Seven Deadly Neck Cranks | Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling
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Face Crank From Crucifix·Knight Jiu-Jitsu
There are obviously more than 7 neck cranks in grappling, but the title has to be catchy... Neck cranks are some of the …
Face Crank From Crucifix
Speciesフェイスクランク(Feisu Kuranku)
TransliterationTranslation: Face Crank (katakana loanword)
Overview
The face crank from crucifix is applied when the attacker has secured the crucifix position — trapping one of the opponent's arms with the legs (typically the far arm threaded between the legs) while controlling the second arm with the hands or shoulder pin — and then places a hand or forearm across the opponent's face, pulling upward to hyperextend the cervical spine. [1],[2] The crucifix eliminates the opponent's ability to use their hands for defense, leaving the face and neck completely exposed to cranking pressure. [1] The attacker can grip under the nose, chin, or forehead and lever the head backward against the trapped body, creating intense spinal extension pressure. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Face cranks from the crucifix position draw from catch wrestling's use of the crucifix as a finishing position, where the immobilization of both arms made the face and neck vulnerable to manipulation. [1],[2] In modern submission grappling, the face crank from crucifix became recognized as a practical option when rear naked choke attempts from the crucifix are defended by chin-tucking. [1] The technique is legal in many no-gi rulesets including ADCC, though face cranks remain controversial due to the spinal injury risk involved. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Highly effective from crucifix position — the opponent's arms are trapped, leaving them unable to defend the face crank. One of the most reliable crucifix finishes [1]
Lineage
The crucifix face crank combines elements from catch wrestling's crucifix system with Japanese jujutsu neck manipulation. Popularized in MMA by fighters like Matt Hughes [1]
Competition Record
Regular finish in MMA and no-gi competition from crucifix position; Matt Hughes and other wrestlers with crucifix expertise have demonstrated its effectiveness [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Compression of the neck structures — restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved — Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector — Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic — Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
The Grovit Neck Crank to Crucifix Neck Crank / Double leg Takedown
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Face Crank From Crucifix·MMA Media
I demonstrate some old school techniques which can be used in pro Grappling events that allow neck crank/locks and pro M…
Face locks / Neck cranks
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Face Crank From Crucifix·AZ Battle School
Caution! Be extremely careful. Only train this with a certified professional. This is for information only.
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The face crank from crucifix is a neck crank submission executed from the crucifix position, wherein the aggressor isolates one or both of the opponent's arms while applying pressure to the face and neck through cervical extension and lateral rotation. Knight Jiu-Jitsu describes the fundamental setup: from crucifix control, the aggressor blocks the opponent's bicep, hooks it with their own bicep to turn the opponent, then scoops behind the neck with the free hand while capturing the trapped arm. The crank is applied by positioning the hand high on the face near the hairline—not low on the neck—and pulling the opponent's head toward the aggressor's body while extending the hips into the opponent, creating severe pressure that traps both arms and prevents escape. MMA Media emphasizes wrist flexion and shoulder pressure combined with hip positioning to maximize submission force, noting the submission can be applied with minimal finger pressure due to the structural advantage. AZ Battle School highlights specific anatomical targets: the orbital ridge (eye socket), bridge of nose, and jawline, explaining that the crank works by pulling the face into the aggressor's "cloud of power"—a position of maximal mechanical advantage—while rotating and collapsing via chest and lat engagement. All three instructors stress the technique's danger: it can cause severe neck injury, jaw dislocation, and prolonged damage if applied without control. Instructors uniformly recommend slow, careful practice with willing partners, early tapping, and awareness of tournament legality restrictions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- MMA Media — The Grovit Neck Crank to Crucifix Neck Crank / Double leg Takedown: Detailed mechanics of crucifix entry, wrist flexion, shoulder pressure, hip positioning, and finishing crank; demonstrated single-finger pressure application and counters when opponent escapes initial hold.
- Knight Jiu-Jitsu — Seven Deadly Neck Cranks | Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling: Comprehensive crucifix face crank setup with arm isolation and bicep hooking; emphasized hand placement high on hairline rather than low on neck; described the submission as part of broader crucifix submission options; credited Jonathan Wilson/Officer Grimey as instructional sources.
