BJJ Turtle Soup 3 | 1/4 Quarter Nelson
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Нелсън от позиция „костенурка·BJJ Giant
We're just built differently, that's ok! I recently went to a new gyms first class and the first sub they were building …
Нелсън от позиция „костенурка
SpeciesTranslation: Нелсън (заемка); шийна екстензионна кранк-техника върху врата
Overview
History & Origin
Nelson attacks from the turtle draw directly from amateur wrestling, where the half nelson is one of the most fundamental techniques for turning an opponent from the referee's position. [1],[2] In submission grappling, the wrestling nelson was adapted from a turning technique into a cranking submission, taking advantage of the turtled opponent's inability to use their hands for neck defense. [1] This turtle-to-nelson chain is one of the most intuitive wrestling-to-submission transitions for wrestlers entering grappling competition. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Effective against turtled opponents — the Nelson leverage against the back of the neck combined with hip pressure creates powerful cervical manipulation [1]
Lineage
A classical wrestling turtle attack adapted to submission grappling; Nelson attacks from turtle are fundamental in catch wrestling, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling [1]
Competition Record
Common control technique in wrestling-based MMA; occasionally produces submission finishes in catch wrestling and combat sambo events [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Compression of the neck structures — restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved — Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector — Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic — Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
BELT & NELSON BREAKDOWN TURNOVER
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Нелсън от позиция „костенурка·welcomematstevescott
Here is an effective and simple breakdown/turnover that works at all levels of grappling. What we call the Belt & Nelson…
Breaking down the Turtle using the Power Half/half-Nelson
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Нелсън от позиция „костенурка·Five Points Jiu Jitsu
Using wrestling for jiu jitsu. The Power Half or half-Nelson is a very strong wrestling hold that is under utilized in j…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Nelson from turtle is a neck-crank technique applied when an opponent assumes a defensive turtle position (hands and knees with head down). Five Points Jiu Jitsu emphasizes using the power half-nelson to open the opponent's hips and create space for hook placement, establishing superior control by transitioning from initial hooks to a body trap with a tight upper-body connection rather than relying on squeezing alone. BJJ Giant describes the quarter-nelson variant, where the attacker places one hand at the base of the neck for control while threading the opposite arm under the same-side armpit, then presses the head downward and through to roll the opponent into side control—a technique effective precisely because it surprises opponents expecting rear-naked choke attacks. Welcome Mat Steve Scott presents the "belt and nelson" breakdown, combining a palm-down belt grip along the spine with an underhook of the shoulder, executed from a slight angle to prevent the opponent from spinning out, culminating in a secure chest-hold (munigatami) position that yields points under judo, freestyle, and sambo rulesets. All three instructors agree the technique exploits the turtle's inherent vulnerability and emphasize positional angles and body pressure over pure grip strength; the key distinction lies in their varying endpoint focus—submission choke versus positional control versus time-based scoring.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Five Points Jiu Jitsu — Breaking down the Turtle using the Power Half/half-Nelson: Explains the power half-nelson's dual function in escaping and opening hips; emphasizes transitioning from hooks to body trap for superior control; describes proper gable grip mechanics using shoulder rotation and arm pulling rather than squeezing.
- BJJ Giant — BJJ Turtle Soup 3 | 1/4 Quarter Nelson: Details quarter-nelson mechanics: hand placement at base of neck and underarm hook; clarifies that head pressure, not arm lifting, drives the turnover; notes the surprise factor against experienced grapplers unfamiliar with wrestling techniques.
