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%
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%)
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
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The turtle top position represents one of the most fertile attacking platforms in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when approached systematically. The fundamental principle governing successful turtle attacks is the establishment of control before attempting positional advancement or submission. The most common error I observe is practitioners rushing to insert hooks for back control without first securing dominant grips on the upper body. The proper attacking sequence begins with establishing chest pressure to flatten the opponent’s defensive structure, followed by harness or seatbelt control, and only then progressing to hook insertion. The timing of these progressions must be synchronized with the opponent’s weight shifts and defensive reactions. When the opponent’s weight moves forward to defend against back takes, the front headlock becomes available; when they sit back to prevent flattening, crucifix entries emerge. The key mechanical insight is that turtle attacks succeed through systematic control accumulation rather than explosive single techniques. Training should emphasize flowing between multiple attack options based on defensive reactions rather than forcing single techniques against proper defense.
Gordon Ryan
Turtle top is where I score a huge percentage of my back takes in competition because most people don’t defend it properly and it’s a position where you can really impose your will. The key is not giving them any time to think or create movement - the moment they hit turtle, I’m already working my grips and setting up my attack. I prefer the direct back take route because it scores 4 points and sets up my highest percentage submissions, but you have to be ready to flow to front headlock if they defend the back take well. The biggest thing that separates high-level turtle attacks from lower levels is grip fighting - if you can’t establish and maintain dominant grips quickly, they’ll escape every time. I drill the transition from turtle to back control obsessively because that’s where matches get won. The anaconda and darce are great submissions but they require specific defensive mistakes, whereas the back take is available against pretty much any turtle defense if you execute properly. In no-gi especially, you need to be heavy with your chest pressure and never let them create separation.
Eddie Bravo
Turtle top is one of my favorite positions to teach because it opens up so many of the 10th Planet signature moves - truck entries, twisters, electric chair setups. Most traditional BJJ schools just teach the basic back take from turtle, but we see it as a gateway to our entire back attack system. When someone turtles, I’m immediately looking for the truck entry by controlling the far leg and near arm, which sets up the whole twister series. The beauty of attacking turtle in the 10th Planet system is that everything connects - if the truck doesn’t work, you flow to the crucifix; if that’s defended, you take the back; if they defend the back, you hit the anaconda or darce. It’s all about having layers and not getting stuck on one technique. The key is staying mobile and ready to follow their movement - don’t be heavy and static like traditional top pressure, be more like a predator tracking prey. Also, the crab ride position from turtle is criminally underutilized - it gives you so much control while keeping all your attacking options open.