E129 | Positional Playbook: The Turtle

AboutIn this episode, we dive deep into the Turtle Position—a spot that’s often controversial in the BJJ community. While not technically a guard, David explains how top-tier competitors like Eduard Telles have turned it into an offensive powerhouse. We break down the strategic advantages of turtling up to prevent guard-pass points, the common pitfalls that lead to back-takes and chokes, and specific "Tapped In" tactics for recovering guard or launching your own attacks from the bottom.Chapters00:00 Is Turtle a Guard? Defining the Position00:44 Influencers of the Game: Eduard Telles & BJJ Fanatics02:00 Strategic Turtle: Denying Points in Competition03:40 Offensive vs. Defensive Turtle: Managing Transitions06:14 Protecting the Ribcage: Elbow-to-Knee Connections07:30 Common Mistakes: Wide Knees and Losing Base08:42 Case Study: "Marco’s" Offensive Turtle & The Kimura Trap10:55 Attacking the Turtle: Hip-to-Hip Pressure & The Clock Choke12:20 David’s Go-To: The Kimura Counter-Attack13:48 Final Tips: Patience and DisengagingTakeawaysDeny the Points: Turtling up before a pass is solidified is a vital tactical shield to stop your opponent from scoring 3 points in competition.Seal the Leaks: Success depends on closing the space between your elbows and your ribcage; if you leave a gap, you're inviting hooks and seatbelts.Patience is a Weapon: Don't rush to escape. Keeping a wide base and staying tight prevents you from being pulled onto your hip and exposed.Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!Stay ConnectedDFM CoachingFor remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj▶️ YouTube @DFM2099DFM Coaching | Bjj BlogLong-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:🌐 DFM Coaching Substack BlogBJJ Mental Models SupportI'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)Support the MissionIf you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.Stay tapped in.Thank you,David Figueroa-MartinezFounder, DFM Coaching BjjCoach | Writer | GrapplerDFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!Mentioned in this episode:Patreon Blueprint Ad