GB Technique : Finishing The Turtle
This week on Gracie Barra Blog we are looking at attacking and finishing when your opponent is in the Turtle position.
If you have ever rolled with a training partner who has come from a judo background, you likely found yourself trying to deal with their defensive turtle position.
An opponent who knows how to protect themselves in the Turtle is not going to leave any room for you to throw in your hooks and get the back mount. At seminars, it is a frequent question among blue belts.
Armed with some Turtle attacks, you can solve the puzzle of your opponent’s Turtle and turn the position into a powerful submission for you.
Let’s take a look at some finishes attacking your opponent’s Turtle as taught by some of the top Gracie Barra instructors.
1) Spin Around Choke / Estrangulamento Na Posição de 4 Apoios
Note how Prof. Liberi controls his opponent while setting up his collar grip. Once he has the grip he needs, he rotates using the collar to turn the opponent and get the finish.
2) Anaconda Choke from Head-to-Head Turtle / Finalização partindo dos 4 Apoios
Prof. Fabio Lima attacks from the head-to-head Turtle position – as opposed to your opponent’s side like as in the Clock choke position. Really common in no-gi especially.
3) Inverted Triangle against Turtle / Triângulo Invertido
This is a common attack in international judo where competitors often go to Turtle to avoid being pinned. Note how Prof. Carlos rolls his opponent in order to cinch the triangle with his legs.
4)Lapel Assisted Clock Choke / Finalização partindo dos 4 Apoios
If your opponent is protecting their own collars, it can be difficult to look for the Clock choke. However, your opponent can do little to prevent you from using your own lapel as the choking mechanism. Nice variation of the traditional Clock choke!
5) Spinning Step-over Choke
This is one for your personal hi light reel! I’ve trained with some guys who loved this choke and they got many taps using it against the Turtle.
What is YOUR favorite way to attack the Turtle in Jiu-Jitsu?
See also on Gracie Barra : Attacking From The Mount
Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Asia