Paper Cutter Choke

Submission Gi only

Also known as:

Paper Cutter Paper Cut Choke Bread Cutter Choke Breadcutter Choke Breadcutter Cutter Choke

The Paper Cutter Choke is a gi-based blood choke applied from top positions such as side control or kesa gatame, using a cross-collar grip and a sliding forearm across the throat. It is highly effective because it can be set up subtly while maintaining heavy top pressure, often catching opponents off guard.

Quick Reference

Key principles

· The deep cross-collar grip on the far lapel is the anchor of the choke and must be secured before transitioning to the finish.
· The choking pressure comes from driving the blade of the forearm across the neck while pulling up on the lapel grip, creating a scissoring action.
· Heavy chest-to-chest pressure and hip control prevent the opponent from creating space or turning into you to escape.
· Sprawling the legs back and dropping your weight low amplifies finishing pressure without requiring excessive arm strength.
· Anticipate the opponent framing on your choking arm by pinning their near arm with your knee or trapping it with your body before finishing.

Execution

1 From side control or kesa gatame, feed your near hand deep into the opponent's far lapel, gripping at or below collar level with four fingers inside.
2 Use your free hand to control the opponent's near-side hip or underhook their far arm to prevent escape and frame removal.
3 Slide your free forearm, blade-side down, across the opponent's throat toward the mat on the far side of their neck.
4 Sprawl your hips back and drop your weight while simultaneously pulling up on the lapel grip and pressing the forearm down, creating the scissoring choke.
5 Squeeze and hold, keeping your elbows tight and chest heavy until the tap.

Common mistakes

× Gripping the lapel too shallow near the chest instead of deep at the collar, resulting in a crank rather than a clean blood choke.
× Staying too high on the knees instead of sprawling back, which reduces pressure and allows the opponent to bridge or shrimp out.
× Neglecting to control the opponent's near arm before finishing, allowing them to frame against your choking forearm and relieve pressure.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Paper Cutter Choke shows up.

Kesa Gatame Top Kuzure Kesa Gatame Side Control Top

2 less common

Gift Wrap Scramble Position