The paper cutter choke is a submission used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that relies on grabbing the collar of the opponent from side control. By positioning your hands correctly and trapping the opponent, you can then submit people by using this method.
Generally, this isn’t the most common choke in BJJ – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth learning. If learned correctly, this sneaky choke can often creep up on people who don’t suspect it. It’s always good to have another attack in your arsenal, and the paper cutter is exactly that.
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How to set up the paper cutter choke
Arguably, this is the most important part to learn if you’re wanting to learn the paper cutter choke. Like all submissions, control is key and you’ll need to put a few things in place before you commit to this choke. With this in mind, you’ll need to pay extra attention to this part.
Firstly, you’ll need to have secured side control properly. There’s no point attempting this choke whilst in transition and you’ll need to have the opponent pinned properly before you proceed. Once this is done, you’ll need to take care of the arms of the opponent. Usually, a good BJJ practitioner will have their one arm under your chin acting as a frame.
If you don’t replace this frame then you can’t choke them as it blocks your wrist from entering their far collar. Sometimes, people will go to north south to remove this arm out of the way before continuing. Also, if you can get the MMA crucifix on the nearside arm (trapping it with your leg) then this will also help.
Once this is done, you’ll want to put your arm that is furthest away from the opponent into their nearside collar. This may feel awkward at first as it almost twists your arm and doesn’t feel natural. The point is that your hand should go in the collar with your fingers in the jacket, and your thumb out. This arm should act as a blocker to stop the opponent from turning in and relieving pressure from the choke.
Remember, this arm threads through their arm on the floor before entering the collar, almost as if you’re doing an arm drag and continuing to the collar.
With this in place, you’ll then want to use your free arm to reach into the far part of the collar. If their chin is tucked, then you can dig under it by making your hand replicate a blade. Once this is done, you can grab the gi with your fingers, where your thumb is visible on the outside of the collar.
How to finish the paper cutter choke
Once this is all set up, it should be relatively easy to finish and most of the time it’s the start of the choke that is the most difficult. Of course, remember to have good pressure throughout to stop your opponent from escaping. The less space means the less they can move about and start to defend and escape.
When the grips are locked in, make sure your grips are deep so they don’t come loose or burn out. At this point, with your forearm blade of the far arm, you’ll then want to move your elbow towards you. With this done, you’ll start to cut off the blood supply of the carotid artery and by the time your elbow is properly facing you, the opponent should have tapped out. As the other hand is blocking the other side of their face, they’ll be trapped and will have to tap.
One key thing to note is that this choke is not meant to be an air choke. In many ways, it is like a baseball choke done in reverse. In theory, you could just smash your forearm bone into the throat of the opponent and use it as a windpipe choke. However, this move is less efficient and may take longer to finish. With the correct blood choke technique, the finish should come on cleanly and smoothly.
How to defend the paper cutter choke?
Firstly, the more you train, the better your defense will naturally improve against the paper cutter choke. In this case, the first instance is to grip fight like your life depends on it. If you lose the grip fights against a skilled opponent, they will make you pay for it. As you’re taught early on, never let someone get grips in your collar as you will pay for it.
This is why it’s important to block your far collar from getting gripped in. For the near side collar, you may have little control over the opponent establishing a grip. However, if the second, far grip is obtained then you’re in deep trouble. This means you should try to keep your frame which should act as a blocker against the paper cutter from getting deeper.
If both grips are in place, then you’re more likely to submit and be careful you don’t get choked unconscious. Like the baseball choke, these collar grips can set in quickly. Having said this, there is one potential way to escape.
If possible, you can bring both of your hands inwards between their choking arm and break their grip. You can do this by doing the prayer motion with your hands to try and get under their hand and alleviate pressure. Then, you can quickly try and turn inwards to completely remove the choking pressure. Remember, this isn’t always possible and if the grip is too deep, you probably won’t escape. However, it’s better than nothing.
Can you do the paper cutter choke in no gi?
This is a commonly asked question but although you technically can do the paper cutter choke in no gi, it’s not really high percentage. It’s kind of like asking whether you can do a baseball choke in no gi. Technically you can with the correct grip, but it’s made way harder without the gi to grip on to. In fact, it’s probably more difficult than a baseball choke as your one hand goes behind their head, as opposed to both being on the side of the neck.
If you look around long enough and play with grips such as the S grip then you may be able to choke someone with a no gi paper cutter choke. This is still unlikely unless there’s a big skill or strength gap as it’s still very difficult to pull off without a gi.
Is the paper cutter choke good against higher belts?
Statistically, the paper cutter choke isn’t seen that much at black belt level. So, why is this and does it mean that it’s not worth learning? Firstly, we’re talking about elite level gi competitors here, so for your average black belt or someone in the gym, it’s certainly worth learning.
Secondly, the issue with the paper cutter at the highest levels is probably that black belts will naturally defend it well. If caught in side control, a black belt is likely to keep their frame under your neck. This instantly cuts down most paper cutter entries before they’ve even begun.
Fear not, you can still use the threat of the paper cutter to set up other attacks, and if they’re determined to keep their frame then it probably means that you can attack other areas of their body instead or transition to better positions.
This means that the paper cutter will work on skilled opponents – but in all honesty, it’s easier to hit on lower belts if we’re talking in terms of percentages.
Conclusion
Overall, the paper cutter choke is a good choke that is worth learning. If you’re already well versed with the baseball choke, then you’ll probably be naturally decent at using the paper cutter too. As it happens, the pair both have similar finishing mechanics as well as entries.
In conclusion, the paper cutter is worth learning if you’re serious about the gi and it’s always good to have a variety of attacks that you can rely on. Due to its sneaky nature, it can catch a lot of people out so try it today!
