Turtle Control
Turtle Control refers to the position and strategies used to dominate an opponent who is in Turtle Guard. In Turtle Guard, the opponent is on their knees with their arms and legs tucked, defending against attacks or transitions. The goal of Turtle Control is to maintain pressure, prevent their escapes, and transition into dominant positions or submissions.
Key Concepts
Pressure and Weight Distribution
- Apply constant pressure on the opponent's back to keep them pinned and prevent movement. Use your chest, hips, or knees to control their posture and breathing.
Angles and Connections
- Work from the sides or corners of the turtle rather than directly behind, creating angles that disrupt their balance and expose vulnerabilities. Maintain tight connections to their body.
- Secure effective grips (e.g., lapel, belt, or wrist control) to destabilize their base and set up transitions or attacks.
- Maintain a strong base to avoid getting rolled or countered while staying mobile enough to adapt to their defenses.
Objectives of Turtle Control
Maintain Control
- Use your chest or hips to pin their back and limit their movement.
- Control their hips and shoulders to block escapes.
Transition to Dominant Positions
- Transition to Back Control by inserting hooks or seatbelt control.
- Move into Side Control or North South by breaking their posture.
- Set up Technical Mount by stepping around their defenses.
Set Up Submissions
- Secure a Rear Naked Choke, Darce Choke, or Anaconda by isolating their neck.
- Use a Kimura or Armbar if you can isolate an arm during grip fighting.
- Exploit openings for lapel chokes such as the Bow and Arrow or Cross Collar Choke.
Techniques for Turtle Control
Sprawl and Pressure
- Sprawl your hips onto their back to flatten them and limit their mobility.
- Use your chest to apply downward pressure on their shoulders.
Grip and Angle
- Secure a seatbelt grip to prepare for Back Control.
- Grip the belt, lapel, or arm to immobilize their base.
Breaking the Turtle Guard
- Use a spiral ride or other movements to tip them over and open their guard.
- Drive your knee into the space between their elbow and knee to create openings.
Hooks and Transitions
- Insert hooks for Back Control while maintaining upper-body pressure.
- Step around to Side Control or Technical Mount.
Common Mistakes
Overcommitting
- Leaning too far forward can lead to being rolled or countered.
Neglecting Angles
- Staying directly behind the opponent limits your control and attack options.
Not Controlling Grips
- Without securing grips, the opponent can escape or counter more easily.
Insufficient Pressure
- Failing to maintain pressure allows them to recover posture or escape.
Turtle Control is a fundamental skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing the principles of Pressure, Weight Distribution, and Connections to maintain dominance and exploit the opponent’s defensive posture.
Advancing Turtle Control
Transitions from Turtle Control
- Transition to Back Control by inserting hooks and securing a seatbelt grip.
- Transition to Side Control by circling to the side and flattening the opponent.
- Transition to North South by stepping over and controlling their hips.
- Move to Technical Mount by isolating their arm and stepping around their defenses.
Submissions from Turtle Control
- Rear Naked Choke by securing the neck after taking the back.
- Bow and Arrow choke by controlling the lapel and creating leverage.
- Darce Choke or Anaconda by threading your arm through their neck and arm.
- Kimura by isolating an arm during grip fighting.
- Cross Collar Choke using the lapel to create pressure on the neck.
Takedowns from Turtle Control
- Snap-Down to Front Headlock to force them to the mat and open submission options.
- Roll them forward into a Back Control position by destabilizing their base.
- Execute a spiral ride to flatten their guard and transition to dominant control.
- Use a trip to collapse their base and gain top control.
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