Crucifix from Turtle

The Crucifix from Turtle is a sophisticated back attack transition that capitalizes on your opponent’s defensive turtle position. This technique involves controlling both of your opponent’s arms while establishing back control, creating one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The crucifix offers exceptional control with minimal energy expenditure while presenting multiple submission opportunities including chokes, armbars, and joint locks. The transition requires precise timing and coordination, as you must simultaneously secure arm control while establishing your hooks. This position is particularly valuable in both gi and no-gi competition, as it effectively neutralizes your opponent’s defensive capabilities while maximizing your offensive options. The crucifix from turtle represents a fundamental component of modern back attack systems.

Starting Position: Turtle Ending Position: Crucifix Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%

Key Principles

• Control one arm before attempting the transition to prevent defensive frames
• Use your bodyweight to flatten opponent and prevent them from sitting to guard
• Establish near-side hook first to create the foundation for crucifix control
• Trap far arm by threading your leg over the shoulder while maintaining base
• Create perpendicular angle to opponent’s spine for maximum control leverage
• Keep constant pressure to prevent opponent from rolling or escaping
• Maintain tight connection between your chest and opponent’s back throughout transition

Prerequisites

• Opponent in defensive turtle position with weight distributed on hands and knees
• You have established top position with chest-to-back contact
• At least one arm is accessible for initial control (preferably near-side arm)
• Opponent’s head is down in protective posture
• You have established a strong cross-face or head control
• Your base is stable enough to support weight shift during transition
• Opponent is not actively bridging or attempting to stand

Execution Steps

1. Establish initial arm control: From turtle top position, secure control of your opponent’s near-side arm by grabbing their wrist or triceps with your same-side hand. Drive your chest into their back while using your opposite hand to control their far shoulder or establish a cross-face. This initial control prevents them from posting and creates the foundation for your attack. (Timing: Execute when opponent commits weight forward onto their hands)
2. Insert near-side hook: While maintaining arm control, swing your near-side leg underneath their body and insert your foot as a hook on their near-side hip. Keep your knee tight to their ribs and use this hook to control their hip movement. Your hook should be deep enough to prevent them from sitting back but not so deep that you lose base for the subsequent steps. (Timing: Insert hook as opponent’s weight shifts away from near side)
3. Swim for far-side arm control: Release your cross-face and immediately swim your free arm underneath their far armpit, catching their wrist or forearm. Pull this arm across their body toward you while maintaining pressure with your chest. This creates the characteristic crucifix arm trap where both arms are controlled and extended away from their body’s centerline. (Timing: Swim for far arm immediately after establishing near hook)
4. Thread leg over shoulder: Carefully bring your far-side leg over their far shoulder, threading it between their head and trapped far arm. Your shin should press against the back of their shoulder while your foot reaches toward their opposite hip. Maintain constant backward pressure to prevent them from pulling their arm free during this critical step. (Timing: Thread leg while pulling their far arm toward you for maximum extension)
5. Establish perpendicular angle: Adjust your body angle to become perpendicular to your opponent’s spine, creating a ‘T’ shape when viewed from above. Your hips should be positioned alongside their ribs with your legs forming the crucifix configuration - one hook controlling the near hip and one leg trapping the far shoulder. This angle maximizes control while minimizing the opponent’s escape options. (Timing: Establish angle before opponent can recover defensive posture)
6. Consolidate control and attack: Secure both arms by gripping their wrists or controlling their hands. Your bodyweight should be distributed to prevent rolling while maintaining the perpendicular angle. From here, you can attack with various submissions including the rear naked choke, armbar from crucifix, or wrist locks. Keep your hips heavy and maintain constant tension on both trapped arms throughout your attack sequence. (Timing: Attack submissions once position is fully stabilized)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent sits back to guard before you establish hooks (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow them to seated guard and immediately work for back control or transition to front headlock position. Use your initial arm control to prevent them from establishing effective guard grips.
• Opponent rolls forward into a somersault escape (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain arm control and follow the roll, using your hooks to prevent completion of the somersault. Often this counter attempt will expose their back for traditional back control instead of crucifix.
• Opponent pulls trapped arm back before you thread your leg (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to traditional back control with both hooks, or transition to alternative attacks such as the armbar from back or the bow and arrow choke. Do not fight for the crucifix if the arm escapes.
• Opponent stands up explosively before you establish control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Transition to standing back control or use your initial grips to execute a mat return or takedown. Maintain connection to their back and follow their movement rather than releasing to restart.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Attempting to thread the leg before securing both arm controls
  • Consequence: Opponent escapes by pulling their far arm back and turning into you, often resulting in loss of top position
  • Correction: Always establish firm control of both arms before attempting to thread your leg over the shoulder. The arm control is the foundation of the entire position.
• Mistake: Not maintaining chest pressure during the transition
  • Consequence: Opponent creates space to sit back to guard or roll away from the attack
  • Correction: Keep constant chest-to-back pressure throughout the entire sequence. Your chest should stay glued to their back as you move through each step.
• Mistake: Threading the leg too high on the head instead of the shoulder
  • Consequence: Leg position is unstable and opponent can easily slip their arm free
  • Correction: Thread your leg over the shoulder joint, not over the head. Your shin should press against the back of the shoulder blade for maximum control.
• Mistake: Not establishing perpendicular angle, staying parallel to opponent
  • Consequence: Reduced control and opponent can roll or bridge to escape
  • Correction: Actively adjust your hips to create the perpendicular ‘T’ position. This angle provides maximum leverage and control while preventing common escapes.
• Mistake: Rushing to submissions before position is fully consolidated
  • Consequence: Opponent escapes during the submission attempt due to unstable position
  • Correction: Take the time to fully secure the crucifix position before attacking submissions. A properly established crucifix is nearly inescapable, so prioritize position over immediate submission.

