At Southern Soul Academy, we often tell our students that Jiu Jitsu isn’t just about the big submissions or flashy takedowns—it’s about learning to control the chaos. One of the most underappreciated positions that perfectly embodies this is top turtle.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just starting your Navarre BJJ journey, understanding how to dominate from top turtle can transform your game.
What Is the Top Turtle Position?
When your opponent turtles—curling into a ball on their hands and knees to defend or recover—they’re far from safe. From the top, you’re in an ideal spot to control, wear them down, and launch attacks. Unlike side control or mount, where your opponent may expect to be pinned, turtle feels “temporary,” so many lower belts will rush. That’s a mistake.
Top turtle is not a sprint—it’s a strategic, grinding dance.
Why It Matters
Here’s why top turtle deserves a spotlight:
-
Control without risk: You stay mobile while your opponent stays on the defensive.
-
Transition central: Openings for back takes, crucifix, front headlocks, and clock chokes all live here.
-
Wrestling crossover: Strong wrestling fundamentals (like spiral ride or seatbelt grips) shine in this position.
-
Fatigue and frustration: You’re not just chasing submissions—you’re breaking their will.
At our Navarre BJJ academy, we emphasize learning how to hold this position before attacking. If you can’t control the turtle, you can’t finish from it.
Key Concepts We Teach
-
Heavy hips, light feet: Stay behind their hips and ready to move. If they roll, you follow.
-
Keep your hooks low: No high knees—pressure down and forward.
-
One step ahead: Anticipate the roll, the sit-out, the stand-up. Turtle players love to surprise you.
-
Attack chains: Start with shoulder pressure or a front headlock and transition fluidly between chokes and back takes.
Beginner-Friendly Drills
If you’re new to the position, here are a few things we work on in class:
-
Mat returns from turtle
-
Back take drills with seatbelt control
-
Clock choke setups with proper hip placement
-
Flow drills that link turtle to mount, back, or crucifix
You don’t need to be flashy—just solid and consistent.
Building Confidence in Top Positions
Too many beginners at Navarre BJJ rush submissions and skip control. At Southern Soul, we teach that good Jiu Jitsu is earned through pressure, not speed. Learning to stay calm and composed on top of turtle teaches patience, and patience wins matches.
Whether you’re training for your next tournament or just looking to improve your control game, don’t overlook top turtle. It’s where your ability to blend pressure, positioning, and technique really shines.
Come train with us at Southern Soul Academy and level up your top game—we’re proud to be a leading part of the Navarre BJJ community, and we’d love to help you grow.
