The Gogoplata and Locoplata are highly effective submissions that many grappling-based martial arts teach, such as BJJ, Judo, and even MMA. They utilize your shin to apply pressure over the opponent’s Adam’s Apple, choking and forcing him to tap out.
This article will review the Gogoplata and explain what it is. Likewise, it’ll show one of its more popular variations, which works differently, named Locoplata.
I’ve ordered the article the way it is on purpose. You want to read and understand each of the sections I present in order to understand this submission properly eventually. Many grapplers learn the Gogoplata the wrong way. So they won’t be as successful with it.
There’s also a surprise at the end of this article. But I’ll reveal it to you now. We’ll review some of the most beautiful finishes in UFC & MMA history where fighters used the Gogoplata. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for it!
If you want to be different and learn it properly, read this article in order. Alright, hopefully, you’re ready to start reading about what the Gogoplata is and why you want to learn it.
What is a Gogoplata?
The first part of this article will define what a Gogoplata is. You want to understand its general characteristics before moving to the execution. So let’s define what it is:
A Gogoplata is a submission that utilizes the shin against the opponent’s Adam’s Apple. Grappling-based martial arts teach it, including BJJ, MMA, and Judo. A Gogoplata is considered a highly effective and excruciating choke. One of its variations, Locoplata, allows you to apply more pressure.
Different coaches will teach different variants of the Gogoplata. For instance, I’ve seen some performed from the Closed Guard, Open Guard, and Full Mount. So as you can imagine, these will all look and work differently.
In the next part, we’ll review one of the more popular variations of the Gogoplata. Furthermore, we’ll then review another variant, which is slightly different, called the Locoplata. So let’s dive in!
How to perform the Gogoplata
Many grapplers are hesitant in learning the Gogoplata as they think they’re inflexible. While being flexible is definitely an advantage, with enough practice, inflexible grapplers can become comfortable with this wonderful choke.
So now, we’re going to go over many variations of the Gogoplata, including the Locoplata (at the end, so stick through this article.)
If you want to skyrocket your grappling skills, you want to know to use this excruciating choke. And you’ll be able to do that by reading this article. So, let’s dive in!
Gogoplata From Closed Guard
The first variation we’ll cover is the Gogoplata from the Closed Guard position. I’ve decided to list it as the first one because it’s, in my opinion, the best one. It’s simple, effective, practical, and fancy-looking. So if you’re interested in looking good while grappling, this is the variant you want to learn!
Here are the steps to perform it properly:
- Start in Closed Guard
- Grab the opponent’s lapel
- Break the opponent’s posture
- Overhook the opponent’s arm
- Place your right foot on his hip
- Bring your left leg up to his back
- Place the same foot under his chin
- Grab your toes using your left hand
- Grab your heel using your right hand
- Pull with the first hand (toes)
- Push with the 2nd hand (heel)
- Squeeze
- Wait for the tap
It looks quite complicated, but I assure you—you’ll get the hang of it in no time. The one requirement I see for performing this variation is being more flexible than the average grappler.
You’ll need to play around with your legs quite a lot to get this right. Thus, it’ll be best to start doing flexibility workouts if you desire to perform this easily.
The more flexible you are, the more you’ll find it easy to execute.
Mounted Gogoplata
The Full Mount position is a highly effective one. You can finish using so many submissions, such as Kimura, Americana, and the Bow and Arrow Choke. Follow this link if you want to learn to finish properly from the Mount position.
Anyways, this Mounted Gogoplata is one of your options in case you’re in Full Mount. The way you attained it doesn’t matter as much to this article. But if you want to learn to attain Full Mount, follow this link.
- Start in Mount
- Overhook your right arm around the opponent’s head
- Pin his right biceps with your hand
- Place your left shin on the opponent’s right biceps
- Frame with your right hand
- Bring his left arm using your right hand
- Isolate his hand by stepping up with your right foot
- Lean to the side
- Maintain pressure over the opponent’s isolated hand
- Slide your left hand and grab the opponent’s collar
- Pull your left hand
- Push your right leg
- Wait for the tap
This variation is quite easy to learn and execute and doesn’t require you to be as flexible as the previous one. Therefore, it can be more appealing to some of you inflexible grapplers.
