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Paper Cutter Choke

SubmissionGi choke from side controlBelt: blue+Risk: lowIBJJFNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The Paper Cutter Choke is a powerful gi submission applied from top side control using a cross-collar grip and a chopping motion with the far hand. It is highly effective due to its speed, leverage, and the difficulty opponents have in defending once the grips are set. Mastery of this choke adds a high-percentage finishing threat to your side control arsenal.

Start
Top side control
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Cross-face control · Establishing a deep collar grip · Blocking hip escape

Steps

  1. 1
    Secure the Cross-Collar Grip
    From top side control, use your cross-face arm to reach under your opponent's head and grip deep into the far collar with your thumb inside, palm facing down. Aim to get your hand as close to the back of their neck as possible for maximum leverage.
  2. 2
    Block the Near-Side Hip
    With your free hand, post your forearm across the opponent’s near-side hip, palm down on the mat, to prevent them from bridging or turning in. Keep your elbow tight to their hip for control.
  3. 3
    Slide Knee to North-South Angle
    Shift your body to a more north-south orientation by sliding your knee up towards their head, making your chest heavy on their upper torso. This angle increases the effectiveness of the choke and limits their defensive options.
  4. 4
    Feed the Chopping Hand
    With your hip-blocking hand, reach across your opponent’s neck, palm down, and slide your hand under their jaw towards the far side, just above their shoulder. Your forearm should be perpendicular to their neck, like a paper cutter blade.
  5. 5
    Grip the Opponent’s Far Lapel
    Grab the far side of their gi lapel or shoulder fabric with your chopping hand, keeping your wrist straight and fingers strong. This grip stabilizes the choke and prevents the opponent from turning away.
  6. 6
    Apply the Choke
    Drop your chopping elbow towards the mat, using a slicing motion across their neck while pulling with your cross-collar grip. Drive your weight through your chest and sprawl your hips to increase pressure.
  7. 7
    Finish and Adjust
    If resistance is felt, adjust your cross-collar grip deeper or shift your weight more north-south. Maintain tight chest-to-chest pressure and keep your chopping arm rigid for maximum cutting force.

Key details most people miss

  • The cross-collar grip must be as deep as possible—shallow grips drastically reduce choke pressure.
  • Angle your body north-south to maximize the slicing effect and minimize space for the opponent’s chin to defend.
  • Keep your chopping forearm bone directly under the opponent’s jaw, not across the throat, for a faster tap.
  • Drive your weight through your chest, not your arms, to avoid burning out your grip strength.

Common mistakes

  • If you grip the collar shallow, the opponent can easily survive or escape before the choke is effective.
  • If you leave space between your chest and their shoulder, the opponent can insert their hand or chin to block the choke.
  • If you fail to block the near-side hip, the opponent can bridge or shrimp to escape side control.
  • If your chopping arm is bent or loose, the choke loses leverage and the opponent can turn into you.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent frames on your biceps to block the chopping arm.
You do: Circle your chopping hand around their frame, pin their wrist to the mat, and reattempt the chop with a tighter elbow angle.
They try: Opponent bridges and turns into you to create space.
You do: Slide your knee higher towards their head and sprawl your hips, reestablishing chest pressure and blocking their hip.
They try: Opponent tucks their chin tightly to defend the neck.
You do: Use your chopping forearm to lift their chin gently before dropping the elbow and slicing for the choke.
They try: Opponent grabs your chopping arm to prevent the finish.
You do: Switch to a baseball bat choke or transition to mount if their grip persists.

Drill prescription

5 rounds × 3 minutes; 50% resistance; goal: 5 clean finishes per round with partner giving realistic defense (chin tuck, frames, bridging).

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
Saulo Ribeiro — Emphasizes deep collar grip and north-south angle for maximum leverage and control.Roger Gracie — Focuses on heavy chest pressure and precise, slow application for high-percentage finishes.Bernardo Faria — Teaches the paper cutter as a staple from pressure side control, highlighting grip transitions and weight distribution.Leandro Lo — Known for explosive entry into the choke from dynamic passing, using speed and timing to catch opponents off guard.
#gi#side-control#submission#collar-choke#top-position#pressure-passing#medium-build#ibjjf-legal#control-based#north-south-angle