Crucifix from Side Control

Crucifix from Side Control is a control used to hold and set up the next attack built around a handful of repeatable controls. The top player has the far-side underhook in side control and the bottom player's near arm exposed away from the body. Another common starting shape: the top player is across side control with a deep underhook on the far side and the bottom player's near arm pinned to the body. It is worth attempting once comfortable with: Far trap underhook to force back exposure from mount. The ideas that hold it together are shin on bicep at the elbow, shin pin enables triangle step-over, and scissor (don't squeeze) the legs.

The crucifix chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Drop a shin onto the bicep at the elbow joint, pinning the arm to the mat. Maintain the underhook to deny defensive frames. Use the free leg to step over for a mounted triangle when ready. Drop one knee forward of the trapped arm and one knee back behind the head. Scissor the legs (do not squeeze them) to leverage the head off the mat. Maintain the far-side underhook throughout to deny defensive framing. Thread the near arm deep under the far armpit and walk the legs around the head. Keep chest pressure low so the bottom player cannot follow the spin to recover. The top player has pinned the bottom player's arm to the mat with one shin while the other leg becomes available to step over for a triangle.

Later in the crucifix, far underhook is mandatory, pressure first, transition second — keep the pin honest before chasing the next position, and use the bottom player's reaction (turning in or away) to pick the correct follow-up tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Pinning the forearm instead of the bicep at the elbow, allowing the arm to be ripped out. Releasing the shin pin when stepping the other leg over. Squeezing instead of scissoring, producing no leverage on the head. Releasing the underhook to set the legs, losing the position. The high-percentage version of crucifix from side control is the one you can still chain when the opponent frames or pummel-wins a grip.