Turtle Bottom

Turtle Bottom (also known as Turtle Position or Referee’s Position) is a defensive position where the bottom practitioner is on their 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. The turtle position serves as a critical transitional state between being passed and recovering guard, offering numerous defensive options, sweep opportunities, and even submission threats. The key to effective turtle play lies in maintaining a tight defensive structure while actively working to improve position rather than remaining static. Top-level competitors like Marcelo Garcia, Priit Mihkelson, and various 10th Planet practitioners have developed sophisticated turtle-based systems that turn this defensive position into an offensive platform. The position requires excellent awareness of back defense, understanding of weight distribution, and precise timing to execute rolls, stand-ups, and guard recoveries before the opponent can establish dominant control or take the back. Success in turtle bottom depends on maintaining constant motion, fighting grips aggressively, and recognizing the optimal moment to explode into escape sequences based on opponent’s weight commitment and positioning.

Position Definition

• Bottom practitioner positioned on hands and knees with weight distributed across four points of contact, creating a stable base with rounded back to protect against submissions while maintaining mobility for dynamic movement
• Head tucked defensively with chin to chest, elbows tight to ribs and knees to prevent underhook penetration and maintain structural integrity against back takes, creating a tight defensive shell
• Hips elevated off the mat with knees under hips and hands under shoulders, maintaining mobility while preventing opponent from flattening the position and establishing dominant control
• Top opponent positioned behind or to the side with access to the back, typically attempting to establish hooks, harness control, or force the bottom player flat to the mat for back control or submissions

Prerequisites

• Guard has been passed or is in process of being passed
• Ability to maintain rounded defensive posture with chin tucked
• Understanding of back defense principles and hook prevention
• Sufficient shoulder and hip mobility to execute rolls and movements
• Awareness of opponent’s weight distribution and attack vectors

Key Defensive 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

Available Escapes

Granby Roll → Closed Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Technical Standup → Standing Position

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Rolling to Guard → Half Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 35%
• Advanced: 50%

Sit Through to Guard → Butterfly Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Peterson Roll → Half Guard

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 15%
• Intermediate: 30%
• Advanced: 45%

Opponent Counters

• Turtle to Back Control → Back Control (Opponent Success: 65%)
• Front Headlock to Anaconda → Anaconda Control (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Front Headlock to Darce → D’arce Control (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Crucifix from Turtle → Crucifix (Opponent Success: 25%)
• Turtle Flatten to Side Control → Side Control (Opponent Success: 50%)

Counter-Attacks

• Elbow Escape to Guard → Closed Guard
  • Opponent attempts to flatten turtle by extending your far arm
• Sit Through Counter → Half Guard
  • Opponent commits weight forward attempting front headlock
• Stand Up in Base → Standing Position
  • Opponent’s weight is high on your back without underhooks established
• Reverse to Guard → Butterfly Guard
  • Opponent attempts to take back with poor hook placement

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent has seatbelt control but no hooks in:

• Execute Hand Fighting → Closed Guard (Probability: 50%)
• Execute Explosive Standup → Standing Position (Probability: 40%)

If opponent is attempting front headlock control:

• Execute Circle Away from Choking Arm → Closed Guard (Probability: 45%)
• Execute Sit Through to Half Guard → Half Guard (Probability: 50%)

If opponent’s weight is high and forward:

• Execute Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Peterson Roll → Half Guard (Probability: 40%)

If opponent has one hook in but no harness control:

• Execute Kick Back Hook Out → Scramble Position (Probability: 45%)
• Execute Roll Over Hook Side → Half Guard (Probability: 50%)

If opponent is low and heavy with underhooks:

• Execute Deep Half Escape → Deep Half Guard (Probability: 40%)
• Execute Technical Standup → Standing Position (Probability: 35%)

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Training Drills for Defense

Turtle Escape Gauntlet

Partner starts in turtle bottom while training partner attempts various attacks (back takes, chokes, rolls). Bottom player must successfully escape to guard or standing within 30 seconds. Rotate attacks every round to develop well-rounded defensive awareness and multiple escape routes.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes with 30-second rest

Granby Roll Repetitions

Practice granby rolls from turtle position repeatedly, focusing on explosive hip movement, shoulder roll mechanics, and landing in guard recovery position. Start slow to perfect mechanics, then increase speed and add resistance from partner attempting to follow and establish back control.

Duration: 3 sets of 10 repetitions each direction

Turtle to Guard Flow Drill

Starting from turtle, cycle through different guard recovery methods: granby roll to closed guard, sit-through to butterfly, technical standup, deep half entry. Partner provides graduated resistance, increasing pressure as bottom player’s technique improves. Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining defensive integrity.

Duration: 6 minutes continuous flow with partner rotation

Hand Fighting from Turtle

Partner attempts to establish harness control, underhooks, and dominant grips while bottom player actively fights hands, breaks grips, and maintains defensive frames. Emphasize keeping elbows tight while still being able to strip grips and prevent opponent’s controls from setting in.

Duration: 4 rounds of 90 seconds

Escape and Survival Paths

Shortest escape path to safety

Turtle Bottom → Granby Roll → Closed Guard → Triangle Choke → Won by Submission

Aggressive counter-attack path

Turtle Bottom → Peterson Roll → Half Guard → Half Guard Sweeps → Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

Standing escape to reset

Turtle Bottom → Technical Standup → Standing Position → Double leg takedown → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	20%	30%	5%
Intermediate	35%	45%	10%
Advanced	50%	60%	15%

Average Time in Position: 10-30 seconds before transition to another position

Related Positions and Techniques

• Back Control - Common transition target if turtle defense fails
• Closed Guard - Primary guard recovery goal from turtle bottom
• Deep Half Guard - Alternative recovery position via sit-through or roll
• Granby Roll - Primary escape technique from turtle bottom
• Technical Standup - Alternative escape route to standing position
• Front Headlock - Common attacking position opponent transitions to
• Anaconda Choke - Submission threat when turtle defense fails
• Defensive Posture - Fundamental concept for turtle bottom structure
• Base Maintenance - Critical principle for turtle stability
• Hip Escape Mechanics - Movement principle underlying turtle escapes