Fighting From & Against the Turtle Position

15.09.2025

In the world of submission grappling and ground-fighting, mastering various positions is essential for success. One crucial position that frequently comes into play is the turtle position. Recently, my clients began the fourth hour of their Submission Grappling/Ground-Fighting course, where we focused specifically on attacking and defending from the turtle position.

The turtle is a popular defensive position that can be both advantageous and vulnerable, depending on how it is used. In this lesson, we utilise a series of structured sparring rounds to help my clients understand the dynamics of this position more effectively.

Understanding the Turtle Position

The turtle position involves a fighter on all fours, with their back turned to the opponent. It can serve as a strategic choice for defending against attacks, but also presents opportunities for the opponent to secure submissions or dominant positions.

In our training, we placed a strong emphasis on understanding both the offensive and defensive aspects of the turtle position. This approach enabled my clients to appreciate how to switch roles during grappling sessions. For instance, statistics show that nearly 30% of grapplers get caught in a submission when they fail to identify their opponent's intentions quickly.

Sparring Rounds Overview

To aid learning, we structured our training into specific sparring rounds, each with distinct objectives. This format allowed my clients to hone in on particular skills while adapting to the ever-changing nature of grappling.

Rounds 1 & 2: Attacking the Turtle Position

In the first two rounds, one fighter attempted to secure a choke hold on their opponent in the turtle position. This exercise familiarized my clients with potential choke options, such as the guillotine and rear-naked choke.

By concentrating on the attack, the aggressor learned to spot openings and capitalize on them while the turtle position holder practiced maintaining a strong defense. For instance, understanding that the guillotine can be successfully employed with a 60% accuracy when proper mechanics are applied was a key learning point.

Rounds 3 & 4: Defending from the Turtle Position

After the initial rounds, we switched roles. The turtle-position fighter now had to defend against an opponent attempting to secure a choke hold. This phase of training was essential for developing defensive strategies, such as hand fighting and creating space to escape.

My clients learned the significance of head positioning and body movement in preventing submissions. Importantly, 80% of fighters can avoid being submitted simply by maintaining proper posture and positioning. This experience reinforced the idea that the turtle position, while defensive, can also serve as a launching pad for counterattacks if executed correctly.

Rounds 5 & 6: Pinning and Escaping

In the following two rounds, we shifted focus to pinning and securing a dominant position. One fighter aimed to pin their opponent, while the turtle position holder worked on sweeping or escaping.

This exercise highlighted the importance of timing and leverage. My clients discovered that even from a seemingly weak position, they could create opportunities to reverse the situation and gain an advantage. For example, learning to use their hips effectively improved their success rate in escapes by over 25%.

Rounds 7 & 8: Sweeping and Escaping

The final rounds involved the turtle position holder attempting to sweep or escape while avoiding being pinned or submitted. This phase was particularly challenging, as it required quick thinking and adaptability.

My clients learned to utilize their hips effectively and recognize when to commit to a sweep versus when to prioritize escaping. This balance is crucial in grappling, where the ability to transition between offensive and defensive roles can determine the match's outcome.

Key Takeaways

Throughout this lesson, several key takeaways emerged that are vital for anyone looking to improve their grappling skills:

1. Understanding the Turtle Position: Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the turtle position is essential for both attacking and defending.

   
   

2. Adaptability: The ability to switch between offensive and defensive roles is crucial in grappling. Practicing specific scenarios helps develop this skill.

   
   

3. Timing and Leverage: Effective grappling relies on understanding timing and using leverage to your advantage, whether you are on the offensive or defensive.

   
   

4. Continuous Learning: Each sparring round presents a chance to learn and refine techniques. Embrace the journey and remain open to feedback.

   
   

A training dummy demonstrating the turtle position on a grappling mat

Final Thoughts

As my clients continue their journey in submission grappling, the lessons learned from attacking and defending the turtle position will lay a solid foundation for their future training. The turtle position, often viewed as a defensive stance, can be transformed into a strategic advantage with the right techniques and mindset.

By engaging in specific sparring rounds, my clients have gained valuable insights into the dynamics of this position, improving their overall grappling skills. I look forward to watching how they apply these lessons in future training sessions and competitions.

In grappling, every position offers unique opportunities for growth. Embrace the challenges, learn from each experience, and continue to refine your skills on the mat.