The Crucifix is a powerful pinning and submission position in BJJ and wrestling where the top player controls the turtled opponent's body, trapping one arm with their legs while applying a neck crank, choke, or armlock. The name comes from the spread-arm appearance of the bottom player β their arms are extended and controlled, leaving them virtually defenseless. It is one of the most dominant control positions in grappling.
In the crucifix position, you are behind and slightly to the side of a turtled opponent. Your legs (or one leg) trap one of the opponent's arms from behind β typically the near arm β while your upper body controls their back and neck. This leaves the opponent unable to post with the trapped arm, severely limiting their defensive options.
The crucifix is distinct from standard back control: rather than both hooks in (standard back mount), the crucifix uses a leg entanglement to trap an arm, giving you superior control over that arm and enabling arm-specific submissions (armbars, kimuras, neck cranks) alongside chokes.
If you have back control and the opponent defends chokes by pulling your arm down or tucking their chin, you can transition to crucifix by sliding one hook out and threading it around their near arm. This moves you into crucifix while maintaining control of the back.
When the opponent defends the clock choke by rolling away from the choking arm, their roll can be exploited by following them and entering the crucifix as their arm comes free during the roll.
Key control points in the crucifix:
With neck control already established, the most direct submission is a rear naked choke or an arm-in variant. The opponent's inability to post with the trapped arm makes defending the choke significantly harder.
Drive your arm under the opponent's chin while pushing their head away with your body. Neck cranks are legal in most submission wrestling formats but restricted in gi BJJ β always check ruleset before drilling neck cranks at speed.
The trapped arm creates a natural kimura opportunity. Overhook the trapped arm and apply a figure-four (kimura) grip to attack the shoulder joint. This is available in both gi and no-gi.
Extend the trapped arm and transition to an armbar by adjusting hip angle. The opponent cannot pull their arm back because it's already captured between your legs.
In the gi, use the opponent's collar for a clock choke variant while maintaining the crucifix arm control. The combination of arm trap and clock choke is extremely difficult to defend simultaneously.
The crucifix is used regularly in gi and no-gi competition at all levels. It is especially effective against opponents who habitually turtle to escape takedowns or guard passes without moving dynamically. Common competition sequences:
The crucifix control position is legal. Most submissions from it (rear chokes, kimuras, armbars) are legal at appropriate belt levels. Neck cranks are restricted in IBJJF gi competition β do not use neck crank submissions in IBJJF events.
Standard back control uses two hooks (both feet inside the opponent's thighs) and focuses on rear naked choke. The crucifix traps one of the opponent's arms with your legs, giving you arm-specific attacks (armbar, kimura) alongside choke options, at the cost of standard back mount stability.
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Get Free Access βFrom mount, you typically want to establish control of one arm and the head. A common entry involves a shoulder walk or a hip bump to create space, then quickly securing the arm and head to lock in the crucifix position.
The most common submission is the armbar applied to the trapped arm. You can also attack the neck with a collar choke or a kimura on the trapped arm if they defend the armbar.
Maintain tight control of their head and the trapped arm, preventing them from turning into you or creating space. Keep your hips heavy and adjust your body to maintain pressure and prevent them from bridging or rolling out.