Technique Tuesday: Eli Knight - Chokes from turtle position
0
Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle ChokeยทMcDojoLife
Today my homie Eli Knight will be covering a few chokes from the turtle position. Enjoy :) If you enjoyed these techniqโฆ
Translation: Shoulder Hold / Head-and-Arm Choke โ Turtle Collapse
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
A kata gatame variation against turtle where the attacker collapses the defender sideways to finish the choke. After threading under the near arm and feeding it across the neck, the attacker drives shoulder and chest pressure, collapsing the turtle base to one side and finishing the choke from top side control.
History & Origin
Rooted in Judo newaza kata gatame, adapted in BJJ and Sambo as a high-percentage attack against turtle defenders.
Country of originยท shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- Japan่ฉๅบใ๏ผไบใใใฎๅดฉใ๏ผ(Kata Gatame โ Standard Turtle Collapse)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- RussiaSambo
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
Effectiveness
Collapsing the turtle neutralises the opponent's base and creates dominant finishing angles; effective because the collapsed position naturally drives the arm across the neck. [1]
Lineage
The standard turtle collapse to arm triangle uses weight and hip pressure to flatten the turtled opponent before securing the choke. [1]
Competition Record
Turtle collapse arm triangles are used in BJJ competition as a way to finish against turtled opponents. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Action โ Shoulder and chest compression with defenderโs arm as wedge
Joints Affected โ Neck (carotid arteries); shoulder (secondary)
Forces โ Shoulder wedge, chest weight, lateral squeeze after collapse
Position & Entry
From top turtle, thread under the near arm, feed it across the face/neck, and drop head/shoulder next to it. Collapse the turtle base sideways by driving hips and chest, settling into side control while keeping choke locked.
Variants
Collapse directly into side control
Collapse into mount finish
Collapse into north-south choke
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Collapsing the turtle removes base and quickly exposes the choke.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IBJJFIJFFIAS Sport SamboUnified MMAADCC
Training Notes
โMaintain shoulder depth while collapsing. Control far hip with knee or hand to prevent defender from rolling away. Drive weight diagonally to flatten defender before squeezing.
Common Mistakes
!Collapsing before securing head-and-arm lock
!Not blocking hip, allowing spin escape
!Squeezing too early without angle
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin โ protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight โ use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into โ rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up โ straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position โ secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck โ clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip โ lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure โ squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo โ Official Katame-waza Classification (่ฉๅบใ Kata-gatame)
1BookKodokan Judo โ Official Katame-waza Classification (่ฉๅบใ Kata-gatame)
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo โ Official Katame-waza Classification (่ฉๅบใ Kata-gatame)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (ๆญฆ้็จ่ช)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention โ native Japanese term (ๅ่ช/ๆผข่ช)
4CitationKodokan Judo โ Official Katame-waza Classification (่ฉๅบใ Kata-gatame)
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo โ Official Katame-waza Classification (่ฉๅบใ Kata-gatame)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, long legs relative to torso
Favours
longer limbs for easier figure-four lock around head and arm
Key muscles
hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps
Notes
One of the most reliable methods to attack turtle, as it combines positional breakdown with a direct submission threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up the arm triangle choke from turtle position?
According to Eli Knight, position your chest toward the base of your opponent's shoulder so their head goes into your diaphragm, then cup your second hand and drive forward while cutting back in with your arms to create pressure, similar to a ten-finger guillotine.
What do I do if my opponent blocks my arm when I'm attempting the choke?
Eli Knight recommends cupping to the back of their bicep, pulling back to drag and open the space, then shooting your arm through under their armpit with the back of your hand against their lat and shoulder to transition into the arm triangle or anaconda choke.
How deep should my arm go for the anaconda variation from turtle?
Eli Knight emphasizes shooting your arm in nice and deep by the neck, then driving your elbow down to the floor, placing your hand in the bend of your elbow, and squeezing while driving your hips forward to finish the choke.
What's an alternative hand position if I can't get my arm deep enough for the anaconda?
Eli Knight suggests going palm to palm instead, keeping your forearm against the opponent's tricep and wedging their arm and neck together tightly as an alternative finish.
How does the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke work?
A kata gatame variation against turtle where the attacker collapses the defender sideways to finish the choke. After threading under the near arm and feeding it across the neck, the attacker drives shoulder and chest pressure, collapsing the turtle base to one side and finishing the choke from top side control.
Where does the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke come from?
Rooted in Judo newaza kata gatame, adapted in BJJ and Sambo as a high-percentage attack against turtle defenders.
How dangerous is the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
Danger: 9/10 | Collapsing the turtle removes base and quickly exposes the choke.
How do I set up the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position โ Isolate the Neck โ Set the Grip โ Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin โ protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight โ use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into โ rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up โ straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
Common variants: Collapse directly into side control; Collapse into mount finish; Collapse into north-south choke.
How effective is the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke in competition?
Turtle collapse arm triangles are used in BJJ competition as a way to finish against turtled opponents.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Collapsing before securing head-and-arm lock / Not blocking hip, allowing spin escape / Squeezing too early without angle.
What are other names for the Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke?
The Standard Turtle Collapse Arm Triangle Choke is also known as Kata Gatame โ Standard Turtle Collapse, Standard Turtle Arm Triangle, Kata Gatame Turtle Collapse, Turtle Breakdown Arm Triangle.