- AZ Battle School — Face locks / Neck cranks: Biomechanical framework of face cranks using 'cloud of power' concept; identified specific facial pressure points (orbital ridge, bridge of nose, jawline, chin) and their effectiveness; emphasized sawing motion and chest/lat engagement; addressed self-defense versus sport applications.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The face crank from crucifix applies cervical cranking pressure to the defenceless opponent in the crucifix position — with both arms trapped, the face and head are the only remaining targets (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓The crucifix position: the attacker traps both of the opponent's arms using their legs, leaving the head completely undefended — the hands are unavailable for any defensive action
✓From crucifix: the attacker's arms are free to manipulate the head and face in any direction — lateral rotation (crossface), flexion (chin push), or extension (chin lift)
✓The face crank from crucifix is a compound threat: the crank itself may submit, and the opponent's defensive reactions (turning the head, tucking the chin) expose the neck for chokes
✓The crucifix provides unmatched cranking leverage: with the arms immobilised, every ounce of force applied to the face translates directly to cervical stress — no energy is wasted fighting the hands
✓The face crank from crucifix is a transitional tool: the primary goal is often to open the neck for an RNC or arm-bar rather than to submit with the crank alone
✓In competition: the crucifix face crank is legal in most advanced rule sets but may be restricted at lower belt levels — check the rule set
Common Mistakes
!Using the crucifix face crank purely for pain — it should serve a technical purpose (opening the neck, creating a submission)
!Applying without securing the arm traps — both arms must be immobilised before attacking the face; one free arm can defend
!Targeting the eyes or nose — the jaw and forehead are the cranking surfaces; eye/nose contact is dangerous
!Not maintaining the crucifix throughout — the arm traps require active engagement; they can slip during the face crank application
!Applying explosive cervical manipulation — the crucifix amplifies force; progressive application is essential for safety
!Not transitioning to chokes when the neck opens — the face crank opens the neck; follow immediately with the choke
!Relying on the face crank at all belt levels — some competitions restrict cervical attacks at lower levels; verify the rules
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key hand placement for the face crank from crucifix?
According to Knight Jiu-Jitsu, the placement of the forearm is crucial—you want to position it on the side of the jaw rather than around the neck itself, and use a butterfly grip with your hands to create compression while cranking toward the temple or hairline.
How do I transition from the crucifix face crank if my opponent tries to escape?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu explains that if your opponent passes their arm between your bodies to escape, you can capitalize on that movement by picking them up and converting it into a back take.
Why is neck conditioning important when training neck cranks?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes that regularly defending against neck cranks can cause cumulative neck damage over time, so maintaining neck strength through prehab and rehab exercises is essential for a long jiu-jitsu career.
What makes the crucifix position so effective for neck cranks?
According to Knight Jiu-Jitsu, in the crucifix position both of your opponent's arms are trapped, making it very difficult for them to defend using their upper body—their legs and hips provide minimal help in escaping.
How does the Face Crank From Crucifix work?
The face crank from crucifix is applied when the attacker has secured the crucifix position — trapping one of the opponent's arms with the legs (typically the far arm threaded between the legs) while controlling the second arm with the hands or shoulder pin — and then places a hand or forearm across the opponent's face, pulling upward to hyperextend the cervical spine. The crucifix eliminates the opponent's ability to use their hands for defense, leaving the face and neck completely exposed to cranking pressure.
Where does the Face Crank From Crucifix come from?
Face cranks from the crucifix position draw from catch wrestling's use of the crucifix as a finishing position, where the immobilization of both arms made the face and neck vulnerable to manipulation. In modern submission grappling, the face crank from crucifix became recognized as a practical option when rear naked choke attempts from the crucifix are defended by chin-tucking.
Is the Face Crank From Crucifix legal in competition?
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
How dangerous is the Face Crank From Crucifix?
Danger rating 9/10. Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
How do I set up the Face Crank From Crucifix?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Face Crank From Crucifix?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Face Crank From Crucifix?
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 …).
How effective is the Face Crank From Crucifix in competition?
Regular finish in MMA and no-gi competition from crucifix position; Matt Hughes and other wrestlers with crucifix expertise have demonstrated its effectiveness
What are common mistakes when doing the Face Crank From Crucifix?
Top errors to watch for: Using the crucifix face crank purely for pain — it should serve a technical purpose (opening the neck, creating a sub… / Applying without securing the arm traps — both arms must be immobilised before attacking the face; one free arm can d… / Targeting the eyes or nose — the jaw and forehead are the cranking surfaces; eye/nose contact is dangerous / Not maintaining the crucifix throughout — the arm traps require active engagement; they can slip during the face cran….
What are other names for the Face Crank From Crucifix?
The Face Crank From Crucifix is also known as Feisu Kuranku, Crucifix Face Crank, Crucifix Neck Lock.