Attacking & Defending The Turtle by Travis Stevens – In-Depth Review

Crack the turtle and stop stalling fast.

The Bottom Line

This course gives you fast answers for top and bottom turtle. You learn to strip hooks, roll at the right moment, and convert positions into back takes or sweeps. If you want exhaustive turtle theory or no-gi wrestling-style rides, look elsewhere.

⚡️ Quick facts

Best for: Beginners and blue belts

Skip if: You need no-gi only

Tech focus: Turtle Breakdowns, Hook Removal, Front Headlock Reversal, Arm Trap Roll, Leg Trap Roll, Back Takes

Biggest takeaway: Attack shell edges, not the shell.

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What You'll Learn

Short, focused course on breaking the turtle, removing hooks, countering sit-outs, and reversing from bottom turtle. Built on judo-influenced back takes and front headlock mechanics.

Works as a quick fix if training partners turtle to stall or stand.

Primary Techniques You'll Drill

  • Turtle Breakdowns
  • Hook Removal
  • Front Headlock Reversal
  • Arm Trap Roll
  • Leg Trap Roll
  • Back Takes

Format & Level

  • Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
  • Skill level: Beginner
  • Format: Gi
  • Runtime: 1 hour and 23 minutes
  • Volumes: 1

Should You Buy It?

Wait for daily deal. I like this as a plug-in for anyone whose rounds keep stalling at turtle and needs immediate, simple options.

Why Travis Stevens?

Travis Stevens is a 3x Olympic judoka who won silver in 2016. He holds a BJJ black belt under John Danaher and Renzo Gracie. His coaching emphasizes grip strategy, pressure, and positional purpose. BJJ Heroes profiles his dual black belt credentials and competitive pedigree. He teaches at FUJI Gym in Massachusetts and produces regular technique content.

Community feedback

Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.

😍 Why People Love It

  • Redditors call Stevens turtle video great and to the point, suited for beginners.
  • Recommended in threads discussing gi turtle resources.
  • Judo-influenced approach helps crack tight shells.

🤔 Common Criticisms

  • Some note the course is short compared to multi-volume sets.
  • People chasing no-gi turtle may want wrestler-focused material.

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Sources & References

Video Breakdowns

Official listing: View Attacking & Defending The Turtle on BJJ Fanatics

Additional References

Your next step

You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.

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