When you think about submissions that attack the shoulder, you might think or the Kimura lock or the Americana. Both are very versatile submissions, but there are more that you may not be familiar with.

Creative jiu-jitsu minds have developed multiple different attacks on the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint has a great range of motion, but sacrifices some stability (compared to the knee or the elbow joints).

1) Standing omoplata counter to single leg takedown
Prof Carlos Liberi is one of Gracie Barra’s most experienced instructors and he shows and advanced way to counter attack a wrestler’s single leg takedown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6JuVR72U80

2) Kimura from Side Mount Triangle control 
Prof. Marcos Perez from GB Brisas, Panama demonstrates a double attack where you control the opponent with a triangle and then attack his free arm with Kimura. This might be my favorite Kimura!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1jkher2Pog

3) Countering Americana with Americana shoulder lock / Americana com capotagem contra atacando com Americana
Prof Carlos Liberi shows an advanced application for a technique that you may have learned your first week in jiu-jitsu – the basic Americana shoulder lock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caeHcP7PKPU

4) Reverse shoulder lock
This might be called a “monoplata” and is a sort of reverse omoplata. Professor Nao Takigawa from Gracie Barra Japan shows how to get into this position by attacking the turtle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNjZxUhL0PA

on Gracie Barra : Take And Attack The Back
https://graciebarra.com/gb-news/gb-learning/take-and-attack-the-back/

Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Saigon, Vietnam
Instagram: @markmullen.bjj