Paper Cutter

The Paper Cutter is a powerful gi-based choke that mimics the motion of cutting paper with scissors. It uses the opponent’s collar and your forearm to create intense pressure on the neck, resulting in a blood choke. This submission is effective from dominant top positions and is known for its sneaky setups.

Key Concepts

Collar Control

  • One of your hands grips the opponent’s collar deep under their neck.

Forearm Pressure

  • The other hand drives across the opponent’s neck, using your forearm as a blade.

Angles and Leverage

  • Proper body positioning is crucial for maximizing pressure.

Execution Steps

Set Up the Collar Grip

  • From a dominant top position like Side Control or Mount, use one hand to grip the opponent’s far-side collar deep under their neck. This grip should be palm-up and as close to the back of their neck as possible.

Establish Forearm Placement

  • With your free hand, slide your forearm across the opponent’s throat. The blade of your forearm (the bony edge) will press against their neck.

Position Yourself for Leverage

  • Drop your weight onto the opponent to pin them down. Use hip movement to adjust your angle, ensuring maximum pressure on their neck.

Finish the Choke

  • Pull down on the collar with your gripping hand while simultaneously driving your forearm downward and across their neck. Your forearm and the collar should work together to cut off blood flow on both sides of the neck.

Common Entries

From Side Control

  • Once you've secured control, isolate their upper body and sneak your collar grip under their neck.

From Mount

  • Use the threat of other submissions (e.g., Armbar, Americana) to force them to expose their neck, allowing you to set up the Paper Cutter.

From Knee on Belly

  • Apply pressure with your knee to make the opponent focus on escaping, giving you the opportunity to secure the collar grip and transition into the choke.

During Transitions

  • While passing guard or during scrambles, a loose lapel or open collar can provide opportunities to initiate the choke.

Tips for Success

Tight Grips

  • Ensure the collar grip is deep and secure to prevent the opponent from defending effectively.

Pressure

  • Use your body weight to pin the opponent, preventing them from escaping.

Control Their Hips

  • If they can move their hips, they may escape the choke.

Disguise Your Setup

  • Threaten other attacks to make them focus elsewhere, leaving their neck vulnerable.
Warning

The Paper Cutter choke requires precision and control. If poorly executed, it may give the opponent room to escape or counter. Always maintain solid positional hierarchy and stay mindful of your Fundamentals/Base.

Positioning

The Paper Cutter is most effective when you maintain tight connections, control the opponent’s hips, and apply consistent pressure throughout the setup and execution. Proper angle adjustment and grip fighting are key to ensuring the choke is tight and inescapable.

Side Control

  • This is the most common position for the Paper Cutter. With proper pressure and weight distribution, you can isolate the opponent’s neck and secure the collar grip.

North South

  • Transitioning to or from North South offers an opportunity to access the opponent's far-side collar for the setup.

Knee on Belly

  • While applying pressure from Knee on Belly, you can reach for the far-side collar and slide your forearm across the neck to finish the choke.

Mount

  • From mount, especially high mount, you can access the collar and create the necessary angle to complete the choke.

Technical Mount

  • If the opponent turns to their side while defending, the collar often becomes accessible, making it easier to set up the Paper Cutter.

During a Guard Pass

  • While passing guard, especially during Toreando or Guard Passes/Knee Cut, the opponent’s lapel may become exposed, allowing you to transition directly into the choke.

Scramble Situations

  • In dynamic exchanges, you may find opportunities to secure the collar grip and establish the choke before the opponent can recover.

Failed Submission Transitions

  • After a failed submission attempt like an Armbar or Kimura, you can switch to the Paper Cutter by maintaining control of the collar and applying the choke.

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