Training Progressions

Week 1-2: Position Familiarization - Understanding the basic mechanics and body positioning Practice the transition in slow motion with a cooperative partner from static turtle position. Focus on the proper sequence of arm control, hook insertion, and leg threading. Partner should remain stationary to allow you to develop muscle memory for the correct angles and grips. (Resistance: None)

Week 3-4: Dynamic Entry - Executing the transition with movement and timing Partner begins adding small movements in turtle, requiring you to time your entry. Practice catching the position as they shift weight or attempt to stand. Work on maintaining control through their minor defensive movements while establishing the crucifix. (Resistance: Light)

Week 5-8: Counter Defense - Maintaining position against common escape attempts Partner actively attempts to prevent the crucifix using common defenses such as sitting back, rolling forward, or pulling arms free. Learn to recognize and counter each defense while maintaining progression toward the crucifix position. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 9-12: Submission Integration - Attacking from established crucifix position Once crucifix control is established, practice transitioning to various submissions including rear naked choke, armbar, and wrist locks. Learn to maintain position stability while executing submissions and recover position if submission attempts fail. (Resistance: Medium)

Month 4+: Live Training - Application against fully resisting opponents Implement the crucifix from turtle in live rolling scenarios. Start from turtle position with specific goal of achieving crucifix. Partner uses full resistance and all available escapes. Focus on timing, efficiency, and capitalizing on opponent’s defensive reactions. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Rolling Crucifix Entry: Instead of establishing crucifix from static turtle, you roll your opponent from side control or knee-on-belly position directly into the crucifix configuration. This variation involves controlling both arms before initiating the roll, then threading your leg over the shoulder as you complete the rotation. (When to use: When opponent is defending tightly in side control and you have strong arm control. Particularly effective in gi where collar grips facilitate the roll.)

Crucifix from Failed Back Take: When attempting traditional back control but opponent successfully defends one of your hooks, transition to crucifix by controlling the arm on the defended side and threading your leg over their shoulder. This salvages a dominant position from a partially defended back attack. (When to use: When opponent successfully defends your second hook during a back take attempt, particularly when they use a strong underhook defense.)

