Escaping from Turtle depends on what you’re opponent is doing with their arms. If they’re two underhooks, one over/one under, or two underhooks.

Two overhooks are the easiest to escape. If we’ve just shot and they grab us with double overhooks, he isn’t defending his hips and he’s bound his body to ours, two things we want when we’re on the attack.

This Shoot Through escape/finish (It’s an escape if you’ve gotten to turtle from underneath side control or north south. It’s a finish if you’ve ended up in turtle after shooting) is a great one to learn because you can do this from one over/one under or from double unders. You can actually hit it from double unders with a lot more difficulty, and it will be even easier from double overs.

Here, Conor has me in turtle with double overhooks.

First, I tripod up (that’s standing up, butt in the air, legs straight). I circle around until I can lift my head up. If your head is still underneath his stomach you won’t be able to escape.

I throw my right knee through to my left side underneath my body and shoot my left elbow back. This is the tricky part. If I didn’t have my head out to the side I’d be in trouble.

(If he’s got an underhook – that’s the side I shoot through to. It makes it tougher, but if you keep his arm locked tight to your shoulder you can still pull it off. It just requires more skill)

Once you’ve shoot through you’ve two options. If he’s loosened his grip, spin on your right knee and take his back.

Funny, I thought this cheesy smile was cool when we took the photos – now I’m not so sure!!!

mpg of the shoot through spin around (1.6 MB, 6 seconds)

Should your partner hold on, continue to roll through. The important thing when you roll through is how you turn into your opponent. You need to do a big backstroke motion and get your hand against his hip. When you’ve this (and only when you’ve this) should you turn in to face him. Otherwise it’s too risky.

mpg of the roll through (2.2 MB, 9 seconds)