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Turtle Attacks Guide

Category: Attacks · BJJ Wiki
Purple Belt Difficulty: ★★★★☆ — Advanced

When your opponent turtles, it creates specific attack opportunities. The key is establishing control before attempting submissions — rushing to the back without proper control leads to escapes.

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Contents

    Back Take from Turtle

    1

    Establishing Seat Belt

    From the side of turtle, reach your near arm under their far armpit (underhook) and your far arm over their shoulder (overhook). Clasp your hands in front of their chest.

    2

    Hook Insertion

    Roll them to their side by pulling the seat belt. As they roll, insert your bottom hook first, then top hook. Secure back position with both hooks in.

    Clock Choke

    3

    Setup

    From turtle, reach around to grab their near collar with your near hand (thumb in). Pin their head to the mat with your other hand or push your chest into their head.

    4

    Finish

    Walk your legs in a clock-like arc around their head while maintaining collar pressure. The combination of collar and body pressure creates the choke without needing a figure-4.

    Bow and Arrow from Turtle

    5

    Transition

    After taking the back from turtle, when they defend by reaching across, grab their far collar with your top arm. Control their pants/leg with your lower arm. Extend your body to finish.

    Body Fold Takedown

    From standing over turtle: reach around their waist, clasp your hands on their far hip. Lift and fold them forward onto their back. Effective in no-gi and wrestling.

    Pro Tip: The clock choke is highly underrated at all levels. Many people at blue-purple belt don't recognize it coming — establish the collar grip while still at the side, then walk your legs around. They often tap before realizing what's happening.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to learn Turtle Attacks Guide?

    Most practitioners develop functional competency with Turtle Attacks Guide within 3–6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery — the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents — typically takes 1–2 years.

    Is Turtle Attacks Guide effective for beginners?

    Yes. Turtle Attacks Guide is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.

    How often should I drill Turtle Attacks Guide?

    3–5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time — consistency matters more than volume.

    What positions connect to Turtle Attacks Guide?

    BJJ is a linked system. Turtle Attacks Guide flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.

    Related Techniques

    Attacking from Turtle Position - Advanced Sys... Attacking from Turtle Position: Complete Syst... Turtle Attack System: Back Takes and Reversal... 🐢 BJJ Turtle Position Attacks Turtle Survival Guide Turtle System Overview: Position Mechanics an...
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    More Questions

    How do I prevent my opponent from turning into me when I attack their turtle?

    Maintain strong pressure and control their hips. Use your chest to block their shoulder and prevent them from creating space to turn. A common mistake is to let them bridge or shrimp away.

    What are the most common submissions from the turtle position?

    The most common submissions include the armbar (especially the straight armbar from the side), the kimura, and the rear-naked choke if you can secure a back take. Focus on isolating one limb or controlling their neck.

    My opponent turtles up really tight, how do I open them up?

    You need to break their posture and create an opening. Try using your knee to push into their hip or shoulder to create a gap. Once you have a slight opening, you can start to attack their limbs or transition to a better position.

    Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

    Q: When I try to attack the turtle position in BJJ, my opponent just tucks their head and makes it impossible to get any submissions, what am I doing wrong biomechanically?

    You're likely failing to control their head and shoulder frame. Ensure your chest is glued to their back, using your shoulder to drive into their neck and your chin to pin their head down, preventing them from tucking it effectively.

    Q: How can I effectively transition from a turtle attack to a submission like a rear-naked choke, even if my opponent is significantly larger than me?

    Leverage your body weight and hip position to secure the choke. Drive your hips forward and into their side, using your shoulder to create space to slide your choking arm under their chin, while simultaneously using your other arm to control their far shoulder to prevent them from turning out.

    Q: My arms get tired very quickly when trying to maintain control and attack the turtle position, what common biomechanical mistakes lead to this fatigue?

    You're probably relying too much on bicep and forearm strength. Instead, engage your core and use your entire body to apply pressure. Drive your shoulder into their neck and use your hips to maintain connection, allowing your larger muscle groups to do the work and conserve your arm endurance.

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