I'm sure this has been asked before, but I have been training no gi jiujitsu for a few years on and off now. i did start with the gi when i first began training, which i felt built good fundamentals and i'm glad i started that way. no gi is obviously more natural to me now. i am now transitioning back to jiujitsu with the gi, which i am beginning to enjoy but definitely struggling a little bit with getting used to being grabbed and pulled. i'd like to leave this open to other forum members that can offer input on ways to transition back to jiujitsu with the gi. links, intructionals you recommend, or just general advice would be great. thanks.
When in doubt, bring your hands up to your neck and keep your elbows in tight - defend the lapelle.
Be mindful of your opponents second hand when youre in his guard. The first, not so much, but watch that second hand and protect from it (ie: hand on bicept).
Instructionals: #1 Saulo #2 Maia
Part of it will just be time in. I went my first 3 years without the gi. When I transitioned to the gi,it took about a year to be completely comfortable with it. Once it stopped feeling like a straight jacket and I knew what to expect, I noticed it improved both sides of my game.
Don't worry about your experience no gi. Don't tell the guy that taps you, "Man I suck with the gi" or "I never get tapped in No Gi". Leave your ego out of it and learn everything you can. It will all come together.
Above all else, just be patient!
It will seem more difficult to escape things with the gi which in turn will cause you to ask more questions and seek answers to exact technique, making you more tecnical. Where w/out the gi you can depend on being slippery and strong to get out.
Enjoy the ride. And remember, hopefully you're planning on still training into your 70s and 80s, so train smart, learn as much as you can with the gi (it's actually a never ending process)and enjoy the journey itself, everyday, rather than trying to get to a location.
Just with time and patience. You have to look for the grips, so you slow down. Once you get the feel of the grips, and how you can manipulate your opponents weight with them, it makes everything so much easier. Just keep training, rolling, and it'll come.
it will def slow your game down BIG TIME but u will adjust with time :)
"training in a gi develops attributes that you do not develope otherwise: patience, sensitivity and escapes. "
--
VERY FITTING n couldnt have said it better myself
this was a statement from Jayhof from the "Forrest Griffin trains with gi" thread
"training in a gi develops attributes that you do not develop otherwise: patience, sensitivity, timing and it helsp your escapes."
Brian Harner added "timing" and he's right. I dropped the "e" from develop . . . and, well, escapes are not an attribute, so here is the new motto . . . no one is perfect.
(Thanks for the compliment.)
What about switching back and forth from gi to no gi?
I train both and go through bouts of near exclusivity with one or the other. I think its good to train both. It changes it up and makes it fun.....