Turtle Escapes in BJJ: In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, positional supremacy is highly valued, both offensively and defensively. The turtle position, which may be difficult and occasionally misinterpreted, is one of the many positions in Jiu-Jitsu. An instructor can effectively press a practitioner to their hands and knees, exposing their back, when they are forced to go turtle. By doing this, they expose themselves to a variety of adversary counteroffensives. On the other hand, this potentially hazardous circumstance might be used as a chance for escape and counterattack with the right plan in place. Two practical turtle escapes in jiu-jitsu will be covered today.
Turtle Escapes: A Critical Aspect of BJJ
Just as important as attacking in BJJ is being able to get out of problematic positions. Although the turtle posture is defensively sound, it exposes the practitioner to submissions like as back takes and chokes. Understanding the most important ways to get out of the turtle position guarantees that you can withstand bigger and more skilled opponents, overcome difficult circumstances, and ultimately win a game. This article’s escapes will equip you with the skills you need to stay safe and continue fighting. You get more comfortable with common situations once you get to the turtle posture if you include these exercises in your regular training regimen. Let’s review the suggested methods immediately.
You might also be interested in reading this: What is Granby Roll? What is the Granby Roll’s in BJJ?
Turtle Escapes In Action
In this video, BJJ black belt Marcos Tinoco showcases his greatest turtle escapes and recoveries. Marcos has long been a mainstay on the competitive scene and is a top competitor. Using these strategies can help you improve your defensive skills.
1) The Granby Roll
A classic grappling manoeuvre that provides a special remedy for the difficulties associated with the turtle posture is the Granby Roll. This defensive manoeuvre, which takes its name from the Granby High School wrestling squad, is a shoulder roll that leverages momentum to invert and re-guard.
Perform a shoulder roll and block the opponent with your body when they press from above while in the turtle stance. You can spin, regain your guard, or even move into more commanding positions because to the momentum this inversion generates. Take note of Marcos’ statement that using this approach requires precise timing. Granby Rolls need some degree of movement, but with regular practice, they should become a dependable way out of the turtle.
2) The Retreat by Sitting
One of the most important moves in classical wrestling is the sit-out escape. Your primary goal is to generate space and recover as quickly as possible when you are locked in the turtle position and your opponent is on top of you using a body lock. This is exactly what the sit-out escape is intended to do.
Post on the mat, push off one foot, then swing the other leg beneath the opponent’s chest to perform the sit-out escape. By doing this, you may sit out and face the opponent’s hip by rotating your hips and shifting your weight. From here, you may do a number of things, such as going back to neutral, starting a takedown, or gaining the upper hand. The sit-out escape is a great alternative for anyone wishing to add additional wrinkles to their defence because of its straightforward mechanics, which also make it successful.
3) The Rolling Escape
The rolling escape is another useful strategy for getting out of the turtle posture. This tactic makes use of deception, turning the pressure and anger of the opposition against them.
If the top turtle is holding the seatbelt, your main objective should be to trap their arms. Next, slide sideways while in a prone position to overturn and knock your opponent off-balance. From here, you can move your hips back to enter the reverse kesa gatame or proceed into a complete mount. This escape is quite effective when your opponent utilises tight grips, similar to a seatbelt, to smash.
4) Bringing the back leg in and taking it
Blocking with your leg and taking their backs is an additional way to thwart their seatbelt. In terms of movement, this is possibly the easiest technique on our list. Post the leg that is closest to your opponent’s from the bottom turtle position, fire the other leg into the open area, and secure taking the opponent’s back. Going to the closed guard is usually a safe choice for novices.
5) Roll and Block
Blocking at the opponent’s knee and sliding forward is the last motion. While this is a doable technique, it’s best performed in the Gi since your grasp on the trousers is much firmer. Once you get a strong hold at the opponent’s knee, stay low and slide onto your shoulder to regain the upper hand. This should place you in a comfortable position from which you may move to pins like the mount, as Marcos illustrates in the figure above.
Extra Advice
To maintain fluidity in your motions and keep your opponent guessing, it is crucial to always think in combos, regardless of the technique you have selected. Thinking in combinations is especially important when it comes to defence and escapes since concentrating on a single move makes you more predictable and exposed.
Additionally, regardless of whether you are in an attacking or defensive cycle, never forget to get your favourite grips. In vulnerable situations, never give up on your opponent’s control. Develop the habit of consistently releasing your opponent’s clutches and gaining control in all situations. Just this will increase your difficulty level of control and undoubtedly improve your offensive Jiu-Jitsu.
In summary
Even though it’s difficult, the turtle stance provides you with several escape routes. Practitioners of all ages and skill levels may transform a defensive posture, like the turtle, into a more offensive one by learning and perfecting moves like the Granby Roll, Sit-Out Escape, Rolling Escape, Leg Inside and Re-Guard, and Block and Roll.
These escapes highlight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s depth and flexibility by demonstrating how skill and understanding can triumph against brute force and hostility. Remember to practise these exercises the next time you visit the gym with your training partners. Enjoy yourself and keep working out!
These are the Top 5 Turtle Escapes in BJJ. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
