Turtle (top)

They are on hands and knees. Chest on their back, hips heavy, and look for hooks or a crucifix.

Back & frontFundamental
Lesson video · 1 of 13

Turtle Back Take to Rear Naked Choke

Report a problemMMA Leech · on YouTube
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Essentials

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You’re on top of someone in turtle, on their knees and elbows. They’re defending well but their back is exposed: work for the back, side control or a front headlock.

Your goals
  • Get chest-to-back connection
  • Insert a hook or seatbelt
  • Take the back or break them down
What they want
  • Sit out or roll
  • Recover guard
Key principles
  • Stay on their back, not their side
  • Break them down before attacking
Common mistakes
  • Staying too high on their back
  • Giving them space to roll

Techniques to learn

Each one opens its own page and video.

Passes & back takes
Back take from turtleBack take · Fundamental
Submissions
Rear naked choke (Hadaka Jime)Choke · FundamentalD'Arce chokeChoke · IntermediateAnaconda chokeChoke · IntermediateBow and arrow chokeChoke · IntermediateClock chokeChoke · IntermediatePeruvian necktieChoke · AdvancedTarikoplataShoulder lock · AdvancedLoop chokeChoke · IntermediateSliding collar choke (Okuri Eri Jime)Choke · FundamentalJapanese necktieChoke · Intermediate

Where it leads

Other side
Turtle (bottom)
Moves from here
Back controlCrucifixFront headlockSide control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Crab rideTruck
Escapes
Escape the bow and arrow choke
In courses
Foundations VI: Standing, front headlock & backBack attack set
Seminars

If this happens…

  1. they sit outFollow and take the back
  2. they try to rollFollow over into side control

Seminars

All seminars →

Longer seminars, classes and masterclasses that teach this. Free on YouTube.

MasterclassTopSubmissions

The Peruvian Necktie System

Donnie Baltazar

Attacking a turtled opponent with the necktie

Donnie Baltazar's complete free course on the Peruvian necktie for control and submissions.

YouTube ↗
Class recordingTopBack

The Rear Triangle - A Triangle for everyone

Rob Cole

Rear triangle entries and finishes from turtle

Rob Cole teaches how to secure and finish the rear triangle, starting from side control and turtle, at a BJJ Globetrotters camp class.

YouTube ↗
Advanced detailsTransitions, threats, reactions, troubleshooting and a sparring drill

1. Overview

They are on hands and knees. Chest on their back, hips heavy, and look for hooks or a crucifix.

Key controls

  • Chest on their back, weight forward
  • Control the near arm
  • Hips and knees behind them

In this position

6 transitions · 0 sweeps · 10 submissions · 3 reactions · 2 troubleshooting fixes · 1 sparring exercise · 3 techniques

Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes

Finish this lesson

0% of this lesson0/13 videos completed · 0/3 techniques practiced
Test yourselfTurtle (top) lesson quiz5 questions · pass with 4