Crab Ride Bottom is a defensive position where you find yourself on all fours in turtle position while your opponent has established a one-sided back control with hooks and upper body control. This position is common in wrestling-based grappling and represents a critical juncture where the bottom player must defend against back takes while seeking opportunities to escape or counter. The position gets its name from the crab-like configuration of the top player’s body as they wrap around the bottom player’s side with asymmetric hook control.
From the bottom perspective, Crab Ride is a high-pressure defensive position that requires immediate action. Unlike traditional turtle where both players may be relatively static, Crab Ride Bottom involves dynamic movement as the top player actively works to complete the back take or advance to other controlling positions. The bottom player’s primary objectives are to prevent the second hook from being inserted, strip the existing hook, and create separation to escape or re-guard. Understanding the mechanics of hook removal and hip positioning is essential for survival in this position.
Strategically, Crab Ride Bottom is often a transitional state rather than a sustainable position. The bottom player must balance defensive priorities - protecting the neck from chokes, preventing the second hook, and maintaining base to avoid being flattened. Successful defense requires combining technical precision with explosive movement, as small windows of opportunity emerge when the top player adjusts their grips or shifts weight to improve position. Advanced practitioners can even counter-attack from this seemingly disadvantageous position, using the top player’s commitment to the ride as an opportunity for reversals or leg attacks.
Position Definition
- Bottom player on hands and knees in turtle/quadruped position with weight distributed through both arms and legs, maintaining defensive ball-up posture with chin tucked and elbows tight to prevent space for attacks
- Top player has one hook (typically inside hook) inserted on one side with foot crossed over bottom player’s thigh or wrapped around leg, while maintaining chest-to-back pressure and upper body control through collar ties, overhooks, or seatbelt grip
- Top player’s body positioned asymmetrically on one side of bottom player, creating the characteristic ‘crab’ shape with one leg hooking while the other leg posts for base and leverage to complete back take or maintain control
Prerequisites
- Bottom player has entered turtle position from guard pass defense, takedown defense, or failed guard pull
- Top player has established initial hook insertion from turtle top position
- Top player has secured upper body control through grips on collar, belt, or body
- Bottom player’s base has been partially compromised but not yet fully broken
Key Defensive Principles
- Keep weight distributed on all four points (hands and knees) to maintain base and prevent being flattened to mat
- Immediately address the inserted hook by clearing it or preventing second hook insertion
- Protect the neck by keeping chin tucked and maintaining tight defensive posture
- Use explosive hip movement and direction changes to create separation and disrupt top player’s balance
- Time defensive movements with top player’s grip changes and weight shifts to maximize escape opportunities
- Maintain awareness of choke threats while prioritizing positional defense to prevent full back control
- Create frames with elbows and shoulders to prevent top player from consolidating control
Available Escapes
Hip Escape → Turtle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Granby Roll → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Standing up in Base → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Sit Through Escape → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 45%
Rolling Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 10%
- Intermediate: 20%
- Advanced: 35%
Hook Strip to Re-Guard → Butterfly Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent has only one hook and is trying to insert second hook:
- Execute Hip Escape → Turtle (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Hook Strip to Re-Guard → Butterfly Guard (Probability: 35%)
If opponent has strong upper body control and is breaking you down:
- Execute Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Probability: 40%)
- Execute Forward Roll Escape → Closed Guard (Probability: 30%)
If opponent is high on your back with loose hook control:
- Execute Standing up in Base → Standing Position (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 25%)
If opponent commits weight to one side for truck entry:
- Execute Sit Through Escape → Half Guard (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Explosive Hip Movement → Turtle (Probability: 35%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Escape to Safety Path
Crab Ride Bottom → Hip Escape → Turtle → Technical Stand-up → Standing Position (Neutral)
Counter-Attack Path
Crab Ride Bottom → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Guard Recovery Path
Crab Ride Bottom → Granby Roll → Closed Guard → Triangle Setup → Triangle Choke
Wrestling Escape Path
Crab Ride Bottom → Standing up in Base → Standing Rear Clinch → Hip Escape → Neutral Standing Position
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20% | 15% | 5% |
| Intermediate | 35% | 30% | 10% |
| Advanced | 50% | 45% | 20% |
Average Time in Position: 15-30 seconds
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The crab ride bottom position represents a critical phase in the turtle position hierarchy where defensive priorities must be immediately established. The biomechanical reality is that once the first hook is inserted, you are working against time - the longer you remain in this position, the more likely the top player will consolidate control. The key is understanding the concept of ‘hook removal windows’ - brief moments when the top player adjusts their grips or shifts weight where the inserted hook becomes vulnerable to stripping. Technically, you must maintain what I call ‘structured chaos’ - explosive, unpredictable movement that prevents the opponent from settling into their control, while simultaneously maintaining enough structure to protect your neck and prevent being flattened. The granby roll is often the highest percentage escape because it combines direction change, explosive hip movement, and positional inversion in a single technique that is difficult for the top player to counter if timed correctly with their weight shifts.
Gordon Ryan
From competition experience, I can tell you that staying in crab ride bottom is a losing battle - you need to explode out of it immediately. The best grapplers I’ve faced in this position never let me get comfortable; they’re constantly moving, changing directions, and making it exhausting for me to maintain the ride. What works at the highest level is combining your defensive escapes with constant hand fighting - don’t let them get clean grips on your collar or belt because that’s what allows them to break you down. I’ve had success both escaping and attacking from this position depending on how the top player commits their weight. If they’re aggressive going for the back take, the granby roll works great. If they’re being more conservative, sometimes you can actually counter them with a rolling back take or sit-through to half guard. The key is reading their intentions and timing your explosions for when they’re adjusting position - that’s when they’re most vulnerable.
Eddie Bravo
Crab ride bottom is where 10th Planet guys need to think outside the box because traditional turtle defense isn’t enough against high-level back attackers. What we focus on is the ‘Electric Chair mindset’ even from bottom - looking for leg entanglements and off-balancing opportunities while defending. One thing that’s super effective is when the top guy has that one hook in, you can actually use your leg to trap their hooking leg and create a lockdown-style control, then use that to facilitate your granby or sit-through. It’s all about being unpredictable and uncomfortable to ride. We also drill a lot of inverted movements from this position - forward rolls, reverse granby, even cartwheel escapes for the flexible guys. The moment you accept being static in crab ride bottom, you’re going to get your back taken or get caught in a twister setup. Keep moving, stay creative, and look for those unconventional escapes that people don’t expect.