But I do recommend doing flexibility training if you desire to boost your BJJ skills. Although it doesn’t directly correlate with your BJJ skills, it’ll allow you to perform more techniques, which will allow you to finish more fights and become a more adaptive fighter.
Notice how the coach isolates the opponent’s arm without using his hands at all! He’s using his legs (thighs and hips) to diminish the opponent’s maneuverability. This outcome is what you want to strive for with this submission; it’s also what most novice grapplers can’t seem to do.
Gogoplata From Rubber Guard
This variation is one of the more popular ones. What it is—is a Gogoplata from the known Rubber Guard position. Your first step before learning to perform this variant is to learn and get comfortable with the Rubber Guard if you haven’t yet done so.
Before we jump into the execution, let’s examine what the Rubber Guard is and why it’s useful to learn and know to use. The Rubber Guard is essentially a set of dominant positions that allow you to transition into submissions, such as the Omoplata, Gogoplata, and Locoplata.
The Rubber Guard is when you start in Closed Guard, break his posture, place your foot on his hips, hook your other foot around the opponent’s head, and grab the same foot’s ankle with the same-side hand.
Some of these positions are New York (which will be the position you’ll be in—in this variation), Zombie, and Chill Dog. New York is when you start in the traditional Rubber Guard (explained in the previous paragraph), slide your hand between the opponent’s head and arm, force the opponent’s hands on the mat, and grab your shin.
Now that you understand what the Rubber Guard and New York are, let’s see what this variant looks like:
- Start in New York (Rubber Guard)
- Place your right forearm on the opponent’s head
- Push your forearm outward
- Place the same hand on your shin
- Underhook your leg around his face
- Place the same leg’s foot under his chin
- Grab the opponent’s hand (both hands)
- Push his head down
- Tighten your left foot around his head
- Push your left foot
- Squeeze
- Wait for the tap
Gogoplata From Bottom Side Control
You’re in an inferior position when you’re in bottom Side Control. In this case, you have many options, but the best one will be to sweep the opponent and attain a more dominant position, such as Guard or Mount.
However, another option you have is to submit the opponent from bottom Side Control. One of the variations you can perform is the Gogoplata.
Here’s how to do it properly:
- Start at bottom Side Control
- Bridge up
- Twist your body to the left
- Bring your right leg around
- Place your right foot below the opponent’s chin
- Grab the opponent’s head
- Tighten your right foot around his neck
- Push his head down
- Squeeze your right foot for more pressure
- Wait for the tap
As you can see, this variation is very similar to the previous one in terms of execution. However, it’s different because it starts from an inferior position and it doesn’t include as many steps.
Therefore, you’ll be able to transition smoothly between bottom Side Control and this submission. So don’t hesitate to experiment with it until you get comfortable performing it quickly. Building solid muscle memory is what your focus should be on. You can do that by following the steps I presented.
Locoplata From Closed Guard
The Locoplata from Closed Guard is almost the same as the Gogoplata from the same position. There’s one difference though, which we’ll discuss in the following part of the article.
For now, however, let’s review the steps to performing this variant of the Locoplata.
- Start in Closed Guard
- Grab the opponent’s lapel
- Break the opponent’s posture
- Overhook the opponent’s arm
- Place your right foot on his hip
- Bring your left leg up to his back
- Place the same foot under his chin
- Grab your toes using your left hand
- Place your right foot on your heel
- Pull with the hand (toes)
- Push with the leg (heel)
- Squeeze
- Wait for the tap
Did you catch the difference? If you haven’t, let me spot it for you. The difference is that you’re placing your foot on your heel, and not your hand. You’re using your leg for more leverage, as it holds more force than your hand.
Essentially, the Locoplata can be more excruciating, as you’re using your leg for leverage instead of your hand. That’s why you’ll get the tap faster using it.
The primary scenario you want to use it in (foot instead of hand), is when your training partner grabs your second hand and doesn’t allow you to finish. In that case, you want to use your foot and place it on your second heel.
Tips for using the Gogoplata
You’ve reached one of the most important parts of this article: tips to finish the Gogoplata more often. These tips will allow you to do 2 critical things: (1) learn the Gogoplata faster, and (2) finish fights using it more often.
