Turtle
Alternate names: All fours, Quad position
Technique Description
The turtle position is a defensive posture in grappling where you are on your hands and knees with your head, arms, and limbs tucked in close to your body. It serves as a barrier against attacks and an escape option from dominant positions like mount and side control. While it may seem limited in terms of offensive capabilities, the turtle position allows for effective counter-attacking opportunities and transitions. By keeping your limbs tightly against your body, you block access to vital areas and create a strong defensive wall. However, it is not a foolproof escape method and should be used as a transitional base to regain a better position. In the modern submission grappling environment there is an extensive meta of both attacking and defending from the turtle position.
References
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