The paper cutter choke is one of the nasty and tricky Brazilian jiu-jitsu chokes available today. The advantage of this BJJ choke is that it can be performed from various positions, the most well-known of which is the side control.
Otherwise, the paper cutter choke is used in gi and no-gi BJJ training, and even an experienced fighter will not anticipate it coming. Therefore, you have no excuse not to learn this choke as soon as possible because it is appropriate for students of all skill levels.
As you may know, BJJ is a form of grappling art that revolves around the concept of applying submissions to your opponent.
While there’s a whole dictionary of various armlocks, strangulations, ankle locks, leg locks, and headlocks, it’s a duty for beginners and white belts in BJJ to understand how these techniques work.
There are apparent differences in any given submission’s execution and even positioning if the context is changed from gi to no-gi.
One of the deadliest and most effective chokes prime example of this change is the paper cutter choke.
Let’s take a look at what the paper cutter choke is, how it’s applied in a gi, as well as a no-gi situation.
Paper Cutter Choke in Gi
The gi paper cutter choke is one top effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu That you ought to learn. So, how to perform a paper cutter choke gi BJJ submission?
Start by getting in a suitable position like the side control position, the knee-on-belly, or even the north-south. Then, try to take your right hand, push it under your opponent’s arm (any side), and get an underhook that comes back towards their neck.
This underhook will go straight into the opponent’s arm and turn (if you’re applying it from the North-South) or slide from under the shoulder of your opponent to the back of their neck and grab that gi with your hand, palm facing the gi.
As you’re reaching for the back, make sure that your elbow is connected right next to your chest and is tightly closing your opponent’s hand in, taking care of any escape attempts that they might be thinking of for their trapped arm.
Now that you have your opponent’s Gi in your hand from behind, it’s time to wait for your opponent’s reaction. Like everything about BJJ, things will not always go according to plan, and thus, you need to improvise based on how your opponent reacts.
The complete execution of the choke requires that you take your other hand (left) and get it across your opponent’s neck from under their chin and drop that elbow (left) to the ground.
You can imagine your hands making a gesture similar to conventional paper cutters that work like guillotines. However, your left elbow will not be putting pressure on your opponent.
Instead, it will be turning their head while cutting off all air supply from their windpipe, making it excruciatingly difficult for them to breathe.
However, as discussed above, this might not go that perfectly every time. Your opponent, especially if they know their game, will try and stop you from setting everything up conveniently.
If they try to put a frame against your face, you’ll have no problems finishing the choke and getting the tap.
However, if they start fighting your hands that are setting up the choke, you’ll have a tough time executing it without first taking care of the hindrance.
From here, people usually trick their opponents into giving up their arm for an armbar, but you can also fight their hands off and pull off your paper cutter choke easily.
Paper Cutter Choke No-Gi
Remember the principle of the paper cutter choke as you enter side control. While you won’t have the lapel or the collar to latch your hand on to, you’ll need to make do with reasonable head control. Here’s how.
In most side control positions, your right hand will be under your opponent’s left one.
If not, try to get the underhook and pull your other hand from under your opponent’s neck (if it’s there).
Forcefully slide it through from the side of their neck to get your wrist under their chin. Keep the hand opened at a certain angle to make a V shape with the center at your opponent’s chin.
Now all you need to do is close your hands with a shovel grip and get your left elbow down to the mat.
Advantages Of The Paper Cutter Choke
One of the most notable advantages of implementing the paper cutter choke is getting either a tap or an opening.
While it’s easy to defend a paper cutter choke by rotating your neck towards the side of the one applying the choke, you’re giving your arm away for some more painful submissions.
Like always, almost everything in BJJ depends on individual situations, i.e., the type of opponent you have, their reactions, the time they make it, the BJJ gear you have as options to latch onto, etc.
In every situation, you will have a plethora of options and things you can do to ensure that you retain or change the position in your favor.
From side control alone, you have innumerable advantages and opportunities knocking on your door. Either you’ll get to more dominant like the mount position or getting the tap then and there.
So, keep learning and practicing with a variety of opponents in various situations to expand your experience.
