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%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains strong turtle base and resists hook insertion:
- Execute Crossface Pass → Side Control (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Front Headlock to Anaconda → Anaconda Control (Probability: 35%)
- Execute Front Headlock to Back → Back Control (Probability: 40%)
If opponent attempts to sit to butterfly guard or turn into you:
- Execute Crab Ride to Back → Crab Ride (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Turtle to Back Control → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent rolls away from pressure to escape hooks:
- Execute Transition to Truck → Truck (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Truck Entry → Truck (Probability: 60%)
If opponent flattens to belly to defend hooks:
- Execute Turtle to Back Control → Back Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 70%)
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 Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 35% | 25% | 10% |
| Intermediate | 55% | 45% | 20% |
| Advanced | 70% | 65% | 35% |
Average Time in Position: 8-15 seconds before transition to back control, truck, or escape
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The Double Jump position represents a sophisticated understanding of control hierarchy in ground fighting. The bilateral hook insertion creates what I term ‘base negation through hip control’ - by eliminating the opponent’s ability to post their legs effectively, you remove their primary defensive tool from turtle. The critical mechanical insight is that leg hooks function not merely as points of contact, but as leverage systems that allow inferior upper body position to generate superior control outcomes. Notice how the Double Jump position inverts traditional turtle attack methodology: rather than seeking upper body dominance first, you establish lower body control that forces upper body compliance. This is biomechanically efficient because the opponent’s defensive energy must be divided between preventing back exposure and maintaining base, creating the classical dilemma structure. The position’s transitional nature is not a weakness but a feature - it exists as a forcing mechanism that compels opponent reactions, each of which opens specific attacking pathways. The key technical detail that separates competent from expert execution is hook depth and angle variation: your hooks must actively manipulate the opponent’s hip positioning, not simply occupy space inside their legs.
Gordon Ryan
Double Jump is one of those positions that looks wild but actually gives you massive control if you hit it right. I use this constantly in competition when guys turtle up after I pass their guard - it’s way higher percentage than trying to break them down with traditional turtle attacks. The key is you have to be explosive with the entry but then immediately calm and controlled once you get both hooks in. What makes it work at the highest level is that it bypasses all the hand fighting and crossface battles that elite guys are prepared for from turtle. They’re ready to defend their neck and fight grips, but most people haven’t spent enough time defending leg-based turtle attacks, so you catch them by surprise. My favorite thing about Double Jump is how it forces reactions - the opponent has to choose between defending the back take or defending the truck entry, and both choices lead to dominant positions for you. In competition, I’m looking to establish this within 3-5 seconds of them hitting turtle, then immediately transitioning to either crab ride or full back control depending on how they react. The position has a short shelf life though - you can’t hang out here, you have to capitalize immediately or they’ll start defending intelligently.
Eddie Bravo
Double Jump is pure 10th Planet methodology, man - we’re using leg entanglements to create chaos and force the opponent into bad positions. This is what happens when you stop thinking about jiu-jitsu in terms of traditional gi-based controls and start asking ‘how can I use my whole body as a weapon?’ The beauty of Double Jump is it’s basically saying ‘forget your turtle defense’ because all those traditional turtle escapes and defensive postures don’t work when someone has bilateral hooks controlling your hips. What I love teaching about this position is how it opens up the entire truck system and twister game. You’re not just attacking for back control like traditional grappling - you’re creating multiple submission threats through the truck, the twister, calf slicers, and then yeah, you can still take the back if you want. The position is all about creating uncertainty in the opponent’s mind. They don’t know if you’re going to roll them into truck, drive them forward into crab ride, or just climb to back control. That mental pressure, combined with the physical control of the hooks, breaks people down faster than any amount of crossface pressure. When you train Double Jump, focus on the flow between positions rather than holding any one spot - it’s a transition position that opens doors to everywhere you want to go.