The Turtle to Back Take from the attacker’s perspective requires a systematic approach to dismantling the opponent’s defensive shell. The transition follows a strict hierarchy: establish chest-to-back connection, secure seatbelt grip, control the near hip, insert bottom hook, then complete with the top hook. Each layer of control must be secured before advancing to the next. Rushing the sequence is the most common reason for failure at every level.
The attacker must read the defender’s reactions in real time and adjust between direct hook insertion, chair sit entries, crab ride transitions, and crucifix threats based on what the defender gives. The ability to chain between these options transforms the back take from a single technique into a complete attacking system. Against high-level turtle defense, the attacker who can fluidly transition between these methods will eventually find the opening, while the attacker committed to a single approach will stall against disciplined defenders.
From Position: Turtle (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Turtle to Back Take?
- Control the hips first to prevent opponent’s escape to guard or standing before working upper body
- Establish chest-to-back connection before inserting any hooks to maintain structural control
- Insert bottom hook first as your anchor point while maintaining seatbelt pressure
- Use seatbelt grip to break opponent’s defensive posture and create submission threats that divide their attention
- Transition fluidly between back take variations based on opponent’s defensive reactions rather than forcing one path
- Maintain constant forward pressure to flatten opponent and prevent them from rebuilding their base
- Protect against sit-through escapes by blocking the near hip with your leg throughout the sequence
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Turtle to Back Take?
- Opponent in turtle position with hands and knees on mat
- Your chest positioned over opponent’s back or to their side with weight driving downward
- At least one controlling grip established on collar, belt, wrist, or body lock around torso
- Hip control established through leg positioning to prevent opponent from standing or recovering guard
- Weight distributed to prevent opponent’s forward roll escape while maintaining your own mobility
- Clear awareness of opponent’s elbow position and defensive hand placement
Execution Steps
How do you execute Turtle to Back Take step by step?
- Establish chest pressure: Position your chest directly on opponent’s upper back, driving weight downward to flatten their posture. Keep your hips heavy and base wide to prevent them from standing or turning into you. Your weight should make it difficult for them to maintain the turtle structure. Angle your pressure at approximately 45 degrees forward and down to collapse their defensive posture.
- Secure seatbelt grip: Thread your choking-side arm under their near armpit and across their chest, while your other arm goes over their far shoulder. Lock your hands together in a seatbelt configuration with your choking hand gripping your own wrist or bicep. This grip prevents their rotation, creates immediate choke threats that occupy their defensive attention, and provides the leverage needed to manipulate their upper body during hook insertion.
- Control the near hip: Use your leg closest to their hips to hook over their near hip, blocking their ability to sit back to guard. Your knee should be tight to their body, and your foot should hook inside their thigh. This is the single most critical step for preventing their primary escape route. Without this hip block, even perfect seatbelt control cannot prevent them from simply sitting back through your legs into guard.
- Insert bottom hook: Slide your bottom leg (the leg on the mat side) underneath their body, threading your foot between their inner thigh and the mat. Your shin should be perpendicular to their body with your heel pulling toward their centerline. This hook is your anchor point for the entire position and provides the base stability that makes the top hook insertion safe. Drive your heel inward to maximize control.
- Clear the top leg: Use your free leg to step over their back and clear their defensive hand or elbow if necessary. If they are defending the second hook with their elbow pressed tight to their hip, use your seatbelt grip to lift their upper body slightly, creating space between their elbow and hip for your top hook to slide through. This lifting motion is a critical mechanical detail that separates successful second-hook insertion from stalling against strong defense.
- Insert top hook and establish full back control: Thread your top leg over their hip and insert your second hook, bringing both heels toward their centerline. Pull with both hooks while maintaining the seatbelt grip. Adjust your hips underneath theirs and lean back slightly to establish full back control. Both hooks should have active heel pressure pulling inward, and your chest should remain glued to their back throughout the final settling phase.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Back Control | 68% |
| Failure | Turtle | 20% |
| Counter | Turtle | 12% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Turtle to Back Take?
- Opponent sits through to face you and recover guard (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain heavy chest pressure and control the far hip with your leg. If they begin sitting through, follow their rotation while maintaining seatbelt grip and transition to modified mount or front headlock position. The key is recognizing the hip shift early and driving your weight into their far shoulder to stall the rotation. → Leads to Turtle
- Opponent stands up explosively to escape (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Keep your chest connection and seatbelt grip while following them up to standing. Transition to standing rear clinch position, then use your body weight hanging from the seatbelt grip to drag them back down while simultaneously working to insert or maintain your hooks throughout the standing phase. → Leads to Turtle
- Opponent rolls forward to escape hooks (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their roll while maintaining upper body control with seatbelt. Allow the roll but keep chest-to-back connection, then reestablish hooks as they complete the rotation. If they expose an arm during the roll, transition to crucifix position for an even more dominant control. → Leads to Back Control
- Opponent defends hooks with strong elbow frames pressed to hips (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use seatbelt grip to lift their upper body and create space between their elbows and hips for hook insertion. Alternatively, transition to crab ride with one hook in, or threaten the crucifix to force them to move their defensive arms, opening the path for your hooks. → Leads to Turtle
- Opponent hand-fights aggressively to strip seatbelt grip (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Adjust your seatbelt configuration to a high elbow position or switch to double underhooks. If hooks are already inserted, transition to body triangle which is less dependent on upper body grips. Use their grip-fighting energy against them by threatening submissions that force them to abandon the hand fight. → Leads to Back Control
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Turtle to Back Take?
The turtle to back take is a relatively safe transition with minimal injury risk when practiced correctly. Primary safety concerns involve protecting both practitioners’ knees during drilling, as repeated hook insertion pressure can cause discomfort on the inner thigh and knee ligaments. The bottom practitioner should avoid posting hands too far from their body, which can result in hyperextended elbows if the top person drives forward aggressively. When practicing at full resistance, both partners should be aware of potential neck strain from aggressive seatbelt grip fighting and sudden rotational movements. The top person should never drive full body weight onto opponent’s neck or head region. Clear communication about tap signals is critical when transitioning to submissions from back control, especially during choke defense training.