Blue belt · Escape · Core
Turtle: defend & recover guard
Getting out of turtle by rolling, sitting out or standing, back to guard or your feet. Turtle is a short-term defense, not a place to stay.
Step by step
- Elbows tight to your knees, chin tucked, hands guarding your neck. No hooks allowed in.
- Look for space to roll or sit out.
- Granby roll: tuck your head and roll over your shoulder, away from them.
- Come out facing them with your legs between you (guard).
Details that make it work
- Turtle is a transition, not a place to rest.
- If they get one hook in, keep your elbow inside to block the second.
Common mistakes
- Gaps between your elbows and knees.
- Flattening onto your belly.
Drill it
Solo: 10 granby rolls each side.
If it fails, or what comes next
- Guard retention: frames & hip escape Guard · Seated guard
- Technical stand-up Escape · Seated guard
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