Harness to Crucifix: From the harness position (seatbelt grip with no hooks), establish one hook and then transition to crucifix by swimming for the second arm and threading your free leg over the shoulder. This variation works well when opponent is preventing your second hook with strong hip defense. (When to use: When you have strong harness control but cannot establish both hooks due to opponent’s hip defense. Provides an alternative path to a dominant controlling position.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the most critical element to establish before attempting to thread your leg over the opponent’s shoulder in the crucifix from turtle? A: Firm control of both of the opponent’s arms is the most critical element. You must secure the near-side arm and swim for the far-side arm control before threading your leg. Attempting to thread the leg without controlling both arms will result in the opponent pulling their far arm free and escaping the position entirely.

Q2: Why is establishing a perpendicular angle to your opponent’s spine important in the crucifix position? A: The perpendicular angle creates maximum leverage and control while minimizing the opponent’s escape options. This ‘T’ shaped configuration prevents the opponent from rolling in either direction, makes it difficult for them to bridge, and distributes your weight optimally across their body. Staying parallel to their spine allows them to roll and potentially escape.

Q3: What should you do if your opponent begins to sit back to guard before you can establish your first hook? A: You should follow them to seated guard while maintaining your initial arm control, then immediately work for back control or transition to a front headlock position. Use the arm control you’ve already established to prevent them from setting up effective guard grips. Do not try to force the crucifix against their momentum.

Q4: Which hook should typically be established first when executing the crucifix from turtle, and why? A: The near-side hook should be established first because it provides the foundational control needed to stabilize your position while you work on controlling the far arm and threading your leg. The near-side hook prevents the opponent from sitting back to guard and gives you a stable base from which to execute the remaining steps of the technique.

Q5: What is the correct placement for your leg when threading over the opponent’s shoulder in the crucifix position? A: Your shin should press against the back of the opponent’s shoulder blade, not over their head. Threading the leg over the shoulder joint rather than the head provides much more stable control and makes it significantly more difficult for the opponent to pull their trapped arm free. The leg should extend toward the opposite hip while maintaining constant pressure on the shoulder.

Q6: Why is it important to consolidate the crucifix position fully before attempting submissions? A: A properly established crucifix is one of the most dominant control positions in BJJ and is nearly inescapable when done correctly. Rushing to submissions before the position is fully consolidated often results in losing the position entirely during the submission attempt. Taking time to establish proper angles, arm control, and leg positioning ensures the opponent cannot escape, allowing you to attack submissions with minimal risk of losing position.

Safety Considerations

When practicing the crucifix from turtle, execute all movements with control and awareness of your partner’s safety. The arm positions in crucifix place significant stress on the shoulder joints, so avoid yanking or jerking the trapped arms. When threading your leg over the partner’s shoulder, do so slowly to prevent neck strain or sudden shoulder hyperextension. During submission attempts from crucifix, apply techniques progressively and release immediately upon tap. Partners should communicate clearly about discomfort in the shoulders or neck even before reaching the point of tapping. When drilling, start with zero resistance and gradually increase intensity over multiple training sessions. Be particularly cautious with wrist locks and shoulder attacks from this position, as the trapped arm position makes injuries more likely if techniques are applied explosively.

Position Integration

The crucifix from turtle represents a critical component of modern back attack systems and turtle top control strategies. This technique bridges the gap between traditional turtle attacks and advanced back control positions, providing a high-control option when standard back takes are defended. In the broader BJJ positional hierarchy, the crucifix serves as both a destination position and a gateway to other dominant controls. It integrates seamlessly with front headlock systems, as many turtle scenarios arise from front headlock positions. The technique also connects to the broader family of turtle attacks including the clock choke, bow and arrow setups, and various rolling transitions. Understanding the crucifix from turtle enhances your ability to capitalize on opponents who use defensive turtle position frequently, particularly in gi competition where turtle is a common defensive response. The position also serves as an important teaching tool for understanding arm control concepts, weight distribution, and the principle of controlling opponents through limb isolation rather than pure strength.

