The crucifix position is powerful, as you can disable one of your opponent’s arms using your legs. The neck is now vulnerable for the choke.
The Japanese name for the variation in the video below is jigoku jime – translated as “Hell Strangle”. This choke is very powerful, as you are able to apply a lot of pressure downwards with your thigh while pulling hard with the collar grip.
The explanation for the name “Hell Strangle” was described by an old judo book:
The name evolves from the feeling of helplessness the victim of the hold has when he is trapped, a feeling comparable to that one might experience were he to fall to the sulfurous lower regions.
Happy training!
