Glossary /// Alias
Single-leg omoplata escape
Also known as Monoplata Escape — the canonical term used on this site.
Descriptive — omoplata shape using one leg
Single-leg omoplata escape is the descriptive name for monoplata defence, naming the variant that builds the shoulder lock with one leg instead of the usual two.
Etymology. Mono- carries the same “one” that the descriptive form spells out. The distinction matters defensively because one leg means partial isolation, which changes what the defender still has available.
Mechanics. With only one leg committed the isolation is incomplete, so the free hand does real work here — the one page in the plata family where a hand is worth using rather than a distraction. Framing with it and turning toward the trapped shoulder recovers the arm before the second leg can arrive.
Cross-reference. “One-leg shoulder lock defence” is the alternate name. Full escape coverage on Monoplata Escape.