Stefan led the class. Rodrigo was giving a seminar in Port Townsend today.
Stefan had us work two omoplata variations. The first was the standard omoplata. The second was a way of gaining the mount position in the event that the guy rolls out of the omoplata.
I love omoplatas. Some things just seem to work for some people and I think omoplata's work for me. Renato Magno said in that interview in Grappling magazine that omoplatas were the ultimate giant killer. I think this is because you very directly get to use all of your bodyweight on the very specific target of the guy's shoulder. It also involves a roll, which I like, and which can disorient the other guy for long enough for you to really attain a superior position.
Stefan's omoplata works like this. The guys is in your closed guard. You are looking for his arm to be a bit away from his body, if possible, preferably with the elbow poked out a little bit. This is to provide space for your hip as you roll over. One way to set it up might be to force the guy's arm toward the middle as if you were setting him up for an armbar. The action/reaction principle suggests that he will move his arm farther out thaan he needs to because he'll be wary for the armbar. That might make him more vulnerable to the omoplata.
We'll go to my right, attacking his left shoulder. Open your guard and plant your left foot on the mat. You could also probably plant your left foot in his right hip--whichever way gives you the better leverage.
You want to hook your right leg up under his armpit, with your toes pointing to your left. As you roll into the omoplata, your toes will point back toward the position you were just in. Hold his left arm by the wrist or elbow if you can get a good grip. Scott your left leg around behind you--you are doing the "sidecar" hip drill, in a sense.
Stefan likes this next step, though I've seen others do it differently. Stefan has use take the hoooking leg and hook the foot of that leg under the guy's chin. This applies pressure by keeping his head up while you are pressuring his shoulder down with your thigh.
Watch his hand! One defense against omoplatas (and kimura's for that matter) is for the guy to grab his own gi. Keep his lower arm close to you as you roll into the omoplata, only bringing it back close to him as you are applying the pressure. Cesar Gracie describes the pressure as "trying to touch his ear with his wrist." It's the basic handcuff move.
You also want to grab the guy's back or belt to keep him from rolling over and releasing the pressure. If he does manage to anticipate the omoplata, you want to do the variation.
The variation has you roll with him. From the above starting place, if the guy rolls on you, you want to turn around toward your left, keeping your momentum moving in the same direction AND keeping the arm trapped between your legs. You will end up in a starfish pattern in mount high up on his chest. He will be in a bad, bad position. It won't take much to submit him by catching his trapped arm with a keylock, kimura or straight armlock.
These details are a little sketchy, but I've got the main points down.
Saturday rolling was fine enough. Rolled with Arnell and Mario mostly, and once with Stefan. Mario asked if I had somebody to practice with at home because he thought I was getting better very fast. That was a nice compliment. Arnell was going on about how good my arm attacks were. I was rolling with Mario and heard Arnell say, "there he goes for the arm. Once he gets your arm, that's it." Another very nice compliment from two of the good guys at GB Seattle. I really appreciated it--especially after feeling a little shitty about my progress a week or two ago.
