Recently we have seen our No Gi classes grow and grow. There has been a lot of interest in no gi jiu jitsu at scranton MMA recently and we wanted to get some more information out there on the difference between gi jiu jitsu and no gi jiu jitsu or no gi grappling. Some people will also just call it submission wrestling. Regardless of the terms it can be a lot of fun and a great addition to any martial arts program.
While it is true that Jiu-jitsu is typically trained mostly in a traditional gi or uniform, no gi jiu-jitsu training can be (and is) a TON of fun. However, for the beginner who is used to the comfort of his or her uniform, no gi can be a little confusing. So, we have put together this little study guide to help you along in your training.
“I don’t know what to do with my hands”
This is probably the most common issue when making the transition from gi to no gi jiu-jitsu. The gi can provide a lot of comfort as it provides a lot of areas to grip. In short, here is some quick information to help you get a grip
If you Normally grip:
| Gi | No gi |
| Collar
Elbow seam of gi Sleeve or cuff Pinning or a straight arm Post Gripping the belt |
Cup the neck or post the shoulder
Cup the elbow Grip or cup the wrist Over hook or underhook Palm on the belly controlling center line |
I have the need, the need for speed:
Typically gi jiu-jitsu is slower and methodical. No gi jiu-jitsu is much faster. The ability to win a “scramble” and put yourself in a more advantageous position becomes much more important. No gi jiu-jitsu is also a little more aggressive then its gi counterpart as you will see a more attacking style than the methodical style sometimes played in its uniformed counterpart.
Gi or no gi is always a topic of debate in the jiu-jitsu community. I say why not train both and become as complete a grappler as possible and also double your fun!