Recovering from Turtle / Set-ups from Turtle

**Prone** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 6:03am

Hey guys,

I have found myself in Turtle position more often than I liked lately. And I was wondering how to recover from it. Now to make it easier to answer: I've watched a lot of videos on youtube but my problem is that this needs to work against strong white belts. If I'm flowing with a purple or someone more experienced, it usually is not a problem (I will get submitted in a different position then).

When I am in Turtle, people start pulling and pushing in a way that makes it impossible to just rotate.

Sorry if that is a noobish question.

Cheers,
Phil

**downtime** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 10:23am

I used to have the same issue. I started getting better with my recovery after my instructor showed that I could go for turtle when an opponent in competion was going to pass my guard. I'd roll to turtle to prevent the points for the pass. Obviuosly though my turtle defense/escapes had to improve to employ this tactic. Not sure if you've seen these two videos but maybe they'll help. I find I can hit the wrestler sit out more frequently against higher level opponents. For whatever reason it seems more experienced players will seat belt grip helping to prevent the other escapes (or they're lookig to set up chokes maybe.) but allowing you the sit out one though. (obviously not all the time) These work well for me and I am not a big guy.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 10:31am

Originally Posted by Prone

Hey guys,

I have found myself in Turtle position more often than I liked lately. And I was wondering how to recover from it. Now to make it easier to answer: I've watched a lot of videos on youtube but my problem is that this needs to work against strong white belts. If I'm flowing with a purple or someone more experienced, it usually is not a problem (I will get submitted in a different position then).

When I am in Turtle, people start pulling and pushing in a way that makes it impossible to just rotate.

Sorry if that is a noobish question.

Cheers,
Phil

Presumably you're already doing the arm trap and roll?

And sit out?

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 11:01am

This also shows two of the direct armlock attacks from the turtle as variations of the sit out and trap-and-roll. The trap and roll, in particular, can really surprise guys until they learn to watch out for it and be a bit less aggressive attacking the turtle.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 5:20pm

Gramby.

**Joz** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 6:02pm

Originally Posted by Omega Supreme

Gramby.

*cough* Granby?

**Joz** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 6:21pm

Eduardo Telles has a whole set of DVDs on turtle guard. Bit pricey but presumably some interesting stuff on them...

http://www.groundfighter.com/Eduardo...uctional-DVDs/

I actually start a lot of newaza randori by letting people attack my turtle the best advise is probably have a plan, 3 or 4 things, and to stay active looking and setting up for them.

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 4/27/2012 7:10pm

Originally Posted by Joz

*cough* Granby?

Cough *middle finger.

**Prone** · Posted On: 4/28/2012 3:23am

Thanks guys, going to watch those videos and try those things one by one when rolling.

A question for the Judo practicioners: the Turtle is a position you are very comfortable with, right? It's being used a lot more in Judo because there is no problem giving someone the back? That's what a Judoka I play with sometimes told me.

**CrackFox** · Posted On: 4/28/2012 4:00am

Yeah there's no points for taking someone's back in judo, and in competition you only need to hold out on one maybe two attempts by your opponent to turn you over before the ref stands you up.

I don't know if I would say I'm "comfortable" with it though. It's a crappy position to be in.