Turtle Top

Turtle Top is an offensive position where the practitioner attacks an opponent who is on their hands and knees with their back exposed. This position offers numerous high-percentage attacking opportunities including back takes, front headlock submissions, crucifix entries, and positional advancements. The turtle top position requires excellent timing, grip control, and understanding of weight distribution to successfully transition before the opponent can escape to guard or standing. Success from turtle top depends on establishing dominant grips quickly, preventing opponent movement through strategic weight placement, and recognizing the optimal attack based on opponent’s defensive reactions. The position is worth zero points but offers pathways to 4-point back control or direct submission finishes. Understanding proper attack sequencing, maintaining offensive pressure, and adapting to opponent’s escape attempts is essential for maximizing success from turtle top position.

Position Definition

• Top practitioner positioned behind or to the side of opponent who is on hands and knees, with access to back, hips, and upper body for attacking grips and control establishment
• Bottom opponent maintaining defensive turtle posture with rounded back, tucked chin, and tight elbows, attempting to prevent control establishment and create escape opportunities
• Top practitioner working to establish harness control, underhooks, or front headlock positioning while managing opponent’s movement and preventing guard recovery or standup attempts

Prerequisites

• Opponent has assumed turtle position after guard pass or scramble
• Ability to establish and maintain dominant grips on opponent
• Understanding of back take mechanics and hook insertion timing
• Knowledge of front headlock submission entries and controls
• Awareness of opponent’s escape attempts and counter-timing

Key Offensive 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

Available Attacks

Turtle to Back Control → Back Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 40%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 70%

Front Headlock to Anaconda → Anaconda Control

Success Rates:

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

Front Headlock to Darce → D’arce Control

Success Rates:

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

Crucifix from Turtle → Crucifix

Success Rates:

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

Turtle Flatten to Side Control → Side Control

Success Rates:

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

Turtle to Truck Entry → Truck

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 10%
• Intermediate: 25%
• Advanced: 40%

Front Headlock to Guillotine → Guillotine Control

Success Rates:

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

Kimura from Turtle → Kimura Control

Success Rates:

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

Opponent Escapes

• Granby Roll Escape → Closed Guard (Opponent Success: 45%)
• Technical Standup → Standing Position (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Sit Through to Guard → Butterfly Guard (Opponent Success: 50%)
• Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Forward Roll Escape → Half Guard (Opponent Success: 40%)

Escape Counters

• Follow Granby Roll → Back Control
  • Opponent attempts granby roll without proper timing
• Flatten and Take Back → Back Control
  • Opponent extends arm for posting during escape
• Front Headlock Counter → Front Headlock
  • Opponent lifts head during standup attempt
• Crucifix Entry → Crucifix
  • Opponent exposes arm reaching for underhook defense

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains tight defensive structure with elbows to knees:

• Execute Establish Seatbelt Control → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Circle to Front Headlock → Front Headlock (Probability: 55%)

If opponent begins forward roll or granby attempt:

• Execute Follow Roll to Back → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Flatten to Side Control → Side Control (Probability: 55%)

If opponent lifts head or exposes neck:

• Execute Front Headlock Attack → Front Headlock (Probability: 70%)
• Execute Guillotine Setup → Guillotine Control (Probability: 60%)

If opponent extends arm for posting or defense:

• Execute Crucifix Entry → Crucifix (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Kimura Attack → Kimura Control (Probability: 50%)

If opponent attempts to stand up explosively:

• Execute Drag to Mat and Take Back → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Front Headlock Control → Front Headlock (Probability: 65%)

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Training Drills for Attacks

Turtle Attack Flow Drill

Partner assumes turtle position while top player flows through various attack options: back take, anaconda, darce, crucifix, flatten to side control. Partner provides graduated resistance. Focus on smooth transitions between attacks based on defensive reactions and maintaining pressure throughout.

Duration: 5 minutes continuous flow with partner rotation

Back Take Positional Sparring

Start from turtle top position. Top player works to establish back control with both hooks and harness control. Bottom player works to prevent back take and escape. Reset after successful back take or escape. Focus on hook insertion timing and maintaining control during opponent’s movements.

Duration: 5 rounds of 3 minutes

Front Headlock Submissions from Turtle

Partner in turtle while you establish front headlock position. Drill anaconda and darce entries repeatedly, focusing on grip placement, head positioning, and submission mechanics. Partner provides increasing resistance as technique improves. Alternate sides and submission types.

Duration: 4 rounds of 2 minutes per submission type

Reaction-Based Attack Drill

Partner in turtle defends with various escape attempts (granby, standup, sit-through). Top player must recognize escape type and counter appropriately: follow granby to back, flatten standup to front headlock, stuff sit-through to crucifix. Develop recognition speed and counter-timing.

Duration: 6 minutes with role rotation

Optimal Submission Paths

Direct back take to finish

Turtle Top → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Front headlock submission chain

Turtle Top → Front Headlock → Anaconda Choke → Won by Submission

Crucifix to back control path

Turtle Top → Crucifix → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	50%	45%	20%
Intermediate	65%	60%	35%
Advanced	80%	75%	50%

Average Time in Position: 15-45 seconds before transition to dominant position

Related Positions and Techniques

• Back Control - Primary attacking target from turtle top
• Front Headlock - Alternative attacking position from turtle top
• Crucifix - Advanced attacking position accessible from turtle
• Anaconda Choke - Direct submission option from turtle top
• Darce Choke - Alternative front headlock submission
• Guillotine Choke - Submission option when opponent lifts head
• Kimura from Turtle - Arm attack when opponent extends limb
• Truck - Advanced back attack variation from turtle
• Side Control - Alternative positional advancement from turtle
• Pressure Application - Fundamental concept for turtle top control