YR Sports Lab
Both legs high on the opponent's back, a shin sliding up under the chin, hands pulling the back of the head down: that is the gogoplata. It is often called flashy and hard to land, and its origin is still argued over. This guide covers its judo precursor and the BJJ origin dispute, mechanics, three routes, common counters, and how often it really shows up in ADCC 2024 tallies and high-level competition.
1. Origin and Story: Who Actually Invented It?
The name gogoplata comes from the Portuguese word "gogó", which refers to the Adam's apple area (Wikipedia). The idea is direct: the shin or instep presses across the front of the windpipe while both hands pull the back of the head down. Evolve notes it is called kagato-jime in judo (Wikipedia spells it kakato-jime, which this article follows) and became widely known in BJJ through Eddie Bravo's Rubber Guard.
There is no single answer on origin. Wikipedia says the judoka Kyuzo Mifune demonstrated a scissors choke (hasami-jime) in the film The Essence of Judo, applied while transitioning from the bottom of kami-shiho-gatame, and that the gogoplata as used today first appeared in Mikonosuke Kawaishi's book My Method of Judo, where it was named kakato-jime (heel choke). Sources disagree on the book's publication year, so this article does not state one.
Another claim from the BJJ world: Nino Schembri's account
In July 2020 BJJEE republished a Tatame Magazine interview in which Antonio "Nino" Schembri (described in the report as a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. who competed for Gracie Barra in the 1990s) says he invented the gogoplata. He says he showed the position to Renzo in Abu Dhabi in 2000 and used it in a São Paulo competition against Julius Mariano. He also acknowledges that others said the position already existed, and accuses Eddie Bravo of putting names on his positions.
These are Schembri's personal claims, and the article does not verify them independently. The fair summary is that the judo precursor is documented, while credit for the BJJ version remains disputed.
Bravo's role is clearer: Evolve says he spread the gogoplata through his Rubber Guard system, and Wikipedia records that he popularized the Locoplata, a variation where the free foot pushes up on the choking foot for more pressure. For the guard system it belongs to, see our Rubber Guard technique guide.
In MMA, Sherdog's New Year's Eve feature says Shinya Aoki beat Joachim Hansen with a gogoplata at PRIDE Shockwave 2006 on December 31, 2006, at 2:24 of round 1, calling it "the first gogoplata-induced tapout in MMA history", while noting that "first" only counts bouts between high-level fighters. Wikipedia's record table for Katsuhiko Nagata lists a loss to Aoki by mounted gogoplata at Dream 4 on June 15, 2008, at 5:12 of round 1. Sources differ on who was "first", so this article cites only these two cross-checked fights.
2. Mechanics: Shin Across the Throat, Hands Behind the Head, Pull Down
The steps below are compiled from Digitsu and Evolve. Digitsu's key detail: the shin must sit directly across the front of the throat, not the chin or chest, to compress the windpipe effectively.
| Stage | Key points |
|---|---|
| ① Clear the arm | Clear the opponent's arm on the choking side so the shin has a path |
| ② Shin across the throat | Thread the leg through and lay the shin across the front of the throat, not the chin or face |
| ③ Anchor with the free leg | Hook the other leg over the back or far shoulder to stop the opponent posturing up |
| ④ Hands behind the head | Grip the crown of the head rather than the back of the neck for leverage |
| ⑤ Pull down and extend | Pull the head onto the shin, extend the hips slightly, then adjust until the windpipe is compressed |
Three common mistakes: the shin too high on the face or chin, which makes a crank with no choke and gives the opponent time to escape; the free leg not controlling posture, which lets the opponent stack and pull away; and gripping the back of the neck instead of the crown, which lacks leverage. Evolve also calls the technique "largely attribute-based", saying students with above-average flexibility have more success.
3. Entry Timing and Setups
This is a technique summary, not match statistics. Digitsu lists entries from Gogoplata Control, Crackhead Control, Invisible Collar, New York Control, bottom Closed Guard and Inverted Guard (less common), and says the choke works well against opponents who "posture low or get trapped in overhook/mission control setups".
First, from Rubber Guard or bottom Closed Guard. This is the classic route. Evolve shows it from the back: lay one shin across the opponent's shoulder and behind the back, hook that ankle with one arm, overhook the knee with the other arm, then bring the shin to the throat.
Second, in a chain with the Omoplata and Armbar. Digitsu puts the gogoplata in one chain with the Omoplata and armbar, with this rule: if the opponent stacks or postures, switch to an Omoplata or armbar instead of forcing the choke.
Third, from mount. Aoki against Nagata in Wikipedia's record table, and FloGrappling's 2019 ADCC preview saying "the mounted gogoplata is another go-to submission by Hinger over the years" (Josh Hinger), both fall on this route.
4. Strengths and Limits
| Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|
| Available from Rubber Guard, bottom Closed Guard or mount | Evolve calls it "largely attribute-based"; flexibility demands are high |
| Chains with the Omoplata and Armbar; Digitsu advises switching when the opponent stacks or postures | A shin placed slightly too high becomes a neck crank with no choke |
| If it fails you can transition to an Omoplata or Armbar without losing the attack | Digitsu says it is typically entered from bottom positions such as Closed Guard or Rubber Guard variations |
5. Common Counters
Digitsu has no dedicated escape section. The directions below read its common mistakes and grip points in reverse, so treat them as our inference in technique-note form:
First, posture up and keep the head from being pulled down. Digitsu advises anchoring the free leg over the back or far shoulder to prevent the opponent from posturing up; our inference from that is that once the opponent can sit up, the shin can hardly stay directly across the throat.