Related Techniques

• Turtle - Starting position for this technique
• Crucifix - Ending position and control objective
• Back Control to Crucifix - Alternative entry from back control
• Turtle to Back Take - Alternative technique from same starting position
• Armbar from Crucifix - Primary submission follow-up
• Choke from Crucifix - Alternative submission from crucifix
• Crab Ride to Back - Related turtle top attack
• Front Headlock to Back - Complementary back attack system
• Rolling Back Take - Alternative dynamic back attack from turtle
• Seat Belt Control Back - Related back control position
• Gift Wrap - Similar arm control concept
• Kimura from Turtle - Alternative submission attack from turtle top
• Turtle to Back Control - Related back attack transition
• Crucifix Submissions - Submission attacks from position
• Mounted Crucifix - Related crucifix variation

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The crucifix from turtle exemplifies the fundamental principle of controlling your opponent through limb isolation rather than positional dominance alone. When executed correctly, this technique creates a mechanical trap where both of the opponent’s arms are extended away from their body’s centerline, effectively neutralizing their defensive capabilities. The key to understanding this position is recognizing that the human body cannot generate significant power or create effective frames when both arms are trapped and extended laterally. The perpendicular angle we establish serves a dual purpose: it maximizes our control leverage while simultaneously preventing the opponent from using their strongest escape mechanism, which is rotation. From a biomechanical standpoint, the crucifix represents one of the most efficient control positions in grappling because it requires relatively little energy expenditure to maintain while offering numerous high-percentage submission opportunities. Students must understand that the transition from turtle to crucifix is not about speed or athleticism, but rather about systematic control progression - first the near arm, then the hook, then the far arm, and finally the leg thread. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a cascading system of control that becomes increasingly difficult to escape as each element is added.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the crucifix from turtle has become one of my highest-percentage positions because it completely shuts down my opponent’s offense while giving me multiple submission paths. The beauty of this technique is that it works equally well in both gi and no-gi, which is rare for back attack systems. When I’m on top of turtle, I’m always looking for this position because it’s actually easier to finish submissions from crucifix than from traditional back control in many situations. The key competitive insight is that you don’t need to rush - if your opponent is in turtle and defending their back, taking an extra two seconds to properly establish the crucifix will give you a position that’s nearly impossible to escape. In my matches, once I establish crucifix control, the round is essentially over because I can work for submissions with zero risk of losing position. I particularly like using this against opponents who are known for strong turtle defense, because they often feel safe in turtle and don’t recognize the crucifix threat until it’s too late. The modern game has evolved to the point where elite grapplers will give up points from inferior positions rather than risk the crucifix, which tells you everything you need to know about how dominant this position truly is.
• Eddie Bravo: The crucifix from turtle is one of those positions that perfectly demonstrates how the 10th Planet system approaches control - we’re not just holding someone down, we’re creating a puzzle they can’t solve. What I love about this technique is how it completely immobilizes both arms while keeping you in a position to attack multiple submissions. From a no-gi perspective, this is absolute gold because you don’t need any grips on clothing to maintain control. When teaching this, I emphasize the importance of that leg thread over the shoulder - it’s like putting on a straitjacket. Once that leg is over their shoulder and you’ve got both arms controlled, they’re not going anywhere. I’ve added variations to this where you can transition to the Twister from crucifix, or hit various neck cranks that are legal in submission-only formats. The thing about crucifix is that it looks flashy and complicated, but it’s actually simpler than traditional back control because you don’t have to worry about maintaining hooks - the leg over the shoulder does all the work. In my system, we drill the crucifix entry from multiple positions including the truck and the crab ride, making it a central hub position rather than just a one-off technique. This interconnectedness is what separates a technique from a system.