Episode 129

E129 | Positional Playbook: The Turtle

Published on: 8th March, 2026

About

In this episode, we dive deep into the Turtle Position—a spot that’s often controversial in the BJJ community. While not technically a guard, David explains how top-tier competitors like Eduard Telles have turned it into an offensive powerhouse. We break down the strategic advantages of turtling up to prevent guard-pass points, the common pitfalls that lead to back-takes and chokes, and specific "Tapped In" tactics for recovering guard or launching your own attacks from the bottom.

Chapters

  1. 00:00 Is Turtle a Guard? Defining the Position
  2. 00:44 Influencers of the Game: Eduard Telles & BJJ Fanatics
  3. 02:00 Strategic Turtle: Denying Points in Competition
  4. 03:40 Offensive vs. Defensive Turtle: Managing Transitions
  5. 06:14 Protecting the Ribcage: Elbow-to-Knee Connections
  6. 07:30 Common Mistakes: Wide Knees and Losing Base
  7. 08:42 Case Study: "Marco’s" Offensive Turtle & The Kimura Trap
  8. 10:55 Attacking the Turtle: Hip-to-Hip Pressure & The Clock Choke
  9. 12:20 David’s Go-To: The Kimura Counter-Attack
  10. 13:48 Final Tips: Patience and Disengaging

Takeaways

  1. Deny the Points: Turtling up before a pass is solidified is a vital tactical shield to stop your opponent from scoring 3 points in competition.
  2. Seal the Leaks: Success depends on closing the space between your elbows and your ribcage; if you leave a gap, you're inviting hooks and seatbelts.
  3. Patience is a Weapon: Don't rush to escape. Keeping a wide base and staying tight prevents you from being pulled onto your hip and exposed.

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About the Podcast

Tapped In: A JiuJitsu Podcast
A Bjj/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Podcast By DFM Coaching
Tapped In: A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Podcast | Training, Mastery & Mindset

I’m David Figueroa-Martinez, a BJJ Black Belt and coach, and I created Tapped In for the grapplers who train for mastery, not just medals. This is a short-form series designed to give you tactical clarity in the 12–24 minutes it takes to drive to the gym.

I cut through the fluff to bring you grounded reflections on the mindset, structure, and strategy behind real Jiu-Jitsu growth. Whether I’m breaking down mat culture, ego management, or game-planning for your next promotion, my goal is to help you train with purpose and lead with intent.

What you can expect every week:
Tactical Coaching: Insights into BJJ game-planning and technical structure.
Mat Culture & Leadership: Navigating gym dynamics and the student-coach relationship.
The Mental Game: Managing ego, building resilience, and staying steady in the chaos of the roll.

Train smarter. Think deeper. Stay tapped in.
New episodes released 3x a week.

About your host

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David Figueroa-Martinez

I’m David Figueroa-Martinez, Jiu-Jitsu black belt, mindset coach, and founder of Tapped In. This podcast isn’t for hype or highlight reels. It’s for grapplers who train with purpose.

I teach structure, not chaos. Mindset, not ego. Progress, not performance.

Through each episode, I share grounded lessons from the mats, the mind, and the moments that shape who we become, as athletes, as leaders, and as people.

I also run DFM Coaching, where I help White and Blue Belts build clarity and structure through personalized systems, and write Choke Point Chronicles, a weekly series diving deep into strategy, growth, and culture in Jiu-Jitsu.

Whether you’re a White Belt looking for direction or a black belt trying to stay sharp without selling your soul, this is where we train the inner game.