Also, the leg lock game is pretty deep and interesting to figure out.
They make both chocolate and vanilla flavors for a reason.
True. Another thing (which doesn’t help with the excitement part) is that I can’t imagine getting to black belt (which I’m not) without a decent no gi game.
Dammit. I was just settling into the idea that I’ll change my schedule so that I can do only gi classes but you hit a note with your post. I should probably do both.
This is a good answer.
It sounds pretentious, but there is a strong argument for striving to be a complete martial artist. That’s not necessarily being a MMA fighter, but it involves a basic to intermediate understanding of a wide variety of both sport and street techniques.
This will certainly involve training both gi, and no gi.
1 Like
It’ll make your offensive grappling better. If you’ve been exclusive gi, there’s a decent chance you’re overly reliant on grips for maintaining control.
More sweat, less friction and a squirmy opponent tightens your game right up.
I’ve mentioned this in other threads, but no-gi feels “more honest” compared to gi. Too much esoteric sport stuff with the gi.
And I get it, it’s totally a preference thing. I like my jiu-jitsu to be more functional for MMA or self-defense, even though I have no plans for either.
1 Like
Lots more movement in no-gi. You’ll get in better shape. Also the wrestling aspect of it makes it fresh, almost like training in a different sport. Leg locking is an interesting art all by itself but in no-gi I concentrate on getting the back and strangling.
1 Like
Strength shouldnt really matter. Base does so that will help.
As a 30 year strict gi guy who never did no gi but in the last 2 years has become obsessed with no gi, here are my insights as to why I prefer no gi (keeping in mind I will always enjoy training in the gi - my training these days is 3x a week no gi, 1x a week gi)
-
Im a third degree black belt but to me there was something very liberating and exciting about starting over again. My students respect me a lot for leading by example. A lot of BJJers say “you shouldnt have an ego” but these are the same guys that will fight to the death before they tap. With leglocks you have to tap. A good way to lead by example to other students that you truly learn by failing
-
the fitness component is greater in no gi. Much more movement and mobility. You will get into better shape
-
attack/defend at the same time - this dynamic is the crack rock of no gi. Esp where leglocks are concerned. After a good gi session, my body is spent. After a good no gi session my body is fine but my mind is spent. Its an amazing feeling
-
Joint and muscle pain is virtually nil after a no gi session. Because Ive been doing this so long, a tough gi session tears up my joints and hips and back. I have had significantly less back pain doing no gi because the grind and grip control is almost gone. I feel like switching to no gi will extend my competitive life on the mat by a decade
-
This is where the BJJ trend is going so speaking as an instructor, I am positioning myself well because mainstream people are starting to get exposure to people like Danaher and Gordon via popular podcasts like Lex and Rogan, and young practitioners want no gi. I get a lot of people looking to try classes that want only no gi.
-
The playing field is more level. It is easier to hang with higher belts in no gi. This enriches the training experience. Escapes and defense are easier.
I do think that the gi is essential to any program and fun but things are changing.
6 Likes
I need to check bjj ground more often. Bear in mind that all of what I’m saying is only meant to apply on good people, not “well I can do x to white belts”
Biggest difference is the number of meaningful controls and how difficult they are to attain. Certain positions are artificially overvalued or devalued as a result. Standing passing is much more viable because pants grips allow a far greater degree of control than any kind of no gi distance leg grip like Lego man hands.
Butterfly guard is artificially improved by how much easier it is collar and tricep grips from distance to encourage pressure leading to sweeps, and also the best pass for butterfly (bodylocks) are much harder in the gi. But grounded kani basami becomes nearly impossible with the friction of gi pants.
If you’re going to play guard in no gi you damn sure better have strong hands and technical grip fighting. You’ll have to earn every solid connection, and it’s why juice monkey college wrestlers can give fits to gi black belts in no gi. Getting overhooks, underhooks, pinch headlocks, arm drags to make connection is arguably the tier 1 skill of no gi guard play.
Body locks work better in no gi in my opinion because it’s very hard to shoot to a proper tight waist with the get in the way.
Side control is much more useful in the gi.
Don’t be afraid of leg locks. Buy Eddie Cummings digitsu instructional and drill the last 2 drills (the cross ashi heel slip, turnout escape to your own cross ashi, and the sister drill for double outside ashi) over and over with a competent blue belt with progressive resistance and in a month you’ll be unafraid of even the spazziest leg locker. And if you think you know a better heel hook escape than that (the heel slip) or defense (Eddie’s hip-knee-heel line one), you’re wrong and you need to do it more.
1 Like
Have fun switching it up and learning different styles. Can get boring just doing the same things over and over. Variety is the spice of life?
2 Likes
If you like GI so much, what’s wrong with that? Do what you like, and you are more likely to have fun.
Nogi opens up not just leg locks, but a lot of chokes that are not practical in the gi.
1 Like
and back takes!
1 Like
The exciting thing to me is the ability to transition. The movement is addictive and allows creativity that is very satisfying.
3 Likes
True, but I would say the opposite is way more true.
My back attack is meh no-gi but formidable with the gi on. If you can’t get a tigh figure four of the waist consistently, it’s really hard to have a dominant back game no-gi. Hooks alone is rarely enough unless you can flatten them out on their stomach, but that’s essentially a checkmate anyway.
2 Likes
frickin nailed it right there. Well said!
1 Like
Yeah turtling and 4 pointing to stand up is doable in no-gi, it’s a huge risk of getting strangled with the gi.
2 Likes
I was thinking more along the lines of guillotines of all variations, darces, anacondas, short chokes, etc.
I guess i should call them strangles also, or another hair will fall off of Danaher’s head
2 Likes
And the infamous follow up: you must have wrestled before that
Nothing makes me chuckle harder than when my unathletic looking ass turns some visiting black belt into a puddle and they think I wrestled (I did not wrestle, started BJJ and grappling period in my mid 20’s)
1 Like