クレイドル(Kureidoru)
TransliterationTranslation: Cradle (katakana loanword); cervical flexion neck crank
The cradle neck crank from turtle is applied against a turtled opponent by the attacker reaching around the head and under a leg to lock a cradle grip, then rolling the opponent onto their back while maintaining the cradle pressure. [1],[2] The turtle position makes both the head and the near-side leg accessible from a top or side angle, facilitating the cradle lock. [1] Once the cradle is secured, the attacker rolls the opponent over and drives the knee toward the head to compress the spine into forced flexion. [1],[2]
The cradle from turtle is derived directly from amateur wrestling, where the cradle is one of the primary methods for turning an opponent from the bottom (referee's) position. [1],[2] In folkstyle wrestling, the cradle is among the first combination moves taught for turning turtled opponents onto their backs for a pin. [1] Submission grapplers and MMA fighters adopted this wrestling staple and added the neck crank finishing mechanic to convert the pinning position into a submission. [1],[2]
The cradle is one of the most powerful turtle attacks available — locking the head and leg together creates complete body control and severe spinal compression [1]
A classical wrestling technique for attacking turtle (referee's position). The cradle from turtle is fundamental in folkstyle and freestyle wrestling, adapted to submission grappling [1]
Standard technique in folkstyle wrestling competition; used in MMA by wrestlers with strong mat return skills. Ben Askren's cradle from turtle is among the most famous examples [1]
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Two of the easiest ways to attack the turtle position in BJJ and Judo by Stephan Kesting. Thousands of other videos, ar…
The cradle from turtle is approached through two complementary instructional frameworks that emphasize different aspects of control and attack. Jason Scully (The Grapplers Guide) prioritizes the foundational concept of hip connection when controlling a turtled opponent from the top position, arguing that maintaining constant hip-to-hip contact—via ribs, hands, and leg pressure—prevents the bottom player from executing escapes like sit-outs, Peterson rolls, or hip switches. Scully emphasizes that hip connection is the prerequisite for all subsequent control techniques; without it, even harness grips provide false security. By floating with the opponent's hip movement, the top player can follow escape attempts and either maintain positional advantage or transition to back control. Stephan Kesting (Grapplerage) addresses the attacking phase from turtle, offering two primary submission approaches: the far-arm trap combined with a potential reverse arm triangle or clock choke, and the knee-mount transition via elbow-knee material control. Kesting's methods assume a defensive, stationary turtle and require comparable size or advantage. While Scully focuses on positional maintenance and escape prevention, Kesting provides concrete turning mechanisms and submission paths once control is established. Together, they frame the cradle from turtle as a two-phase operation: first securing hip connection to neutralize movement, then executing turning attacks or submissions.
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest; compresses anterior cervical structures
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
strong upper body for sustained compression
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
According to Stephan Kesting, separate the opponent's elbow from their knee by driving your knee down between them while in side control. This opens up their posture and makes them less balled up, creating opportunities for submissions like the choke or arm attacks.
Stephan Kesting recommends getting control of the elbow and knee, then popping up to your feet and backing up directly into knee mount. This transition puts immediate pressure on your opponent and allows you to threaten submissions.
Jason Scully emphasizes that keeping a connection at the opponent's hips is crucial because it prevents them from escaping or reversing the position. If they try to roll through or grab your arm, the hip connection makes these escape attempts significantly harder to execute.
The cradle neck crank from turtle is applied against a turtled opponent by the attacker reaching around the head and under a leg to lock a cradle grip, then rolling the opponent onto their back while maintaining the cradle pressure. The turtle position makes both the head and the near-side leg accessible from a top or side angle, facilitating the cradle lock.
The cradle from turtle is derived directly from amateur wrestling, where the cradle is one of the primary methods for turning an opponent from the bottom (referee's) position. In folkstyle wrestling, the cradle is among the first combination moves taught for turning turtled opponents onto their backs for a pin.
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
Danger rating 8/10. Flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest; compresses anterior cervical structures
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
Standard counters include: 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.
Common variants: 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 …).
Standard technique in folkstyle wrestling competition; used in MMA by wrestlers with strong mat return skills.
Top errors to watch for: Approaching from directly behind — the side approach provides better access to both head and knee; from behind, the h… / Not connecting the hands before rolling — the cradle must be locked; attempting to roll with an open cradle fails / Rolling in the wrong direction — roll toward the head side; rolling opposite opens the cradle / Not maintaining the cradle after rolling — keep the hands connected through the roll; the connection is the position.
The Cradle From Turtle is also known as Kureidoru, Turtle Cradle Crank, Cradle from Turtle Ride.
