Atlas/Control/Crossface
Control position·Kimura on the near-side arm when opponent pushes to relieve crossface pressure, Arm Triangle transitioning from the crossface grip across the neck, D'Arce Choke threading under the near-side arm

Crossface

Forearm across face - head control, prevent turning

Dominance
70
vs 30
Control depth
Proximal
Controlling
Transitions
14
outbound
Submissions
41
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Top control where forearm or bicep presses across opponent's face and jaw disrupting head position. The pressure prevents them from turning toward you and controls their entire body. This control applies across side control, mount, and other top positions.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Controlling perspective
70 vs 30
Disadvantaged↓ 40Dominant
Control depth · Proximal — Forearm driving across jaw - control head, block turn
Dominance — Escaping perspective
30 vs 70
Disadvantaged↓ -40Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Crossface pressure on you - frame strong, escape head
//02—Concept tags
CONTROLPRESSUREHEAD-CONTROLFUNDAMENTAL
//03—Transitions outbound

14 ways out.

All14transitionsin the App Store↗
Crossface →
Side Control to Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Side Control to Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Side Control to North-South
Chest over head, inverted - heavy pressure, kimura attacks
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Side Control to Back Take
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Crossface to Quarter Mount
One knee over, one alongside - advance to mount, back, s-mount
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Crossface to Shoulder of Justice
Shoulder drives into face - creates pressure, forces reactions, opens submissions
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Controlling
Crossface →
Ghost Escape
Hands and knees, elbows tight - protect neck, escape quickly
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Granby Roll
Unlocked legs - flexible guard system foundation
Type
Scramble
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Crossface to Defensive Shell
Tight protective posture - arms guard neck, wait for escape
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Crossface to Quarter Guard
One leg recovered guard position
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Deep Half Guard Entry
Hip penetration beneath opponent - sweep leverage
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Crossface to Knee Shield
Top leg frames torso - distance control
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
Crossface →
Crossface to Z-Guard
Shin across hip - distance control, sweep setup
Type
Guard recovery
Tier
Core
Perspective
Escaping
//04—Submissions downstream

41 finishes live
from this position.

All41submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Arm Triangle
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-002
Head and Arm Choke
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-003
Katagatame
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-004
Kimura
Controlling
Live
8/10
SUB-005
Americana
Controlling
Watch
7/10
SUB-006
Brabo Choke
Controlling
Watch
7/10
SUB-007
D'Arce Choke
Controlling
Watch
7/10
SUB-008
Armbar
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-009
Neck Crank
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-010
Paper Cutter Choke
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-011
Von Flue Choke
Controlling
Watch
6/10
SUB-012
Bread Cutter Choke
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-013
Crucifix Neck Crank
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-014
Hammerlock
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-015
North-South Choke
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-016
Straight Armlock
Controlling
Long
5/10
SUB-017
Anaconda Choke
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-018
Arm-in Ezekiel
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-019
Prone Armbar
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-020
Cross Collar Choke
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-021
Ezekiel Choke
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-022
Gift Wrap Choke
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-023
Japanese Necktie
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-024
Scarf Hold Armlock
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-025
Short Choke
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-026
Sitting Arm Triangle
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-027
Spine Crank
Controlling
Long
4/10
SUB-028
Arm Crush
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-029
Bicep Slicer
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-030
Gi Tail Choke
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-031
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-032
Guillotine Choke
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-033
Inverted Armbar
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-034
Mir Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-035
Peruvian Necktie
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-036
Reverse Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-037
Straight Wristlock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-038
Top Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-039
Wrist Lock
Controlling
Long
3/10
SUB-040
Baratoplata
Controlling
Long
2/10
SUB-041
Tarikoplata
Controlling
Long
2/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Control85
Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
9 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control82
Knee on Belly
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
13 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control84
North-South
Chest over head, inverted - heavy pressure, kimura attacks
8 ↗ transitionsControlling
Control82
Back Control
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
7 ↗ transitionsControlling
// Crossface · Control

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Crossface in Grapla for the full detail block, all 14 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store