In Sambo, a turnover is a technique to flip an opponent from a defensive position. When an opponent is “turtled” or lying on their stomach, you use a turnover to expose their chest to the ceiling. This allows you to transition into a pin or a submission hold.
How You Perform a Turnover
A successful turnover relies on leverage and weight distribution rather than just raw strength.
- Break the Base: You move the opponent’s center of gravity. This often involves pulling an arm or a leg out from under them so they can no longer support their own weight.
- Apply Pressure: You use your chest or hips to drive into their side, forcing them to roll.
- Control the Hips or Head: You grab the belt, the jacket (Kurtka), or the far-side arm to create a handle.
- The Finish: You rotate your body in a circle or drive forward until their shoulder blades hit the mat.
Common Types of Turnovers
- The Near-Arm Turnover: You grab the opponent’s arm to you, tuck it under their body, and roll them over that trapped limb.
- The Belt-and-Collar Grip: You grab the back of their belt and their collar to lift and flip them like a suitcase.
- The Half-Nelson: You wrap your arm under theirs and onto the back of their neck, using the leverage to pry their chest off the mat.
Why Turnovers Matter
In Sambo competition, you cannot win by simply staying on top of a prone opponent. You must actively work to “turn” them to earn points for a pin (Osaekomi) or to set up a joint lock. A turnover turns a stalemate into an offensive opportunity.
Pro Tip: In Sambo, the referee will only give you a limited amount of time to work on the ground. If you don’t start a turnover quickly, the referee will stand both fighters back up.