Gi or No-Gi for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Traditional BJJ Grappling or Combat Submission Wrestling?
Jan 29, 2009
What is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi?
A Brazilian jiu jitsu gi is the kimono uniform worn in traditional BJJ grappling. Similar to a judo gi, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi is made of heavy-weave fabric and designed to stand up to the rigorous pulling, lifting, and throwing actions of martial arts, BJJ, grappling, and submission techniques.
BJJ Grappling vs. Submission Wrestling: Major Differences
The difference between BJJ grappling and no-gi submission grappling is in the grips. In the stand-up game, the grips provided by the Brazilian jiu jitsu gi allow for many judo-style throwing and submission techniques, while no-gi submission wrestling takedowns resemble those of Greco-roman and freestyle wrestling. Grips also come into play on the ground. Where the BJJ grappling ground game is slow, measured, and technical, no-gi combat submission wrestling moves tend to be more fluid and fast-paced.
Advantages of Traditional BJJ Grappling: Developing a More Technical Game
Training with the Brazilian jiu jitsu gi appeals to BJJ purists and those who have a background in judo. Students who focus on BJJ grappling will learn the intricacies of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including an array of grips, submission techniques, throws, holds, etc. that don’t exist in no-gi combat submission wrestling. Also, because they’ve learned to attribute greater importance to every step and grip, BJJ grappling tends to encourage a tighter and more technical overall game.
Advantages of Submission Grappling: Faster Reactions
No-gi submission grappling is very popular in North America, largely because of the wrestling tradition and the growing popularity of mixed martial arts. Also, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament, one of the world’s premier submission grappling events, is exclusively no-gi. Submission wrestling’s lack of secure grips means that the action is fast-paced, positions are continually changing, and submission techniques can be hard to finish. These factors force no-gi submission grapplers to develop quick reactions and to constantly think a few extra steps ahead.
Traditional BJJ Grappling Better for Beginners
Beginners are encouraged to train in traditional BJJ grappling because the transition from Brazilian jiu jitsu to combat submission wrestling is generally easier than the reverse. Taking off the Brazilian jiu jitsu gi will make a BJJ grappler feel faster, more fluid, and more able to escape submission techniques and hold-downs. Conversely, a no-gi submission grappler who puts on a Brazilian jiu jitsu gi will feel slow and ponderous… as if they’ve been dropped into molasses.
BJJ Grappling for Self Defense
An important difference between BJJ grappling and no-gi combat submission wrestling is that the Brazilian jiu jitsu gi is more applicable to self-defense training. There are many ways to use a person’s clothing against them and most of the hold-downs, throws, and submission techniques that come into play in BJJ grappling work equally well on an opponent who is wearing regular street clothes. Students who only train in no-gi combat submission wrestling won’t be familiar with these important details and may be less adept at defending themselves while fully clothed.
Submission Grappling for Mixed Martial Arts
Since the sport of mixed martial arts is almost exclusively no-gi, fighters tend to focus on submission grappling to keep themselves tuned to the slippery and fast-paced world of MMA. That said, many top MMA fighters train mostly in BJJ grappling to hone their techniques and keep their game tight.
Train Both BJJ Grappling and Submission Wrestling
To get the best of both worlds, many Brazilian jiu-jitsu students split their training between BJJ grappling and no-gi submission wrestling. Most prefer one or the other but will train in both methods to round out their game and achieve a better overall understanding of the world of grappling.
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