Bottom turtle done right: survive, counter, and come on top.
The Bottom Line
You learn seatbelt counters, steamroller variations, and key transitions. You get a veteran's blueprint for turning turtle into offense. You will not get deep no-gi headlock-wrestling coverage.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Gi players and guard shifters
Skip if: You only roll no-gi
Tech focus: Seatbelt Defense, Steamroller, Leg Trap
Biggest takeaway: Turn turtle into offense
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Classic gi-first bottom turtle from the position's pioneer. Learn seatbelt management, steamroller counters, and transitions that turn defense into sweeps and top. Timeless concepts with modern updates.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Steamroller
- Leg Trap
- Seatbelt Defense
- Sweeps
- Ankle Pick
- Turtle Roll
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Volumes: 2
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I put this second because Telles gives you the best starting framework to actually trust bottom turtle in gi rounds.
Why Eduardo Telles?
Eduardo Telles is a black belt famed for innovating turtle and octopus guard, with world-level results and decades of instruction refining these positions.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Most comprehensive foundation for offensive turtle guards.
- Helps you survive then reverse against stronger passers.
- Great seatbelt counters and transitions back to top.
- Priced fairly and easy to implement for intermediates.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Gi-oriented details; no-gi mileage varies on grips.
- Production is older and shorter than modern mega-sets.
- Less focus on front headlock problem than wrestling-heavy options.
- Not a rigid step-by-step system; requires experimentation.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The Naked Turtle – No-gi take on Telles-style turtle with modern tweaks. (Price: $79.00, 1 vols)
- Protecting & Generating Dynamic Offense From The Turtle – Conceptual defense-first approach to pair with Telles offense. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: Go Further Faster – Structured escapes to build around Telles-style recoveries. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Turtle Guard Revisited on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
