Double Jump Top

Jan 23, 20268 min read

Double Jump Top is an advanced attacking position from turtle where the top practitioner establishes bilateral leg hooks (both legs hooking inside the opponent’s thighs) while maintaining upper body control. This dynamic position creates immediate back-taking opportunities and represents a transitional state between turtle top control and full back control. The position gets its name from the explosive ‘jumping’ motion used to establish both hooks simultaneously, though it can also be entered progressively.

The strategic value of Double Jump Top lies in its ability to bypass traditional turtle defenses and create immediate submission threats. By controlling the opponent’s hips with leg hooks while maintaining upper body pressure through harness grips or crossface control, the top player eliminates the bottom player’s base and forces defensive reactions. This position is particularly effective in no-gi competition where traditional collar grips are unavailable, and leg entanglement becomes the primary control mechanism.

Double Jump Top represents modern turtle attack methodology, emphasizing leg-based controls over purely upper-body attacks. The position creates a powerful dilemma: if the opponent attempts to address the leg hooks, they expose their back; if they defend their back, the leg hooks can be used to off-balance and sweep. This dual-threat nature makes Double Jump Top a high-percentage entry to back control against skilled defensive grapplers who excel at defending traditional turtle attacks.

Position Definition

  • Top practitioner’s legs hooked inside bottom opponent’s thighs bilaterally, with feet controlling hip positioning and preventing base recovery
  • Top practitioner maintains upper body control through harness grips (seatbelt), crossface, or overhook positioning to prevent opponent’s escape to guard
  • Bottom opponent remains in turtle base position (hands and knees) but with compromised hip control due to leg hooks eliminating lower body stability
  • Top practitioner’s chest pressure directed into opponent’s upper back or shoulder region, creating forward and downward weight distribution
  • Bottom opponent’s defensive posture attempts to maintain hand-knee base while managing dual threats of back exposure and sweep vulnerability

Prerequisites

  • Opponent in defensive turtle position with hands and knees on mat
  • Top practitioner has positional dominance from previous guard pass, scramble, or turtle attack
  • Sufficient space and timing to establish first leg hook without immediate counter
  • Upper body control established (crossface, overhook, or head control) before leg hook insertion
  • Opponent’s defensive focus directed toward traditional turtle defense rather than leg hook prevention

Key Offensive Principles

  • Establish leg hooks progressively or explosively depending on opponent’s base strength and defensive awareness
  • Maintain constant upper body pressure to prevent opponent sitting to guard or rolling through escapes
  • Use leg hooks to control opponent’s hips and eliminate base rather than as static positioning
  • Create immediate back-taking opportunities by transitioning hooks from inside position to traditional back control hooks
  • Balance weight distribution between chest pressure and hook control to prevent opponent’s defensive rolls
  • Anticipate and counter opponent’s attempt to sit to butterfly guard by redirecting to back control
  • Maintain offensive initiative by chaining attacks between back-takes, crab rides, and truck positions

Available Attacks

Turtle to Back Control → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 70%

Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 65%

Transition to Truck → Truck

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 60%

Rolling Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 15%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 55%

Truck Entry → Truck

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 38%
  • Advanced: 58%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 65%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains strong turtle base and resists hook insertion:

If opponent attempts to sit to butterfly guard or turn into you:

If opponent rolls away from pressure to escape hooks:

If opponent flattens to belly to defend hooks:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Establishing leg hooks without securing upper body control first

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent easily sits to butterfly guard or rolls through to reverse position, eliminating attacking opportunities
  • ✅ Correction: Always secure crossface, overhook, or harness grip before inserting hooks; upper body control prevents defensive movements

2. Using leg hooks as static positioning rather than active control mechanisms

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent maintains base and stalls position, or gradually extracts hooks through patient defensive work
  • ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust hook depth and angle to off-balance opponent; use hooks to lift and manipulate hips, not just maintain contact

3. Overcommitting weight forward onto opponent’s back without maintaining base

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent performs forward roll escape, throwing you over their head and reversing position
  • ✅ Correction: Distribute weight between chest pressure and leg control; maintain your own base to follow opponent’s movements without being thrown

4. Failing to anticipate opponent sitting to butterfly guard and losing position

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes butterfly hooks and sweeps or creates scramble, negating your attacking position
  • ✅ Correction: As opponent begins sitting motion, immediately transition to crab ride or back control, using their movement to establish dominant position

5. Inserting both hooks simultaneously without regard for opponent’s defensive reactions

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent counters the explosive entry with roll escapes or by posting and standing, creating scramble situations
  • ✅ Correction: Read opponent’s base strength; against strong turtle, establish hooks progressively while breaking down base incrementally

6. Maintaining Double Jump position for extended periods seeking perfect back-take setup

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent recovers defensive composure, extracts hooks, or referee stands up position for stalling
  • ✅ Correction: Use Double Jump as transitional attacking position; commit to back-take, truck entry, or submission within 5-10 seconds of establishing hooks

Training Drills for Attacks

Progressive Hook Insertion Drill

Partner maintains defensive turtle while you practice inserting first hook, establishing control, then adding second hook. Partner provides 50% resistance, gradually increasing to 75% as technique improves. Focus on maintaining upper body control throughout hook insertion sequence. Drill both progressive insertion (one hook at a time) and explosive double hook entry.

Duration: 5 minutes per side

Back-Take Flow Drill from Double Jump

Starting from established Double Jump position, practice transitioning to back control, crab ride, and truck positions based on partner’s defensive reactions. Partner cycles through sitting to guard, rolling away, and flattening defenses while you read and respond with appropriate transitions. Emphasize smooth flow between positions without stopping.

Duration: 8 minutes

Double Jump Positional Sparring

Start each round with you in Double Jump Top position with both hooks established. Partner’s goal is to escape to guard or standing within 2 minutes. Your goal is to advance to back control, truck, or crab ride. Reset after each successful advancement or escape. Compete 5 rounds to develop timing and transition recognition under resistance. Track success rate of transitions versus escapes.

Duration: 5 x 2-minute rounds

Optimal Submission Paths

Shortest path to submission

Double Jump Top → Turtle to Back Control → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

High-percentage truck path

Double Jump Top → Transition to Truck → Truck → Twister Finish

Crab ride control path

Double Jump Top → Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride → Turtle to Back Control → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Rolling attack sequence

Double Jump Top → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Armbar from Back

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner35%25%10%
Intermediate55%45%20%
Advanced70%65%35%

Average Time in Position: 8-15 seconds before transition to back control, truck, or escape

  • Turtle - Parent position - Double Jump is advanced variation of turtle top attacks
  • Back Control - Primary advancement target - most common transition destination
  • Crab Ride - Alternative control position - similar leg hook mechanics with different upper body control
  • Truck - Transition variation - advanced leg entanglement position accessible from Double Jump
  • Twister Control - Submission destination - accessible through truck transitions from Double Jump
  • Turtle to Back Control - Primary transition technique - main method of advancing to back control
  • Truck Entry - Alternative transition - counter-option when opponent defends back take
  • 10th Planet No-Gi Guard System - System context - Double Jump fits within Eddie Bravo’s leg-based control methodology
  • Twister System - System progression - Double Jump serves as entry point to truck-based submissions
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