Single Leg From Turtle (3 options)
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Single Leg Wrestle-Up·Wim Deputter BJJ
Single Leg From Turtle - In today's video I will share my ideas about the single leg from turtle. You can use it setup t…
Single Leg Wrestle-Up
SubFamilyシングルレッグレスルアップ(Shinguru Reggu Resuru Appu)
TransliterationTranslation: single leg wrestle-up
Overview
The Single Leg Wrestle-Up subfamily covers standing techniques where the bottom fighter attacks one of the opponent's legs from the ground, using a single-leg takedown entry to stand up and attack simultaneously. [1] The single leg wrestle-up is the most common wrestle-up variation because it requires controlling only one leg, which is often available from bottom positions like half guard and butterfly guard. [1],[2] The technique transitions seamlessly from guard to single-leg attack to standing. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The single leg wrestle-up stands up from bottom while securing a single leg on the opponent. [1]
Lineage
Combines wrestling single leg with BJJ guard recovery. [1]
Competition Record
Used in MMA and no-gi competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Breaking the opponent's leg control to advance to a more dominant position
Joints Involved — Hips (posture and pressure), knees (opening the guard with knee-in or standing), hands (grip fighting)
Force Vector — Forward pressure (stack/smash) or backward posture (stand-up break) to open the closed guard
Passing Mechanic — Once the guard is opened, speed passing, pressure passing, or toreando passing advances the position
Position & Entry
From bottom position — Frame against the opponent, create distance, post the hand and foot, stand up while maintaining defensive posture
From turtle — Post the hands and feet, drive upward while fighting off the opponent's controls
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Standing escapes from clinch/holds; involves explosive disengagement
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓The single-leg wrestle-up rises from guard to a single-leg takedown in one movement — typically using a collar tie or arm drag to set up the leg entry (Cael Sanderson, Wrestling Technique, 2010)
✓From butterfly guard or seated guard, use an arm drag to clear the arm, rise toward the opponent's leg, and secure a single leg
✓The arm drag creates the angle: drag the arm → rise to the same-side knee → grab the far leg → finish the single
✓The single-leg wrestle-up is particularly effective from half guard — you already have one leg trapped
✓The rise and the single-leg entry happen simultaneously — don't stand up then shoot; combine them
✓Finish the single with any standard finish: run the pipe, dump, inside trip, or lift
✓In MMA and no-gi competition, the single-leg wrestle-up is one of the highest-percentage guard transitions
✓Study Marcelo Garcia's arm drag to single leg — this is the gold standard for the wrestle-up
Common Mistakes
!Standing fully before attacking the leg — the simultaneous rise-and-shoot is what makes the wrestle-up effective
!Not using the arm drag or collar tie to create the angle — shooting straight at the leg from guard is easily defended
!Rising to both feet before engaging the leg — drive from one knee first, then stand with the single leg
!Not finishing the single leg — the entry from the wrestle-up is easier than a standing shot; commit to the finish
!Shooting too slowly — the transition must be explosive; a slow rise lets the opponent adjust
!Releasing guard grips before establishing the single leg grip — one grip must replace the other without a gap
!Not training the arm-drag-to-single-leg as a connected chain — the arm drag sets up the single; drill them together
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques (Marcelo Garcia, 2011)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (John Jesse, 1974) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Petrov, 1977)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility, explosive bridge/shrimp power, timing
Favours
flexible hips and strong glutes for escape movements
Key muscles
glutes, hip flexors, core, triceps (framing)
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I try to yank my opponent's leg close when setting up a single leg wrestle-up from turtle?
No—Wim Deputter emphasizes that you should never yank the leg. Instead, apply static pressure to control it and prevent it from moving away, then walk your body closer to improve your position.
What's the best head position when attacking the single leg from turtle?
According to Wim Deputter, placing your head on your opponent's hip gives you better control and makes it harder for them to move, compared to just driving your head down with less structural support.
What happens if my single leg takedown attempt fails?
Wim Deputter notes that if the single leg fails, you ideally end up in half guard, which he describes as a valuable late-game position when attacking the single leg.
How should I counter when my opponent rotates away from my single leg attack?
Wim Deputter recommends counter-rotating with your opponent—keep your head moving inside and maintain alignment of your shoulders, knees, and toes as you follow their rotation.
How does the Single Leg Wrestle-Up work?
The Single Leg Wrestle-Up subfamily covers standing techniques where the bottom fighter attacks one of the opponent's legs from the ground, using a single-leg takedown entry to stand up and attack simultaneously. The single leg wrestle-up is the most common wrestle-up variation because it requires controlling only one leg, which is often available from bottom positions like half guard and butterfly guard.
Where does the Single Leg Wrestle-Up come from?
The single leg wrestle-up is one of the most versatile transitions in modern grappling, developed through the integration of wrestling with BJJ bottom-position strategy. Its utility has made it a standard technique in both BJJ and MMA training.
Is the Single Leg Wrestle-Up legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — standing escapes from clinch/holds; involves explosive disengagement
How do I set up the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
Common variants: Standard escape (primary escape mechanic using frames, bridges, or hip mov…); Combination escape (chaining two escape directions or methods); Counter escape (using the opponent's attack attempt to create the escape …); Competition variation (modified for rule-set optimisation).
How effective is the Single Leg Wrestle-Up in competition?
Used in MMA and no-gi competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
Top errors to watch for: Standing fully before attacking the leg — the simultaneous rise-and-shoot is what makes the wrestle-up effective / Not using the arm drag or collar tie to create the angle — shooting straight at the leg from guard is easily defended / Rising to both feet before engaging the leg — drive from one knee first, then stand with the single leg / Not finishing the single leg — the entry from the wrestle-up is easier than a standing shot; commit to the finish.
What are other names for the Single Leg Wrestle-Up?
The Single Leg Wrestle-Up is also known as Shinguru Reggu Resuru Appu, Single Leg Stand-Up, One Leg Wrestle-Up.