Paper Cutter Choke: BJJ Gi Choke from Side Control | BJJ App Wiki
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Complete guide to the Paper Cutter Choke — a devastating gi choke from side control using a cross-collar grip.
The Paper Cutter Choke (also called the sliding collar choke or cross-collar choke from side control) is one of the most effective and widely used gi chokes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Executed from side control, it uses the opponent's own gi collar to apply a blood choke to both sides of the neck simultaneously. The choke is named for the shearing, cutting motion of the forearm across the throat — clean and efficient, like a paper cutter.
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Contents
What Is the Paper Cutter Choke?
The Paper Cutter Choke is a gi-specific blood choke applied from side control (or north-south). It works by threading your top arm's hand deep into the opponent's far-side collar while your bottom forearm applies pressure to the near side of the neck. The result is a bilateral carotid compression — both carotid arteries are compressed simultaneously — causing rapid unconsciousness if not tapped.
The choke requires a gi because it relies on the collar lapel as the choking agent for the far-side compression. It is illegal in no-gi formats. In gi BJJ, it is legal for all belt levels and is a staple submission in both training and competition.
How It Works
The Paper Cutter Choke creates a bilateral carotid choke through two simultaneous pressure points:
- Far-side collar grip: Your top hand grips deep into the opponent's far collar (across their throat), palm down, ideally getting 4 fingers deep. This collar is pulled up and across the neck to compress the far carotid.
- Near-side forearm blade: Your bottom forearm (the bony edge of the ulna/radius area) drives across the near side of the opponent's neck, compressing the near carotid.
When both pressures are applied simultaneously and the arms are closed together, the opponent's blood flow to the brain is cut off from both sides. The choke works in seconds and can be very tight — opponents often tap before feeling serious discomfort because the onset is rapid.
Step-by-Step Setup
From Side Control (Standard Entry)
- Establish solid side control with your near-side arm under the opponent's head/neck (not the shoulder).
- Use your top hand to reach across and find the opponent's far collar. Slide your fingers (palm down) deep into the collar — go past the throat to get the grip as deep as possible.
- Once you have a deep collar grip, rotate your wrist so your palm faces down and the collar is pressing against the far carotid artery.
- Bring your top elbow down toward the mat on the far side of their head. This begins the collar pressure.
- Simultaneously, angle your near-side forearm (the bony edge) into the near side of their neck.
- Squeeze both arms together — think of "closing a pair of scissors" across their throat. Your top elbow drives down; your bottom forearm drives in.
- Keep your chest pressure on them to prevent them from turning into you or bridging.
From North-South
The paper cutter can also be applied from north-south position. From north-south, reach back to grab the near collar, slide the grip to the far collar, and apply the same scissoring motion. This variation can be harder to defend as the opponent's arms are less mobile in north-south.
Variations
Bread Cutter Choke
The Bread Cutter Choke is the reverse — the bottom arm grips the collar while the top forearm provides near-side pressure. This variation is often tighter for people with longer arms and can be easier to apply against opponents with strong bridge-and-roll defenses.
Baseball Bat Grip Variation
Some practitioners use a baseball bat choke grip on the collar (both hands on the same collar) to apply the paper cutter. This can add leverage but requires a gi with sufficient slack in the collar.
Transition from Collar Drag or Failed Kimura
If your kimura or americana attempt from side control fails because the opponent pulls their arm close, they often inadvertently create collar access. This is a common entry to the paper cutter that appears seamlessly in flow rolling.
Defense & Counters
- Tuck the chin: As soon as you feel the cross-collar grip, immediately tuck your chin to your chest to prevent the deep collar access. A tucked chin can block the choke entirely.
- Grip fight the collar: Use both hands to fight the cross-collar grip before it is seated deep. Once the grip is deep, stopping the choke becomes much harder.
- Turn into the opponent: Rotating your body toward the passer reduces the collar tension on the far side and creates space to recover guard. Do this early before the choke is tight.
- Bridge toward the choke: A hard bridge toward the choking side can temporarily relieve pressure and create space to escape.
Common Mistakes
- Grip not deep enough: A shallow collar grip will not compress the carotid effectively. Get your fingers deep — past the centerline of the throat if possible.
- Top elbow too high: If your top elbow stays high, the collar pressure disperses. Drive the elbow toward the mat to create the scissors effect.
- Forgetting the bottom forearm: Many beginners apply only the collar pressure and neglect the near-side forearm pressure. Both components are required for the choke to work.
- Losing base: Leaning too far to apply the choke can cause the opponent to roll you. Maintain your hip base on the mat.
⚡ Training Tips
- Practice the collar grip on a dummy or cooperative partner to develop the "deep and past the throat" habit before drilling the full choke.
- Chain it with the kimura — when opponents defend the kimura by pulling the arm in, the paper cutter collar becomes immediately accessible.
- Drill the choke from both standard side control and reverse side control (S-mount entry) to see which angle is more comfortable for your body proportions.
- In competition, disguise the paper cutter setup with head-and-arm control — opponents focused on your chest pressure won't notice the collar grip until it's too late.
- Squeeze with your whole body (close the gap), not just your arms — this multiplies the pressure dramatically.
Yes. The paper cutter choke is a blood choke (carotid compression) and is legal for all belt levels in gi BJJ under IBJJF rules and most other major rulesets. It requires a gi and is not available in no-gi formats.
In the paper cutter, your top (far-side) hand grips the collar while the bottom forearm provides near-side pressure. In the bread cutter, it's reversed — the bottom arm grips the collar while the top forearm provides pressure. Both are bilateral carotid chokes from side control; the choice often depends on body proportions and grip preference.
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Start Free →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn Paper Cutter Choke?
Most practitioners develop functional competency with Paper Cutter Choke within 3–6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery — the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents — typically takes 1–2 years.
Is Paper Cutter Choke effective for beginners?
Yes. Paper Cutter Choke is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.
How often should I drill Paper Cutter Choke?
3–5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time — consistency matters more than volume.
What positions connect to Paper Cutter Choke?
BJJ is a linked system. Paper Cutter Choke flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.