Back Crucifix Armlock
Chain finish · Back Control
A straight armlock: the arm trapped by your legs is bent backward over your thigh. It comes from the back crucifix when he keeps that arm straight and stiff so you cannot fold it. Slide your leg lock down toward his wrist so the back of his elbow rests on your thigh, and turn his palm so the elbow points into the thigh; your other arm keeps his second arm wrapped and his back tight to your chest. Then extend your legs and push your hips up into the elbow: the thigh is the fulcrum and your legs drive the forearm the other way. With the lock still above the elbow you only squeeze the arm. The elbow is straight from the start, so it breaks fast: extend slowly and release on the tap.
How to do it
- Hold the back crucifix: your legs locked on one of his arms, your other arm wrapping his second arm, your chest tight to his back. When he keeps the leg-trapped arm straight and stiff, use it instead of fighting it.
- Slide your leg lock down from his upper arm toward his forearm, keeping the arm straight, until the back of his elbow rests across your thigh.
- With your free hand turn his wrist so the elbow points into your thigh. Sideways, the elbow only bends; facing the thigh, it can be straightened past its range.
- Keep his back on your chest and his second arm wrapped. If he turns in to you, the elbow rolls off your thigh.
- Extend your legs and lift your hips into the elbow, slowly. The thigh is the fulcrum, and your legs drive his forearm the other way.
Key details
- The elbow must sit on your thigh. With the lock above the elbow you squeeze the arm but nothing bends.
- The elbow points into your thigh. Turned sideways, the joint bends the natural way and the lock is lost.
- Chest to his back. The crucifix is what keeps the arm in line while you extend.
- If he bends the arm to save the elbow, the neck is open again: go back to the back crucifix choke.
- A short version: take the inside foot out, cross your ankles over his wrist and push your heels toward the mat, with your hips as the fulcrum behind his elbow.
Common mistakes
- Extending with the lock above the elbow. — The thigh presses the upper arm and there is no fulcrum at the joint. — Slide the lock toward the wrist until you feel the elbow on your thigh.
- Ignoring the direction of the elbow. — With the elbow sideways the arm bends or the pressure goes into the shoulder. — Turn the wrist with your free hand before you extend.
- Letting his back slide off your chest. — He turns in and the elbow rolls off the thigh. — Keep his second arm wrapped and your chest glued to his back.
How to drill it
Your partner sits in your back crucifix with the trapped arm straight. Slide the lock down, turn the wrist and extend lightly to the first pressure five times on each side; then he alternates bending the arm, when you switch to the choke, and keeping it straight.
Safety
Both his arms are pinned, so agree on a verbal tap or a foot tap before you drill it. The elbow is straight from the start: extend slowly and release at any signal.