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This website is about Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ). I'm a black belt who started in 2006, teaching and training at Artemis BJJ in Bristol, UK. All content ©Can Sönmez

14 September 2015

14/09/2015 - Teaching | Side Control | Breadcutter Choke

Teaching #388
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 14/09/2015

The breadcutter choke can be set up in various ways. The way I first learned was moving towards north-south from side control. They will then often reach past your hip, which leaves a space for you to reach under their armpit and clamp it to your side. That means their arm is stuck between your side and your arm. Move back to side control, then with the hand of that clamping arm, grab behind their neck, gripping in the middle of the collar. Cinch that in.

You can also move into north-south, secure that for a moment, then reach back to get the collar grip. Either way, when you have that grip, walk back into side control. I like to use Xande's version to finish, as it feels a bit 'cleaner' than some of the others. Rather than turning their head to press into the side of the neck, he grips across to the far collar while they are still facing up. The hand needs to be far enough up that it doesn't cause the arm to squish the windpipe, but low enough to keep the gi tight. Drop your elbow, close to where your first hand is gripping. You then pry their head back with your elbow for the submission.

Another handy aspect of this technique is that it will work when your opponent does the classic white belt death grip over the back defence. As both their arm are up over your back, that leave your free to establish both your grips, as they aren't defending their neck. With the arm that goes over the neck, keep your elbow tight to your side. Xande starts from a position where both his knees are in. When he sprawls back on the leg nearest their legs, it enables his body to smoothly turn with his elbow still by his side, settling right into the choke.

In Saulo's version, as you move back around to side control, move your free arm back towards you, then use that to turn their head away from you. This feels counter-intuitive, as you'd expect to drag that arm back and turn their head towards you. However, you want to expose the near side of their neck. So, bring your arm back, then drive it over their jawline, turning their head away. Grip their far collar with your free hand (this might require balancing on their chest, turned towards their head, which should also help keep them pinned to the mat), then put your forearm into the exposed side of their neck.

To finish, you need to create some pressure into their neck, in order to close off the artery. Turn towards their legs, in a sort of reverse scarf hold position, then use that base from your legs to lower yourself gradually into their neck, keeping your initial gi grip tight. Be careful, as this can come on quickly and it isn't very comfortable.
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Teaching & Sparring Notes: This felt like it went pretty well, no major issues that I could see. What I need to work out is a smooth transition into the other three attacks connected to this (north-south kimura, near side armbar and far side armbar). I had a go in sparring, but then I also still have that problem of being too wary of losing position. I'm getting closer though, locking up the far arm to look for the kimura/armbar. There will be plenty of time to test that out on Wednesday. ;)

I also added a new drill, or rather a modification to an old drill. I want people to start thinking about blocking the cross-face, as well as setting up their defence during transitions. Hence why I tried doing the usual side control escape drill, but using the Jeff Rockwell frame to block the cross face. I will keep on building that up and see if it makes any difference. I'm also beginning to include some more posture breaking drills from guard, pulling out their elbows then bringing your knees in.

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