From the side of the turtle, wedge your near knee inside their elbow, capture the arm between your legs, and roll them into the crucifix — both of their arms neutralized.
Transition · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt
Starts from Turtle as the attacking player → lands in Crucifix.
The details that make it work
Slide the near knee inside their posted elbow and pinch the arm between your thighs.
Control the far wrist with your hands, then roll over your shoulder toward their head.
Land perpendicular behind them: one of their arms in your legs, the other in your hands.
Where it goes wrong
Trapping the arm without hand control on the other side — they simply posture up and pull the arm free.
How opponents counter it
Pull the elbow to the ribs the moment a knee touches it
Base wide and refuse the roll
Is the Crucifix Entry legal in competition?
Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.