Sometimes, taking the back is proving difficulty, particularly if your opponent is faster or more flexible than you. Here’s a way to force your opponent from Turtle into side control.

From a harness/seatbelt position, wrap your top hand around your opponents far elbow/triceps. Position your chest as low as you can on his near shoulder. Your hips should be lower than your head and shoulders (aren’t they always?)

Turtle 1

Push off with your feet, driving into your opponent, while pulling your arms in and up. Once your partner has rolled past ninety, bring your bottom hand down (in this case, my left) and place it next to his hip. This prevents them recovering guard. It’s also a good idea to move to as high a side control/north-south position as soon as possible.

Turtle 2

Sometimes, your opponent is particularly strong at resisting this push over, or they are turning into you to attempt a takedown/reversal of their own. In this case, place one hand over their elbow/tricep, and another at their knee, and push off. The advantage of this is that you automatically block guard.

Turtle 3

I think it’s a good idea to practice the first method. Although not as technically solid as the second, it is more reliant on the hip drive, which is essential in both techniques.

Colm

-It’s all in the hips!