What is the infamous ‘Crossface’?
When you are in top side control, cup their head with your hand and start “crossfacing” with your shoulder. Their head should be pointed away from your shoulder. Then drive your shoulder across their neck and jaw.
If done properly it can even be a powerful choke, a bit like the “Von Flue Choke”.
In order to make the technique more effective, turn your body and balance all your weight on their face/neck.
John Kavanagh, Connor McGregor’s coach came up with the term Shoulder of Justice for a powerful crossface.
He tells the story:
Almost 10yrs ago while teaching a seminar at the world famous Dinky Ninjas Gym i was showing how correctly to apply shoulder pressure from side control. My Uke, MMA champion and coach of multiple champions Paul McVeigh actually went unconscious being too polite to interrupt me mid demonstration. That weekend someone quipped it should be called the Shoulder of Justice.
In this video, John Danaher shows how to set up a powerful crossface on order to pass a tough half guard.
Key details:
- Grab deep under the armpit.
- Make them. look away.
- drive forward and connect your elbow to your hip and start passing.
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