Flatten the Turtle vs Stand or Reverse
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomTurn your partner over and pin them completely flat.
Show full gameHide full gameRules · how to win · video
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
On top of your partner, who is in turtle.
OBJECTIVE
Turn your partner over and pin them completely flat.
CONSTRAINTS
Flat means both shoulders and both hips on the mat at the same time. Rolled over with the hips held up in a bridge does not count. On their side, with one shoulder and one hip down, does not count. Keep playing until they are fully flat.
WIN CONDITION
Get your partner's shoulders and hips flat on the mat at the same time.
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
In turtle with your partner on top.
OBJECTIVE
Stand up, or use their push to sweep or reverse them and come on top.
CONSTRAINTS
Standing means up on your feet; building up with one or both hands still on the mat is not standing yet. A simple reversal counts: push them over so they land on their butt while you stay upright.
WIN CONDITION
Stand up to your feet, or sweep or reverse the position so you are the player on top.
Reference video
Open video · Better Grappler
Better Grappler, Better Turtle: What We Learned Through CLA Games (free video on the Better Grappler YouTube channel, 1 Jun 2026).
Problem
On top of your partner, who is in turtle.
Tell the room
Turn your partner over and pin them completely flat. Stand up, or use their push to sweep or reverse them and come on top.
Setup
On top of your partner, who is in turtle. In turtle with your partner on top.
Score
Get your partner's shoulders and hips flat on the mat at the same time. Stand up to your feet, or sweep or reverse the position so you are the player on top.
Rules
- Flat means both shoulders and both hips on the mat at the same time.
- Rolled over with the hips held up in a bridge does not count.
- On their side, with one shoulder and one hip down, does not count.
- Keep playing until they are fully flat.
- Standing means up on your feet; building up with one or both hands still on the mat is not standing yet.
- A simple reversal counts: push them over so they land on their butt while you stay upright.
turtle