keep your partner from pulling out their trapped hand.

Then just like the normal baratoplata setup, bring your leg over your partner’s head and hook their shoulder with your foot.

From there, start turning your hips to the outside to lock on the pressure and get the tap.

Baratoplata Off a Triangle Choke 

When you throw up a triangle choke, an opportunity for a baratoplata opens up when your partner defends. Here’s how you can set it up.

Triangle Choke Defenses

When you throw up a triangle choke, your partner will react by doing one of the following defenses. They will either posture up, stack, or hide their hand outside of your guard. Which ever one they attempt will give you an entry into the baratoplata.

Setting up the Sub

The set up is almost the same steps as the traditional one, but arguably even easier. While your partner is defending your triangle, slide your hand in to cup your thigh and trap their hand(if it isn’t already trapped).

Next, just throw your top leg over your partner’s head to hook their shoulder and go into the finishing sequence. 

Baratoplata From the Mount

There’s even a great baratoplata you can set up from the mount that is easier than the traditional setup. Here’s how you can lock it in.

2-on-1 & Step Over

From the mount, your first step will be to control one of your partner’s arms with a 2-on-1 grip. One hand is grabbing their wrist, while you hook your other arm between their bicep and forearm.

Once you’ve established control, step your leg across their body and cup you’re thigh. You’re now in the finishing position for this shoulder lock from the mount.

The Finish 

To finish the sub, hook your partner’s arm to roll yourself to your back, and keep turning to get the tap.