Gi vs. No Gi

5/6/2014 10:53:35 PM
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Gi vs. No Gi

When I grapple it's usually against much bigger guys 30-40 pounds heavier then me. Having troubles getting them to break there grip off my gi. they tend to just hang on and can't get much offensive going. I really prefer no gi grappling over gi grappling. What do others feel?

5/7/2014 1:58:04 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

I love playing with the gi and find no gi not as much fun, but understand is a matter of personal taste.

Usually people are very passionate about defending their believes on this topic hahaha 

5/7/2014 4:37:58 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Felipe,

Any tips on freeing your hands/arms so you can attack from the guard position?

 

5/8/2014 9:25:52 AM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

yes, that is actually a very good idea for a course. I will take your idea and try to film it soon. Thanks

5/8/2014 5:13:34 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Thank you. Looking forward too your advice and video's.

5/10/2014 2:42:19 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Here is my 50cents about the gi/no-gi question.
 
When I started out training martial arts I was attracked to the systems that had no kimono, just because as a young guy I thought this looked more cool. 
 
As my training became more serious I was obliged to wear a gi and so I got comfortable with it. But somehow I was still convinced that it was ridiculous. My thinking was kind of "I can't use those lapel chokes on the street anyway". Mind you, I actually lived in a country where it was raining most of the time and everone wears heavy jackets :)
 
Nowdays I prefer training with a gi because it brings several advantages. 
 
First it helps in removing sweat from your face when rolling intensively. 
 
Second whenever you are on the top and you trying to choke, you actually need to use your hips to keep your balance. Needless to say that jiu-jitsu is all about hip movement. 
 
Third when fighting with bigger opponents I can control them easily with spider guard and I can slow smaller fighters down the same way. 
 
Fourth, while defending is easier with gi, escaping when caught is much harder, so it improves my defense for the worst possible possitions. 
 
And finally, there are lots of colorful and cool gi for sell these days. Way more fitting than the baggy judo komonos we used to have.
 
Anyway, I prefer the gi but I am also convinced that you should train without especially in the weeks before a no-gi competition. Or even better. You wear the gi and the rest of your team doesn't :)
5/12/2014 7:23:51 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Ken,

Thanks for the reply and tips. I like your camo gi, what kind is it?

 

As for training, many of my students are into MMA style jiu jitsu. So a lot of our training is no gi and I have been training like this for years. I like the faster style of no gi. I do feel you get a better sweat going with a gi and it does work your forearms much more. I have always prefered no gi chokes instead of gi chokes. I do think its good to learn both. I don't like to rely on clothing to apply a choke, especially with summer (hot weather) coming.

How often do you train in both  gi and no gi in your weekly training? 

5/16/2014 12:01:25 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

I got the gi from one of my students, it says Naja... maybe that is the brand?

Coming back to choking with gi. The reason I think your hip movements improves is because there is no way for you to post your hands, block his knees or event defending yourself. Your both hands are stuck :), so by definition the rest of your body has to do the correct movement.

Anyway, I used to train about 90% of my time with gi, except the 6 weeks before a major competition. But then again I was training at least 3 hours a day and not taking into account free style wresting and thaiboxing classes.

A thing I like about training no-gi is that you practise defending the back and defending leg locks much more, just because it is much easier for your opponent to get this when there are no kimonos to block.

For a little secret... at one time I shaved the hair from wrist, ankle and shin area. Once you start sweating it is almost impossible they hold a grip on them that way. I learned this secret from an olympic wrestler, who actually removed all his hairs for competition. But than again it might be a bit socially akward :)

Good training,

Ken

5/16/2014 12:29:58 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Ken, you would be surprise how so many man are shaving arm, legs, etc in Rio....so it's some kind of fashion here, but I refuse to do it, I like my hairy legs hahahah

5/17/2014 12:22:52 AM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

Thanks for the secrets. My shaved head helps me slip out of many things. One of my students competed at NAGA in Chicago and won his weight division. Beating a Charlson Gracie student. I am very proud of him. He competed in No-Gi only.

3/24/2020 12:20:54 PM
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Re: Gi vs. No Gi

I prefer no gi! grappling techniques are awesome!! Im new to it and haven't really learned lots of techniques yet but triangle choke is my favourite so far. BOY! this technique really get the opponent to give up.