Mounted crucifix or salavery position: Basic instruction
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Mounted Crucifix·Matthew Elliott
Technical ground and pound is a type of ground and pound used by combining grappling and striking skills to get your opp…
Mounted Crucifix
SubFamilyマウントクルシフィックス(Maunto Kurushifikkusu)
TransliterationTranslation: mounted crucifix
Overview
The Mounted Crucifix subfamily covers the mount variation where the top fighter has trapped both of the opponent's arms — one under a leg and the other controlled by the hands — while mounted, completely immobilising the bottom fighter. [1] The mounted crucifix combines the dominance of the mount with the arm control of the crucifix, creating one of the most controlling positions in grappling. [1],[2] It allows completely undefended strikes in MMA and a wide range of submission attacks in grappling. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The mounted crucifix traps both of the opponent's arms while in mount, completely eliminating their defensive options. [1]
Lineage
The mounted crucifix was developed in BJJ and MMA as the most dominant mount control variant. [1]
Competition Record
The mounted crucifix is used in MMA for undefended ground-and-pound. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gravity-assisted top control — body weight pins the opponent's torso to the ground
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (heavy base), knees (clamped for ride control), opponent's spine (pinned)
Force Vector — Downward — gravity plus active hip pressure maximises control and submission opportunities
Positional Mechanic — High mount raises the centre of gravity above the opponent's shoulder line, isolating their arms for attacks
Position & Entry
From guard pass completion — After passing the guard, establish mount by placing knees on either side of the opponent's torso
From sweep — Complete a sweep from guard and land directly in mount position on top
From side control (knee slide) — From side control, slide the knee across the opponent's belly and settle into mount
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring po...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, mount scores 2 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal dominant position
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal, pin scores points
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Mounted crucifix traps both of the opponent's arms from mount — one arm is controlled by the legs (trapped between the top player's legs) and the other is controlled by the arms — creating a completely helpless position (Danaher, Mount Attacks, 2020)
✓The mounted crucifix is the most dominant mount variation: the opponent has zero arms available for defence
✓The arm trapped by the legs: from mount, the top player threads one leg over the opponent's arm, pinning it between the thighs
✓The arm controlled by the hands: the opposite arm is gripped at the wrist or overhook'd
✓From mounted crucifix, every submission is available: armbar (on either arm), cross choke, Ezekiel choke, and strikes (MMA)
✓Mounted crucifix in MMA is fight-ending: the opponent cannot defend strikes with both arms trapped
✓The position is rare in competition because it requires precise control, but when achieved, it is nearly inescapable
Common Mistakes
!Not securing the leg trap on the first arm — the leg must completely pin the arm between the thighs
!Losing control of the second arm while trapping the first — both arms must be managed simultaneously
!Staying in mounted crucifix without attacking — the position is for finishing; attack immediately
!Not maintaining mount stability during the arm traps — the mount must remain solid throughout
!Attempting mounted crucifix against a skilled opponent without setup — use combinations from mount to create the openings
!Trapping arms that are not committed — catch the arms when the opponent reaches or frames
!Not training the mounted crucifix transition — the path from mount to crucifix requires specific drilling
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Pass the Guard — clear the opponent's legs to advance to this dominant position
2Settle Weight — distribute body weight to maintain heavy pressure
3Control Arms — manage the opponent's arms to prevent frames and escapes
4Threaten Submissions — attack to force defensive reactions and maintain dominance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
base stability, heavy hips, ride ability
Favours
heavier build with strong hips for pressure
Key muscles
hip adductors, core, glutes, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stay stable in mounted crucifix when my opponent is bucking?
Use your striking arm to post on the mat when your opponent bucks, which will keep you stable and in control of the position.
Should I keep my hips tight or open in mounted crucifix?
Matthew Elliott notes that opening your hips gives you more power for punches, but keeping them tight makes escape harder for your opponent—since the position is so dominant that a TKO typically happens in a few shots, hip positioning for power is the priority.
What submissions can I attack from mounted crucifix?
From this position you can attack an Americana on the arm your opponent has raised defensively, or apply an armlock by placing your elbow on their hip bone and raising up to finish.
How does the Mounted Crucifix work?
The Mounted Crucifix subfamily covers the mount variation where the top fighter has trapped both of the opponent's arms — one under a leg and the other controlled by the hands — while mounted, completely immobilising the bottom fighter. The mounted crucifix combines the dominance of the mount with the arm control of the crucifix, creating one of the most controlling positions in grappling.
Where does the Mounted Crucifix come from?
The mounted crucifix developed as a combination of mount and crucifix control principles, used in both BJJ and MMA as an ultimate control position. It is recognised as one of the most dominant positions available in ground fighting.
Is the Mounted Crucifix legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring position; IJF: legal — Legal, osaekomi (pin) — 10-19 seconds scores waza-ari, 20 seconds scores ippon; ADCC: legal — Legal, mount scores 2 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal dominant position; UWW: legal — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match by fall; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal, pin scores points
How dangerous is the Mounted Crucifix?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Mounted Crucifix?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Mounted Crucifix?
Standard counters include: Bridge (Upa) — explosive hip elevation to off-balance the top player / Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp) — create space by driving elbow to knee and hip-escaping / Frame — establish forearm frames to prevent the top player from settling weight.
What are the variants of the Mounted Crucifix?
Common variants: Low mount (hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for sta…); High mount (knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions); S-mount (one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm …); Technical mount (one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take t…).
How effective is the Mounted Crucifix in competition?
The mounted crucifix is used in MMA for undefended ground-and-pound.
What are common mistakes when doing the Mounted Crucifix?
Top errors to watch for: Not securing the leg trap on the first arm — the leg must completely pin the arm between the thighs / Losing control of the second arm while trapping the first — both arms must be managed simultaneously / Staying in mounted crucifix without attacking — the position is for finishing; attack immediately / Not maintaining mount stability during the arm traps — the mount must remain solid throughout.
What are other names for the Mounted Crucifix?
The Mounted Crucifix is also known as Maunto Kurushifikkusu, Mounted Crucifix, Mount Crucifix, Crucifix from Mount.