Turtle Position Guide
☰Contents
BJJ turtle position guide — defensive turtle mechanics, framing, preventing back takes, and using turtle offensively.
The turtle position (all-fours) is a defensive posture used to protect against guard passes and takedowns. While vulnerable from the top, a well-structured turtle can be a springboard to offensive positions.
Defensive Turtle Mechanics
Head Position
Drive your forehead into the mat or keep your chin tucked. This protects your neck from choke attacks and prevents them from getting leverage on your head for the back take.
Elbow-Knee Connection
Keep elbows tight to your sides and knees under your hips. This compact position makes it harder for them to insert hooks or get under your hips for a roll.
Framing Against Seat Belt
When they reach around for seat belt, drive your near elbow down to trap their arm at your hip level. This prevents the full seat belt from being established.
Preventing the Back Take
Hip Alignment
Keep your hips directly away from them — never give them a hip to roll you over. If they're on your right side, angle your hips left.
Fighting the Top Arm
The top arm of their seat belt is the choke arm. Fight it constantly — use both hands if needed to strip it from under your armpit.
Offensive Uses of Turtle
- Granby roll — roll away to recover guard
- Peterson roll — roll into them for takedown
- Sitting out — expose their leg for single leg
- Stand up — technical standup from turtle