PAPER CUTTER CHOKE

The paper cutter choke is the canonical gi-specific blood choke from side control, in which the attacker uses the opponent's far-side lapel as the structural choking surface while the attacker's near-side forearm presses against the opposite side of the opponent's neck, producing a scissor-like compression that closes both carotids. The 'paper cutter' name describes the scissoring action between the lapel and the forearm — like the blade and base of an office paper cutter closing.

The mechanics begin from established side control with the attacker's chest pressing the opponent's chest. The attacker reaches across the opponent's body with the far-side hand and grips the opponent's far-side lapel deep behind the opponent's neck, palm facing the opponent's body. The attacker's near-side forearm is positioned across the opposite side of the opponent's neck (typically the cross-face position). The finish comes from pulling the far-side lapel grip toward the attacker while simultaneously driving the cross-face forearm down across the neck. The combined motion produces the scissor compression around the neck that closes both carotids.

The paper cutter is foundational pedagogically and is taught at every academy with a gi competitive focus. Notable practitioners include Lucas Lepri, Bernardo Faria, and Roger Gracie. The technique pairs particularly well as a side-control attack chain — it threatens immediately when the opponent's far arm exposes the lapel for grip, and forces defensive reactions that frequently open subsequent attacks (mount transition, kimura, armbar). Defensively the paper cutter is escaped by maintaining strong cross-face frame to prevent the lapel grip from consolidating, by tucking the chin to deny carotid access during the compression, or by bridging laterally to create space and disrupt the scissor geometry.