Side Control Bottom - Blocking Cross Face / Defending Near Arm
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Standard Crossface Block·Darragh O Conaill BJJ·Added by Admin
Standard Crossface Block
Genusスタンダードクロスフェイスブロック(Sutandādo Kurosu Feisu Burokku)
TransliterationTranslation: standard crossface block
Overview
The Standard Crossface Block executes the crossface defence by placing the forearm bone directly across the attacker's jaw or cheekbone as they shoot, then driving the hips back while pushing the head to the side. [1] The forearm is placed firmly across the face with the hand hooking around the far side of the head, and the defender drives forward pressure through the forearm while simultaneously sprawling. [1],[2] The standard crossface block forces the attacker's head to turn, which turns their shoulders and hips, making it impossible to complete the penetration step. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The crossface is one of the most effective takedown defences in wrestling because it attacks the opponent's head position — the single most important factor in takedown completion. [1] By driving the forearm across the attacker's face, the defender forces the head to turn, which turns the shoulders and hips, destroying the alignment needed to finish the takedown. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The crossface block is a standard wrestling defensive technique. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Intercepting an incoming strike using a rigid arm, forearm, or shin structure to absorb or redirect force
Joints Involved — Forearm and elbow (primary blocking surface), shoulder (positioning), core (absorbing residual force)
Force Vector — Perpendicular to the incoming strike — meeting the attack at an angle dissipates force across the blocking surface
Defensive Mechanic — Hard blocks absorb impact directly; soft blocks redirect the strike's trajectory away from the target
Position & Entry
From fighting stance — Maintain guard position, raise the forearm or shin to intercept the incoming strike before it reaches the target
As reactive defence — When the attack is detected, move the blocking limb into the strike's path to absorb or deflect the force
Variants
High block — forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead strikes
Low block — forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes
Cross block — forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side
Double forearm block — both forearms together for maximum coverage
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓The standard crossface block defends against the opponent's crossface by framing against their arm before it reaches your face (Couture, Wrestling for Fighting, 2007)
✓The block uses your near-side hand to intercept the crossface forearm at the bicep or elbow, preventing it from reaching your jaw
✓Timing is critical: block the crossface as it's being applied, not after the forearm is already across your face
✓The block creates an opportunity: when you stop the crossface, the opponent's arm is extended and vulnerable to underhooks
✓From bottom position, blocking the crossface is the first step to re-establishing guard or re-shooting
✓The crossface block should transition into a positional improvement: block → underhook → hip escape or re-shoot
✓Against strong crossfacers, use both hands: one blocks the forearm, the other controls the elbow
✓Train the crossface block as part of your bottom-wrestling or guard-recovery drills — it's a fundamental transitional skill
Common Mistakes
!Blocking too late after the forearm is already across the face — the block must intercept the arm before it crosses the centreline
!Blocking with the hand on the wrist instead of the bicep/elbow — the bicep block gives better leverage and control
!Blocking the crossface but staying flat — combine the block with hip movement to create space
!Not transitioning after the block — the block creates a momentary opening; use it immediately
!Using the block passively (just holding) instead of actively redirecting the arm — push the arm away while moving your hips
!Dropping the block to re-grip and allowing the crossface to land — maintain contact throughout
!Not training the crossface block against strong, active crossfacers — light drilling doesn't develop the timing needed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Read the Attack — recognize the incoming strike trajectory
2Position the Guard — place the blocking limb in the path of the strike
3Absorb Impact — brace for contact and deflect force away from vital targets
4Counter or Reset — immediately follow with a counter-attack or return to stance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Karate-Do Kyohan: The Master Text (Gichin Funakoshi, 1935)
1BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Alias sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Coaching Manual (USA Wrestling, 2015) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (Ryan & Snowden, 2010)
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm conditioning, reaction speed, structural stability
Favours
dense bone structure, strong forearms
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, deltoids, biceps, core (absorbing impact)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is blocking the crossface so important when trapped in bottom side control?
Blocking the crossface prevents your opponent from controlling your head and pinning your near arm, which would make escaping much harder. Darragh O Conaill emphasizes that allowing head control leads to worse positions and limits your options, whereas blocking it gives you more space to escape and makes everything easier.
What's the correct hand position for a crossface block?
Use a forearm shield on the near side with a tight elbow, then apply a c-grip deep into the crook of your opponent's arm using your thumb. According to Darragh O Conaill, the thumb is essential because without it their arm will slip; the grip should be tight and prevent their arm from sliding down.
What should I do if my opponent opens their elbow and breaks my block?
If they trick you and open their elbow, continuously try to pummel with your hand to regain control. Darragh O Conaill notes that you should always be ready to pummel and maintain the use of your blocking hand throughout the exchange.
How does the Standard Crossface Block work?
The Standard Crossface Block executes the crossface defence by placing the forearm bone directly across the attacker's jaw or cheekbone as they shoot, then driving the hips back while pushing the head to the side. The forearm is placed firmly across the face with the hand hooking around the far side of the head, and the defender drives forward pressure through the forearm while simultaneously sprawling.
Where does the Standard Crossface Block come from?
The standard crossface block is one of the most fundamental wrestling defensive techniques, taught as a basic takedown defence at all levels of competition. Its effectiveness and simplicity have made it a universal defensive tool in combat sports.
Is the Standard Crossface Block legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Crossface Block?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sprawls and stuffs involve sudden body weight displacement; knee/hip strain risk
How do I set up the Standard Crossface Block?
The standard setup chain: Read the Attack → Position the Guard → Absorb Impact → Counter or Reset.
How do I defend against the Standard Crossface Block?
Standard counters include: Feint — fake an attack to draw out the block then strike the opening / Level Change — switch attack levels to go around the blocking defence / Combination — throw multiple strikes to overwhelm the single defensive response.
What are the variants of the Standard Crossface Block?
Common variants: High block (forearm raised above the head to protect against overhead…); Low block (forearm driven downward to deflect kicks or body strikes); Cross block (forearm crosses the body to protect the opposite side); Double forearm block (both forearms together for maximum coverage).
How effective is the Standard Crossface Block in competition?
The crossface block is a standard wrestling defensive technique.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Crossface Block?
Top errors to watch for: Blocking too late after the forearm is already across the face — the block must intercept the arm before it crosses t… / Blocking with the hand on the wrist instead of the bicep/elbow — the bicep block gives better leverage and control / Blocking the crossface but staying flat — combine the block with hip movement to create space / Not transitioning after the block — the block creates a momentary opening; use it immediately.
What are other names for the Standard Crossface Block?
The Standard Crossface Block is also known as Sutandādo Kurosu Feisu Burokku, Basic Crossface Block, Forearm Cross Face, Head Block Crossface.