Second, stack and pull away. When the free leg is not locking posture, the defender can stack over and slip the head out. Digitsu lists this as a failure mode.
Third, disrupt the hands behind the head early. Digitsu's grip point is both hands on the crown of the head, so by inference the defender can prioritize stopping that grip from forming (our inference).
Options after the choke is stopped
When the opponent stacks or postures, Digitsu recommends switching immediately to an Omoplata or armbar rather than forcing the shin.
When the shin ends up high and becomes a neck crank, reset the position or let it go instead of forcing it, and see our neck crank safety guide.
6. How Often It Appears in Competition
IBJJF and ADCC publish placings and brackets, not per-technique statistics, so frequency can only come from third-party tallies. In a September 6, 2024 article, Austin Haedicke of Savage Zen Athletics listed the most frequent ADCC 2024 submissions as RNC (25%), Armbar (20%), Guillotine (10%), Heel Hook (10%) and Triangle (8%); the gogoplata does not appear in that article (third-party tally, data year 2024, checked 2026/10).
That does not mean it never happens: FloGrappling's 2019 ADCC preview notes Josh Hinger's mounted gogoplata, and Sherdog calls it "rarely utilized". The only honest conclusion is qualitative: it is a rare but real finish at high levels. We found no reliable per-technique rate, so no percentage is given.
On rules, we could not open the official IBJJF rulebook to verify restrictions by belt for this technique, and event rules vary by organizer. Check the current year's rules and the event announcement before you register.
7. Safety Notes: The Pressure Is on the Windpipe
The gogoplata presses on the windpipe at the front of the neck rather than the carotid arteries on the sides, so its risks differ from a typical blood choke. We searched public sources and found no study reporting gogoplata-specific injury rates, so the principles below are conservative training advice, not research findings.
・Apply pressure slowly and never jerk the head; release the instant your partner taps
・Tap early when caught, before throat pain or trouble breathing
・A shin on the chin or face is a neck crank, not a choke; stop and reset
・If hoarseness, trouble swallowing or neck pain appear after training, stop and see a doctor
・Further reading: choke safety guide
FAQ
What is a gogoplata, and is it a blood choke?
The gogoplata is a choke that presses the shin or instep across the front of the throat, so it targets the windpipe rather than the carotid arteries. Digitsu notes the shin must sit directly across the throat; on the chin or face it becomes a neck crank.
Who invented the gogoplata?
Nobody can be named with certainty. Wikipedia says Kawaishi's judo book already showed a similar kakato-jime (heel choke), Schembri says he developed the BJJ version around 2000, and Evolve says Eddie Bravo popularized it through the Rubber Guard.
Can I learn the gogoplata if I am not flexible?
You can train it, but flexibility strongly affects success. Evolve calls the technique "largely attribute-based" and says students with above-average flexibility have more success. A mounted version also exists, so it does not always need Rubber Guard.
What should I do when someone has a gogoplata on me?
Posture up and keep your head from being pulled down before the shin crosses your throat. If pressure is already on the throat, tap right away instead of toughing it out. This is a training suggestion drawn from technique write-ups, not a research finding.
References
1. Wikipedia contributors. Gogoplata. en.wikipedia.org/Gogoplata (checked 2026/10; supports the Portuguese "gogó" name origin, Mifune's hasami-jime, Kawaishi's kakato-jime, Eddie Bravo and the Locoplata)
2. BJJEE. Nino Schembri: 'Eddie Bravo Stole My Positions & Began To Put Names On Them' (republishing a Tatame Magazine interview, 2020/07/18). bjjee.com (checked 2026/10; supports Schembri's own claim of showing Renzo in Abu Dhabi in 2000 and using it against Julius Mariano, a personal account)
3. Evolve MMA. BJJ 101: The Gogoplata. evolve-mma.com (checked 2026/10; supports the kagato-jime name, the Rubber Guard setup and the "largely attribute-based" flexibility remark; its date for Aoki vs Nagata conflicts with Wikipedia's record table and was not used)
4. Digitsu. Gogoplata. digitsu.com (checked 2026/10; third-party technique write-up supporting the steps, shin across the throat, common mistakes, entry positions and switching to an Omoplata when the opponent stacks)
5. Sherdog. Sherdog's Top 10 New Year's Eve Fights. sherdog.com (checked 2026/10; supports PRIDE Shockwave 2006, 2006/12/31, Aoki vs Hansen at 2:24 of round 1 and the "rarely utilized" remark)
6. Wikipedia contributors. Katsuhiko Nagata. en.wikipedia.org/Katsuhiko_Nagata (checked 2026/10; supports Dream 4, 2008/06/15, round 1 at 5:12, Aoki winning by mounted gogoplata)
7. FloGrappling. 9 of the Best Submission Finishers Heading Into ADCC 2019. flograppling.com (checked 2026/10; third-party article supporting the description of Josh Hinger's mounted gogoplata)
8. Haedicke A. ADCC 2024: Aftermath and Analysis. Savage Zen Athletics, 2024/09/06. journal.onward-llc.com (third-party tally, data year 2024, checked 2026/10; supports the order of most frequent ADCC 2024 submissions, which does not list the gogoplata)