These two things will skyrocket your grappling game while boosting your confidence. These will eventually cause an increase in your motivation and dedication to the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Alright. Let’s dive into the tips!
Tip #1 – Learn one variation at a time
The 1st tip will be to learn one variation at a time. The last thing you want is to overload your brain with tons of information and best practices.
How would you act if you were to perform 5 variations simultaneously for the first time? Obviously, unless you’re superhuman, you won’t be able to remember the next steps.
So learn each variation at a time and not all of them simultaneously.
Tip #2 – You don’t really need to be flexible
You don’t really need to be that flexible to perform the Gogoplata and Locoplata. You might need to work on your movement a bit, but it won’t be long before you’re capable of performing it flawlessly.
So don’t hesitate to start learning it just because you’re not flexible. All you need is a bit of practice and to be above average in flexibility. Sometimes, some technical tweaks will allow you to be less flexible than the average and still pull it off.
Tip #3 – Tighten your foot wrap to finish more often
The 3rd tip is to tighten your foot that’s around the opponent’s neck. You want to apply as much pressure as possible, so you can finish more often, even if you didn’t perform everything by the book.
In that case, if you apply a lot of pressure, the opponent will still tap out, giving you the win. Now if you perform everything by the book but have a loose foot wrap (around the opponent’s neck), it’s highly unlikely you’ll get the tap.
Tip #4 – Work on your flexibility
The 4th tip is to always work on your flexibility. Not only is it healthy and might even prevent certain injuries, but it’ll also allow you to perform the Gogoplata more easily, which is something you want.
I know it can be intimidating to start working on your flexibility if you’re inflexible. However, start working on your movements and maneuverability to (1) improve your health, and (2) perform the Gogoplata easily.
According to a study: “Several authors have suggested that stretching has a beneficial effect on injury prevention.” Do note that the same study also reported findings that flexibility and injury prevention aren’t correlated.
Instances where the Gogoplata was used in fights
This part of the article is the one we’ve all waited for. We have here instances (real fights) where the Gogoplata was used. You’ll see how the fighters who use it are able to finish the fight quickly and efficiently.
Their opponents can’t do anything but watch how their opponents choke them. It’s crazy hard to escape the Gogoplata once someone has their hold on you. So, make sure to keep control, and let’s now dive into the fun part!
Andrew Tenneson (LFA 66)
This is one of the most beautiful finishes I’ve seen. You can see how flashy the Gogoplata is by watching this fight. You’ll see how Andrew can finish the fight by getting his leg under the opponent’s chin and applying the choke from there, just like you know!
Nick Diaz (Pride)
We have here another beautiful use of the Gogoplata to finish a fight. Again, watch how tight the choke is and how excruciating of an experience it is to their opponents.
What’s the difference between Gogoplata and Locoplata
The difference between the Gogoplata and Locoplata is that you’re using your hand as leverage in the first—and your foot as leverage in the latter. In the Locoplata, you’re pushing your heel (that’s around the opponent’s neck) with your foot, instead of your head, which might be less powerful.
Final Words
The Gogoplata is a highly effective submission in BJJ, MMA, and even Judo. It utilizes neck pressure to force the opponent to tap out, like your typical choke. You’ll wrap your foot around the opponent’s neck and use your two hands to apply more pressure, by pulling the opponent’s head.
The Locoplata is a variant of the Gogoplata. The only difference is that it uses your foot to drive more force (instead of your hand.) You’ll place your foot on the opponent’s heel and push upward while pulling the opponent’s head.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to learn and master one of the variations I’ve listed in this article. While learning all of them will be beneficial, you want to focus and one and really master it.
Furthermore, there are many other submissions you want to learn from the Closed Guard position. Learn to finish properly and quickly from the Closed Guard position (including 13 submissions you want to know)—by following this link!
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
BJJ 101: Helio Gracie Choke (From Closed Guard)
Bow and Arrow Choke – From BJJ Beginner to Pro
BJJ 101: Ninja Choke – Complete Breakdown
Ezekiel Choke 101 – Complete BJJ Guide