Crucifix

The Crucifix is a dominant control position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, typically used to set up submissions like the Rear Naked Choke, Bow and Arrow, or Kimura. It leverages control of the opponent’s limbs, restricting their ability to defend effectively.

Key Features of the Crucifix

Control of the Arms

  • One of your legs traps one of your opponent’s arms, pinning it between your thigh and calf.
  • Your far-side arm secures control of your opponent’s other arm, often by gripping their wrist or using a Figure-Four Grip.

Body Positioning

  • You are perpendicular to your opponent, with your chest or torso aligned against the back of their shoulders.
  • Your positioning emphasizes Angles, Pressure, and Weight Distribution to keep the opponent immobilized.

Head Control

  • Controlling the opponent's head with your arm or by locking it against your chest helps prevent them from escaping or generating defensive movements.

Steps to Achieve the Crucifix

From Turtle Guard

  • Use a Crossface and grip the near-side arm while driving your knee into their far-side arm to trap it with your leg.
  • Roll your opponent toward the side of the trapped arm while maintaining control.

From Side Control

  • Transition to the back by isolating one of the opponent’s arms, then position your leg to trap it as you roll into the Crucifix.

From Standing Back Control

  • If your opponent defends by turtling, drop into the Crucifix position by hooking their arm with your leg and pulling their body to the mat.

Common Submissions from the Crucifix

Rear Naked Choke

  • Apply this once the opponent’s neck is exposed.

Bow and Arrow or Kimura

  • Use the control of their arms to isolate and attack specific joints.

Armbar

  • Transition into an armbar by hyperextending the trapped arm.

Defensive Considerations

Escapes

  • Opponents will try to retract their arms or roll out to Turtle Guard to neutralize the control. Anticipate this by reinforcing your grips and using Positional Layering.

Counter Pressure

  • An opponent may attempt to bridge explosively or shift Momentum to off-balance you. Maintain a solid Base and monitor their center of mass.

The Crucifix embodies the concept of Balancing Frames & Pressure while emphasizing the Positional Hierarchy that favors advanced submissions. It’s a highly effective position when mastered and is a great tool for both control and attack.

Advancing Crucifix

Transitions from Crucifix

Back Mount Transition

  • If your opponent manages to free one arm, maintain control of the other arm and rotate your hips to establish Back Control.

Technical Mount

  • Use the opening created by the opponent's movement to step over their body and establish Technical Mount, providing further submission opportunities.

Submissions from Crucifix

Rear Naked Choke

  • With one arm trapped and their neck exposed, slide your free arm under their chin, lock the choke, and apply pressure.

Bow and Arrow

  • If in the gi, grip their collar and pull across while maintaining control of their trapped arm and torso.

Armbar

  • Transition your body to hyperextend the trapped arm using your legs and hips for leverage.

Kimura

  • Control their free arm with a Figure-Four Grip and crank toward the back of their head.

Americana

  • Secure the trapped arm and use your body positioning to apply shoulder pressure upward.

Shoulder Triangle

  • Position your legs to trap the opponent's head and arm in a triangle configuration and squeeze for the choke.

Sweeps from Crucifix

Roll Over Sweep

  • If the opponent tries to escape by rolling to Turtle Guard, roll with them and land on top while maintaining control of their arms.

Reverse Sweep

  • If they try to posture up, use your leg control to shift their center of gravity, rolling them onto their back while keeping them trapped.

Passes from Crucifix

Turtle Pass

  • From Turtle Control, step over and trap their far-side arm while transitioning into Crucifix, bypassing their defensive shell.

Leg Trap Pass

  • If the opponent attempts to retain guard, use their arm trap as leverage to clear their legs and establish a dominant position.

Escapes from Crucifix

Freeing the Trapped Arm

Rolling Escape

  • Roll toward the side of your trapped arm, turning your body to relieve pressure and create space to escape.

Posture Break Escape

  • Shrink your frame, retract your limbs, and bridge explosively to disrupt their Frames and regain mobility.

Takedowns from Crucifix

Roll-through Takedown

  • If standing, trap one arm and roll your opponent to the mat while securing the Crucifix position.

Sweep-and-Trip Takedown

  • Use control of their arm and leverage to trip their base leg while pulling them into the Crucifix as they fall.

The Crucifix is a highly versatile position, with numerous offensive and defensive options that utilize Leverage, Angles, and Pressure to maximize control and capitalize on an opponent's vulnerabilities.

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