Crucifix

Position
Also known as:
Crucifix Position

The crucifix is a dominant control position where the top player traps both of the opponent's arms—one with their legs (figure-four or hook configuration) and the other with their hands—leaving the opponent's head and neck completely exposed. It is most commonly reached from turtle or back control and offers a wide array of submissions including chokes, armlocks, and shoulder locks.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Isolating one arm with your legs while controlling the other arm with your hands creates the cross-shaped exposure that defines the position.
  • · Hip pressure across the opponent's back or shoulders prevents them from rolling out or recovering posture.
  • · Maintaining a tight figure-four or reverse hook on the trapped leg-side arm eliminates their primary escape route.
  • · Controlling the wrist of the hand-trapped arm prevents the opponent from framing or defending chokes.
  • · Anticipate the opponent trying to roll toward the leg-trapped arm by shifting your hips and maintaining perpendicular alignment.

Execution

  1. 1 From turtle or back control, isolate one of the opponent's arms by threading your near-side leg over it and securing a figure-four with your legs.
  2. 2 Control the opponent's other arm with an overhook, underhook, or wrist grip to prevent them from posting or defending.
  3. 3 Position your body perpendicular to the opponent, driving your hips tight against their shoulder line to flatten them.
  4. 4 Settle your weight and adjust grips so both arms are fully immobilized, exposing the neck and both shoulders for attacks.
  5. 5 Choose your submission—attack the neck with chokes or target either trapped arm with armlocks or shoulder locks.

Common mistakes

  • × Failing to secure the leg-side arm deeply enough, allowing the opponent to pull their elbow free and escape to turtle or guard.
  • × Leaving too much space between your hips and the opponent's shoulders, giving them room to roll through and reverse the position.
  • × Over-focusing on one submission attempt without controlling both arms, letting the opponent defend the choke by freeing a hand to block.

Attacks & transitions

Offense available from Crucifix.

Armbar From Crucifix submission Choke From Crucifix submission Rear Naked Choke submission
11 less common
Armbar Finish submission Armbar From Back submission Belly Down Armbar submission Kimura From Turtle submission Reverse Kimura submission Reverse Omoplata submission Triangle Choke From Back submission Bicep Slicer submission Guillotine Choke submission Kimura submission Peruvian Necktie submission

How you get here

Techniques that land in Crucifix.

Arm Drag transition Back Control To Crucifix transition Back Take Generic transition Crucifix From Turtle transition Omoplata submission