Key Takeaways
- A No-Gi DVD offering catch-wrestling versions of the crucifix positions that are very applicable to BJJ
- Features front and back side crucifix attacks, centered around quick and brutal catch wrestling submission holds.
- Covers entries against the referee’s position, as well as crucifix options from guard.
- BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
CATCH WRESTLING KILLER CRUCIFIX JOHN POTENZA DVD GET HERE
FUL LTRAILER: Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza DVDWhenever I come across a catch wrestling DVD to review, I am stoked to check out what crazy shortcuts it will introduce to my BJJ. With my focus being intensely directed to the crucifix lately, the Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza crucifix DVD offered revelations rather than ideas.
It seems that catch wrestling was the go-to source for figuring out how to best utilize this super-effective position that you can use to annoy everyone into submission. Moreover, one of the most experienced grapplers in the world, coach Potenza, delivers a mixed version of the position using his grappling knowledge from various sports to come up with the ultimate crucifix gameplan.
A Different Kind of Crucifix
The crucifix is arguably one of the most underrated positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This highly effective alternative to traditional back control fell behind as the craziness of guards spread like wildfire in the late 2010s. Paired with the fact that it doesn’t earn any points, the crucifix never recovered its surge since then.
That does not make the position useless, though, not by any stretch of the imagination. Just the opposite. Grapplers around the globe still develop very successful gameplans around it, from recreational blue belts to UFC fighters such as Gillian Robertson.
Well, it seems that the crucifix might be yet another position the BJJ borrowed directly from catch wrestling. I never knew that it was so big in this aspect of wrestling until I took a look at the John Potenza Catch Wrestling DVD. Since the crucifix has been my go-to position for the past couple of years, you can take my word for it that this DVD delivers, and then some.
John Potenza is a Very Scary Grappler
Some people in this world just know how to grapple. They can stand, they can roll on the ground, they can submit, and they’re almost impossible to catch and keep hold of. Those people are usually not ones that only train in one grappling sport, but rather those that mix them up.
Well, Coach John Potenza has spent a lifetime of mixing grappling (and a few striking) sports and martial arts together. He has over forty years of experience in BJJ, Catch Wrestling, Judo, Military Combatives, Muay Thai, Kemp, Iaido, Excrima, Kali, and many others.
The best part is that he does not claim to be an expert or black belt in each of them, but rather, he enjoys being the best at the combination he has made out of these arts. Very Bruce Lee-like.
Currently, the owner and head coach of Old School Grappling Catch Wrestling Association, and a co-founder of Snake Pit USA, the CSW instructor is a very sought-after coach by pro fighters and grapplers alike. For a taste of what he offers, check out his John Potenza Crucifix DVD – you won’t regret it!
Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza DVD Review
The Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza crucifix DVD is a one-volume catch-wrestling instructional focusing on the crucifix position. It covers several variations of the crucifix, and numerous uses during the hour-long demonstration delivered by coach John Potanza:
Section 1 – Pirates Crucifux
The pirate’s crucifix is what people in BJJ would refer to as the top, or side control, crucifix. It’s just a crucifix done from the front, and apparently, it is a big deal in catch wrestling. As the Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza crucifix DVD begins, the focus is on this variation, with all the neck cranks, muscle slicers, knee locks, and other brutal submissions you can imagine.
Some completely crazy cradle variations, such as the Night Ride Fujiwara Cradle, are also available from the Pirate Crucifix, connecting top pins such as side control and mount in a way BJJ never could.
Section 2 – Full Crucifix
The full crucifix is a more common territory for BJJ grapplers, even though the options that coach Potenza offers are far from what we’re used to seeing, especially with the Gi. The focus is on entries and submissions, covering the two key end ranges of the crucifix.
Submission-wise, you get to learn how to tap people with shoulder locks, triangles, neck cranks, crazy throat chokes, and, best of all, combinations of the above. The entries cover getting to the crucifix from the back using the guard, pinning positions and transitions, and attaching to the arms either with your entire body or only using your arms and torso.
Section 3 – Body Scissors Half Crucifix
A very cool thing appearing for a little bit in this John Potenza crucifix DVD is the body scissors position, which is essentially an amped up version of the 100% sweep. Of course, it involves neck cranking, but then again, this is a catch wrestling DVD. The crucifying, body scissoring and neck cranking leads to sweeps, by the way.
Section 4 – Referee Position
A very useful skill for BJJ players appears toward the end of this insturctional, as Potenza offers different ways to jump on the crucifix and get a mat return with an opponent in the referee’s position. Since the modern turtle game in BJJ relies heavily on this position, this is a very welcome way of evening the playing field against defensive experts.
Tapping Into Catch Wrestling for BJJ
I have been an advocate for catch wrestling in BJJ since I became aware of how effective it is. You can trace that back to some of Neil Melanson’s earliest instructionals. While we’ve seen more and more catch wrestling pour into BJJ lately, it’s nowhere near the potential that his crazy submission sport has to offer.
The thing to remember when trying to cross-train, or simply introduce different grappling concepts to BJJ is that you’re not leaving BJJ to catch wrestle, and then coming back to BJJ all in the same roll. Instead, think about how integrating moves, concepts, or ideas from other grappling combat sports can help your Jiu-Jitsu game, not how they can replace parts of it.
The Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza crucifix DVD is not a pure catch wrestling instructional. Coach Potenza is highly experienced in different aspects of grappling, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So, while not everything in this DVD fits the restrictive rules of BJJ, everything is definitely highly applicable to submission grappling and very easy to pick up on.
DOWNLOAD HERE: JOHN POTENZA CRUCIFIX DVD
Say ‘Uncle’!
Time to annoy the people in your gym, and, if you’re unlucky enough to be in a traditional gym where people roll following IBJJF rules, make your instructor pull their hair out. Who cares as long as you get the tap, right? The Catch Wrestling Killer Crucifix John Potenza Crucifix DVD will make you a force to be reckoned with, and not just from the back – it also covers front-side pinning and quick finishes.