- welcomematstevescott — BELT & NELSON BREAKDOWN TURNOVER: Presents the belt-and-nelson combination with belt grip on spine and underhook; stresses the importance of angled body positioning to prevent escape; details the final munigatami chest-hold position and its point-scoring value across judo, freestyle, and sambo rulesets.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The Nelson neck crank from turtle attacks the turtled opponent by threading the arm behind their head — the turtle's head-down posture makes the Nelson threading natural and the cervical flexion particularly effective (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓Against the turtle: approach from the side, thread one arm behind the opponent's head, and drive the chin toward the chest — the turtle's existing head-down posture means the neck is already partially flexed
✓The turtle Nelson is a fundamental turtle attack: when back takes and crucifix are defended, the Nelson provides a cervical-based submission option
✓Two variants from turtle: the standard half-Nelson (arm behind head, hand on neck) and the three-quarter Nelson (arm threaded deeper, gripping far shoulder)
✓The turtle's posture creates a Nelson paradox: the rounded posture protects the back but pre-flexes the neck — the Nelson exploits this pre-flexion by pushing it to the extreme
✓The Nelson from turtle combines positional breaking with submission: the Nelson motion turns the opponent from turtle to their side or back — the turn creates both a crank and a positional advancement
✓In wrestling, the Nelson from turtle is a primary turning method: the same technique that scores near-fall points in wrestling creates a cervical submission in grappling
Common Mistakes
!Approaching from directly behind — the side approach provides better arm access to the head; from behind, the head is protected by the turtle's tuck
!Not maintaining chest or hip pressure on the turtle — weight must stay on the opponent while the arm threads; lifting up allows them to stand or re-turtle
!Threading too slowly — the turtled opponent will protect the head if given time; thread quickly and decisively
!Not driving forward after threading — the Nelson requires forward hip pressure to create cervical flexion; threading without driving is just arm placement
!Using the full Nelson (both arms behind head) without control — the full Nelson is illegal in most wrestling and very dangerous in grappling; use the half or three-quarter
!Not following the opponent if they begin to turn — the Nelson turns them; follow the turn to maintain the position and continue the crank or advance to mount
!Applying explosive cervical force — turtle Nelson cranks are amplified by the pre-flexed position; progressive application is critical for safety
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese pro wrestling/catch wrestling standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese pro wrestling/catch wrestling standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese pro wrestling/catch wrestling standard terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese pro wrestling/catch wrestling standard terminology
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key positioning when applying a Nelson from turtle?
According to welcomematstevescott, you want to be slightly to an angle rather than straight ahead—position yourself to your left and to their right. This prevents them from spinning out and gives you control for the turnover.
How do I maintain control once I flip someone from turtle with a Nelson?
Keep holding the belt grip and use an underhook under their shoulder, then drive with your chest to flip them over into a chest hold (munigatami). Don't let go of the belt throughout the transition.
Should I go for the flip immediately or can I stay in pressure first?
Five Points Jiu Jitsu recommends that after taking the back, you get your hooks in, stay for a couple seconds to maintain control, and then switch to a body trap, as this is superior to rushing the flip.
What happens if my opponent blocks the Nelson flip?
According to BJJ Giant, the quarter Nelson alone won't flip someone if they actively resist it—you need proper positioning and grip control, but even if blocked, you can still advance to side control.
Как работи Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Шийната кранк-техника нелсън от позиция „костенурка
Откъде произлиза Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Nelson attacks from the turtle draw directly from amateur wrestling, where the half nelson is one of the most fundamental techniques for turning an opponent from the referee's position. In submission grappling, the wrestling nelson was adapted from a turning technique into a cranking submission, taking advantage of the turtled opponent's inability to use their hands for neck defense.
Разрешена ли е Нелсън от позиция „костенурка в състезания?
IBJJF: легална — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: легална — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: легална — Legal; Unified MMA: легална — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: забранена — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: легална — Legal
Колко опасна е Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Оценка на опасност 9/10. Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
Как се подготвя Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Стандартната верига за подготовка: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
Как да се защитя срещу Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Стандартните контри включват: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
Какви са вариантите на Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Чести варианти: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).
Колко ефективна е Нелсън от позиция „костенурка в състезания?
Common control technique in wrestling-based MMA; occasionally produces submission finishes in catch wrestling and combat sambo events
Какви са честите грешки при изпълнение на Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Основни грешки, за които да внимавате: Approaching from directly behind — the side approach provides better arm access to the head; from behind, the head is… / Not maintaining chest or hip pressure on the turtle — weight must stay on the opponent while the arm threads; lifting… / Threading too slowly — the turtled opponent will protect the head if given time; thread quickly and decisively / Not driving forward after threading — the Nelson requires forward hip pressure to create cervical flexion; threading ….
Какви други имена има Нелсън от позиция „костенурка?
Нелсън от позиция „костенурка е известна също като Neruson, Кранк с нелсън от костенурка, Нелсън от яздене на костенурка.