十字架後方絞め(Jūjika Kōhō-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: Crucifix Rear Strangle
The crucifix rear strangle is applied from the crucifix position, where the attacker traps one of the opponent's arms with their legs (typically threading the far arm between the legs and locking it) while controlling the second arm with their hands or shoulder pin, holding the opponent face-down with both arms immobilised. [1],[2] With both arms neutralised, the attacker threads a forearm or feeds a lapel/sleeve across the neck and applies direct compression without defensive hand-fighting. [1] The crucifix can be entered from side control, turtle, or back control by isolating one arm with the legs and rolling to trap the second. [1],[3]
The crucifix position appears in catch wrestling and sambo as a restraint and finishing position. [1],[2] In judo, forearm strangles without the gi (hadaka-jime variants) provided the mechanical foundation. [2],[3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors like Braulio Estima and Alexandre Vieira popularized the crucifix as a high-percentage finishing system in the 2000s. [1]
The crucifix position traps both of the opponent's arms with the legs and arms, leaving the neck completely exposed for a choke. [1]
The crucifix was developed in wrestling (as a pinning position) and adapted for submissions in BJJ and MMA. [1]
The crucifix submission has been used in UFC competition by fighters like Matt Hughes, and is a recognised position in ADCC competition. [1]
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The Crucifix is such a dominant position, but I get lots of questions about submission options from there, particularly …
The crucifix rear strangle is a back-control submission that exploits resistance to traditional neck grip placement by using the legs to expose and control the opponent's arm, then rolling through to finish a choke. Both Brian Glick and Knight Jiu-Jitsu agree on the foundational mechanics: when facing a tight X-block or elbow-inside defense on the back, the attacker places a knee on the ramp of the opponent's leg between elbow and knee to flare the arm outward, then captures and locks the far arm while folding the legs to control it. Glick emphasizes the importance of opening the top leg during the roll to prevent the opponent from escaping over the top, while Knight Jiu-Jitsu provides the same core sequence but focuses heavily on submission variety once in the crucifix position. Both instructors agree the armtrap initiates the roll, but Knight Jiu-Jitsu catalogs multiple finishing options including the one-arm choke (using trap and elbow pull rather than squeeze), a compression choke with the top leg, a guillotine-style head-and-arm choke, triangle possibilities, north-south transitions, and arm locks. Glick presents a more linear path to the rear strangle finish with trapped arm control. Knight Jiu-Jitsu's approach acknowledges that no-gi slipperiness demands multiple contingencies, whereas Glick treats the technique as a systematic off-balance tool for opening tight defensive positions. Both agree the technique is particularly valuable when traditional back-control grips are unavailable or heavily resisted.
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Crucifix position traps both arms, eliminating all common choke defense options
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Japanese grappling terminology; 十字架 (crucifix) + 絞め (strangle)
Japanese grappling terminology; 十字架 (crucifix) + 絞め (strangle)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese grappling terminology; 十字架 (crucifix) + 絞め (strangle)
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
strong upper body for sustained compression
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Use the crucifix when you're behind your partner and it's difficult to establish a classic seatbelt grip and strangle, such as in no-gi where it's slippery. Brian Glick emphasizes that the crucifix opens up your partner's body, allowing you to rotate them and take the back before finishing the strangle.
You must open your leg as you roll over the top—if you don't, your partner will go over the top and land in the crucifix instead. Brian Glick stresses this is one of the most important details to execute the technique correctly.
Rather than relying purely on grip strength, grab your opponent's trap and pull your elbow back to finish the strangle, according to Knight Jiu-Jitsu's submission breakdown.
The crucifix rear strangle is applied from the crucifix position, where the attacker traps one of the opponent's arms with their legs (typically threading the far arm between the legs and locking it) while controlling the second arm with their hands or shoulder pin, holding the opponent face-down with both arms immobilised. With both arms neutralised, the attacker threads a forearm or feeds a lapel/sleeve across the neck and applies direct compression without defensive hand-fighting.
The crucifix position appears in catch wrestling and sambo as a restraint and finishing position. In judo, forearm strangles without the gi (hadaka-jime variants) provided the mechanical foundation.
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
Danger rating 9/10. Crucifix position traps both arms, eliminating all common choke defense options
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).
The crucifix submission has been used in UFC competition by fighters like Matt Hughes, and is a recognised position in ADCC competition.
Top errors to watch for: Not securing both arms before attempting the choke — the crucifix's power comes from arm control; the choke is the fi… / Losing the leg trap while setting up the choke — maintain the figure-four leg control on the trapped arm throughout / Not controlling the opponent's hips — the opponent will try to bridge and roll; control the hip line with your positi… / Rushing the choke without stabilising the crucifix — take time to cement the position; a loose crucifix allows arm ex….
The Crucifix Rear Strangle is also known as Jūjika Kōhō-jime, Crucifix Choke, Rear Crucifix Strangle, Juji-garami-jime.
