BJJ Graph

Turtle

Dec 09, 20257 min read

Turtle position is a transitional defensive posture in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the practitioner is on hands and knees with their back exposed to the opponent. While traditionally viewed as a weak position in wrestling due to back exposure, modern BJJ has transformed the turtle into a dynamic guard recovery platform and attacking position. The turtle serves as a critical juncture between being passed and recovering guard, offering numerous defensive options, sweep opportunities, and even submission threats from both perspectives. From the bottom, the key lies in maintaining a tight defensive structure while actively working to improve position rather than remaining static. From the top, the position offers multiple attacking pathways including back takes, front headlock submissions, and crucifix entries. Top-level competitors like Marcelo Garcia, Priit Mihkelson, and various 10th Planet practitioners have developed sophisticated turtle-based systems that demonstrate the position’s versatility. The position requires excellent awareness of back defense, understanding of weight distribution, and precise timing to execute rolls, stand-ups, and guard recoveries or attacks depending on which perspective you occupy. Success in turtle position from either angle demands constant movement, grip fighting excellence, and the ability to read opponent’s weight distribution and intentions in real-time.

Key Principles

  • Turtle is never a resting position - always transitional and requires immediate action

  • Bottom must escape to guard or stand immediately while top must secure control quickly

  • Weight distribution and base structure determine available options for both players

  • Grip fighting determines who controls the pace and direction of exchanges

  • Understanding weight commitment allows both players to time their techniques effectively

  • Constant motion disrupts opponent’s attacks and creates opportunities for both perspectives

  • Neck protection for bottom and neck attack for top are highest priorities

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensive with offensive optionsOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighLow to Medium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeShortShort to Medium

Key Difference: Defensive posture trading back exposure

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Keep elbows tight to knees to prevent underhook penetration and maintain defensive frames

  • Maintain constant motion and weight shifting to prevent opponent from settling their weight

  • Protect the neck by keeping chin tucked and using shoulder pressure against choking attempts

  • Use circular movement and directional changes to create scrambles and recovery opportunities

  • Never remain static - continuously work toward guard recovery, stand-up, or reversal positions

  • Monitor opponent’s weight distribution to time explosive movements during transitions

  • Create frames with forearms against opponent’s hips and chest to manage distance and pressure

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Remaining static in turtle without attempting movement or improvement

    • Consequence: Allows opponent time to establish back control, sink hooks, or secure dominant grips leading to easy back takes or submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant motion through weight shifts, directional changes, and active escape attempts - never give opponent time to settle their position

  • ❌ Allowing elbows to flare away from knees creating underhook opportunities

    • Consequence: Opponent easily secures underhooks leading to easy flattening, back takes, or transition to dominant positions like crucifix
    • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows glued to knees throughout all movements, creating a tight defensive shell that prevents penetration of opponent’s arms

  • ❌ Lifting head up and exposing neck to choking attacks

    • Consequence: Vulnerable to guillotines, anacondas, darces, and other front headlock submissions with easy access to the neck
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain chin tucked to chest with rounded upper back, using shoulder pressure against opponent’s chest to protect the neck at all times

  • ❌ Attempting to stand up without proper base or timing

    • Consequence: Easy for opponent to pull back down, establish back control mid-standup, or use momentum against you to secure dominant position
    • ✅ Correction: Only attempt technical standup when opponent’s weight is high, ensure strong posting base, and explode through the movement with proper timing

  • ❌ Rolling in predictable patterns or directions

    • Consequence: Opponent anticipates the movement and follows easily, often ending up in worse position like mounted or back control fully established
    • ✅ Correction: Use feints, change directions mid-roll, and mix timing of movements to create unpredictability and genuine escape opportunities

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to control both your hips and shoulders simultaneously

    • Consequence: Complete loss of mobility and structural integrity, leading to easy flattening, back takes, or transition to submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Fight to maintain separation between hip and shoulder control, using frames and movement to prevent simultaneous control of both areas

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Establish dominant grips immediately before opponent can create movement

  • Use chest and shoulder pressure to flatten opponent and limit mobility

  • Insert hooks systematically while maintaining upper body control

  • Transition between attacks fluidly based on opponent’s defensive reactions

  • Control opponent’s hip movement to prevent guard recovery

  • Maintain heavy chest pressure to disrupt opponent’s base structure

  • Recognize weight distribution changes that signal escape attempts

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Committing too much weight forward allowing opponent to sit through

    • Consequence: Opponent easily recovers guard position or creates scramble situation
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain balanced weight distribution with chest pressure on opponent’s back while keeping hips mobile

  • ❌ Attempting back take without securing upper body control first

    • Consequence: Opponent can defend hooks easily and escape to guard or standing
    • ✅ Correction: Establish seatbelt or harness control before inserting first hook, control shoulders and head position

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to create space and movement

    • Consequence: Opponent gains momentum for escape sequences and guard recovery
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant heavy pressure with chest and shoulders, minimize space between bodies

  • ❌ Focusing on single attack without recognizing defensive reactions

    • Consequence: Opponent defends successfully and escapes while you remain committed to failed technique
    • ✅ Correction: Flow between multiple attacks based on opponent’s reactions - if back take is defended, transition to front headlock or crucifix

  • ❌ Losing grip control during transitions

    • Consequence: Creates windows for opponent to escape or recover guard position
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain at least one dominant grip at all times during transitions, never release all controls simultaneously

  • ❌ Being too high on opponent’s back without establishing hooks

    • Consequence: Opponent stands up easily or performs technical standup
    • ✅ Correction: Stay connected with hips to opponent’s hips, insert bottom hook first before climbing higher

  • Back Control - Primary attacking target from turtle top perspective

  • Front Headlock - Common attacking position when opponent turtles

  • Closed Guard - Primary recovery target from turtle bottom

  • Half Guard - Alternative guard recovery option from turtle

  • Crucifix - Advanced attacking position from turtle top

  • Standing Position - Escape target via technical standup from turtle bottom

  • Truck - Advanced back attack variation accessible from turtle

  • Anaconda Control - Front headlock submission option from turtle top

  • D’arce Control - Alternative front headlock attack from turtle top

  • Deep Half Guard - Recovery option via sit-through from turtle bottom