The shear‐locking phenomenon in discrete bending analysis of Mindlin/Reissner plates is investigated. Mixed/hybrid variational principles are introduced which, unlike the rigorous displacement model, allow systematic derivation of locking‐free finite elements. This is achieved by satisfaction of an auxiliary condition, having the clear physical interpretation of shear‐force elimination on account of equilibrium. An example, using competitive techniques, demonstrates the applicability of the idea.