Control position·Rear Naked Choke / back chokes - peeling open the shell to expose the neck; Clock Choke - using gi collar and circling to apply the choke while the opponent is curled; Kimura - prying the far arm from the defensive position
Defensive Shell
Tight protective posture - arms guard neck, wait for escape
Dominance
80
vs 20
Control depth
Head neck
Controlling
Transitions
8
outbound
Submissions
61
downstream
What it is
Compact defensive posture where you pull your arms tight to protect your neck and face when escape is not immediately possible. Your elbows stay close to your body while you maintain breathing room and wait for chances to recover guard. This position reduces damage and preserves energy while you look for escape opportunities.
What you do
The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.
Open1position detailin the App Store↗Dominance — Escaping perspective
20 vs 80
Disadvantaged↓ -60Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Elbows tight, wait for openings, shrimp to guard when safe
Dominance — Controlling perspective
80 vs 20
Disadvantaged↓ 60Dominant
Control depth · Head neck — Heavy pressure, control hips, block knee, break down shell
DEFENSESURVIVALPROTECTION
8 ways out.
All8transitionsin the App Store↗Defensive Shell →
Granby Roll
Unlocked legs - flexible guard system foundation
Type
Scramble
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Defensive Shell →
Defensive Shell to Quarter Guard
One leg recovered guard position
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Defensive Shell →
Defensive Shell to Turtle
Hands and knees, elbows tight - protect neck, escape quickly
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Defensive Shell →
Defensive Shell to Knee Shield
Top leg frames torso - distance control
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Defensive Shell →
Side Control to Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Defensive Shell →
Side Control to Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Defensive Shell →
Side Control to Back Take
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Defensive Shell →
Defensive Shell to Quarter Mount
One knee over, one alongside - advance to mount, back, s-mount
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
61 finishes live
from this position.
All61submissionsin the App Store↗SUB-001
Rear Naked Choke
Controlling
Live8/10
SUB-002
Bow and Arrow Choke
Controlling
Watch7/10
SUB-003
Clock Choke
Controlling
Watch7/10
SUB-004
Crucifix Choke
Controlling
Watch6/10
SUB-005
Kimura
Controlling
Watch6/10
SUB-006
Anaconda Choke
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-007
Arm Triangle
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-008
Armbar
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-009
Crucifix Neck Crank
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-010
D'Arce Choke
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-011
Ezekiel Choke
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-012
Head and Arm Choke
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-013
Kata Ha Jime
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-014
Katagatame
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-015
Okuri Eri Jime
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-016
Paper Cutter Choke
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-017
Spine Crank
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-018
Twister
Controlling
Long5/10
SUB-019
Americana
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-020
Arm-in Ezekiel
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-021
Prone Armbar
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-022
Brabo Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-023
Bread Cutter Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-024
Calf Slicer
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-025
Cross Collar Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-026
Gi Tail Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-027
Gift Wrap Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-028
Guillotine Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-029
Hammerlock
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-030
Japanese Necktie
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-031
Neck Crank
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-032
Ninja Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-033
North-South Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-034
Peruvian Necktie
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-035
Rear Triangle
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-036
Short Choke
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-037
Straight Jacket
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-038
Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long4/10
SUB-039
Arm Crush
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-040
Arm-in Guillotine
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-041
Banana Split
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-042
Bicep Slicer
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-043
Calf Compression
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-044
Calf Crank
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-045
Calf Crusher
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-046
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-047
High Elbow Guillotine
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-048
Inverted Armbar
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-049
Kneebar
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-050
Loop Choke
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-051
Mounted Triangle
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-052
Reverse Calf Slicer
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-053
Reverse Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-054
Scarf Hold Armlock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-055
Straight Armlock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-056
Straight Wristlock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-057
Ten Finger Guillotine
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-058
Top Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long3/10
SUB-059
Hip Slicer
Controlling
Long2/10
SUB-060
Scorpion Lock
Controlling
Long2/10
SUB-061
Tarikoplata
Controlling
Long2/10
Browse the graph.
// Defensive Shell · Control
Read this position
on your phone.
Open Defensive Shell in Grapla for the full detail block, all 8 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.
Download on the
App Store