GI vs NO-GI BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be practiced in two main formats:

The first and most common is in the gi or kimono. This is the traditional uniform seen in many Asian martial arts. It is similar to what you’d picture as a Judo or Karate uniform. They’re generally made up of a Kimono top that is held closed by a color ranked belt tied at the waist. The pants are held up by a drawstring. Like a judo uniform, the fabric is thick, so that it can withstand the grabbing and holding that takes place. However, they tend be more lightweight and have a closer fit than most judo gis.

Although gi practice is more common, no-gi has gained more attraction as a spectator sport. Mind you, most of those spectators are people already practicing Jiu Jitsu themselves. No-gi is practiced without the kimono. The outfit is less consistent. It generally consists of a long or short sleeved tight-fitting rash guard shirt and board shorts. Some practitioners also wear tights or “spats” under their shorts. However, the variation in no gi clothing is broad. Some may wear a standard t-shirt and gym shorts in the practice room. Others may choose to wear shorts or spats without the board shorts on top. In some practice rooms and no gi competitions, athletes have the option of being shirtless. Some practitioners like to wear gi pants while training. As you can see, there is little uniformity in what is worn in no gi training.

While the fundamental principles remain the same in both forms of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there are some key differences between gi and no-gi BJJ. Here are some of the main distinctions:

1. Attire:

• Gi BJJ: As mentioned Practitioners wear a traditional gi, consisting of a jacket, pants, and a belt. The gi provides grips and handles, allowing for a wide range of techniques based on manipulating the opponent’s uniform. A gi restricts both the wearers and the opponent’s movement. In hot climates, the gi acts as an extra blanket, which some may or may not prefer.
• No-Gi BJJ: No-gi practitioners wear rash guards and shorts, spats or tights. Basically, anything other than a gi top fits the category of no-gi. Which makes sense, because it is literally Not-gi. No-gi is literally cooler than the gi, since you’re often in shorts and t-shirt, or moisture wicking material.

2. Grip Opportunities:

• Gi BJJ: Gripping the opponent’s gi is a fundamental aspect of gi BJJ. Practitioners can use collar grips, sleeve grips, pant grips, and lapel grips to control and manipulate their opponent’s movements. There are techniques like ”Spider Guard” and “lasso guard” that can be used to effectively control or off balance an opponent. These gi-dependent techniques are not possible without the gi. The friction and strength of the gi fabric gives you and your opponent very strong grips one you gat a hold of the fabric. These grips can often be hard to “break” or free yourself from. Therefore, establishing your own grips and breaking your opponent’s grips is often a key moment in the early part of a gi grappling exchange. Neglecting your opponents grips may put you in a vulnerable position as the round progresses.
  

• No-Gi BJJ: Without the gi, grips are limited to the opponent’s body. The lack of a gi eliminates the ability/allowance to grab your opponent’s or your own clothing. Practitioners instead, rely on body control through wrist holds, over and under hooks at the shoulders, and body locks, which are achieved by wrapping your arms around an opponent’s body, and locking your hands together. Grip fighting, or hand fighting for a dominant holding position is also important in no-gi. However, without the handle effect of the fabric, these grips will be more transient, as the shorts and rash guards do not provide a lot of friction to maintain a hold on your opponent.

3. Speed and Fluidity:

• Gi BJJ: The gi can slow down the pace of the game due to the added friction and grip opportunities. Matches may involve more methodical and strategic movements. The gi allows for multiple points of strong control of an opponent. When being held down by your own gi, it may be difficult to move around enough to easily escape. Even without directly holding the opponents gi, the gi still provides a lot of friction, which slows down movements necessary for escape or attack. At times, it may also get in the way of certain submissions. Opponents may grab their own gi to stop their arms from being extended in an armbar. The collar of the gi and your own sleeve may make things like rear naked chokes or guillotine chokes more difficult to initiate than if it wasn’t there.

• No-Gi BJJ: With less material to grab onto, movements in no-gi tend to be faster and more fluid. Practitioners often rely on quicker transitions and explosive movements. Without the solid grips, no-gi tends to be a bit faster paced. Controlling and holding an opponent in place is more difficult without the gi. No-gi matches tent to have a lot more transitions between positions. You may se more submission attempts because there is no fabric blocking those movements, but you’ll also see more escapes as well. Sweat is another factor in no-gi. Once the athletes and the training room is warmed up, and sweat starts dripping, things can become extra slippery. Once the sweating starts, it becomes extra difficult to get a good hold on someone. Some people find slipping and dripping in other people’s sweat to be gross! Weirdos.

4. Submissions and Escapes:

• Gi BJJ: Some submissions in gi BJJ are specific to the gi. These include collar chokes and lapel-based attacks and submissions involving grips on the pant or sleeve cuffs. Additionally, certain escapes involve grabbing the gi to break grips or create distance. Within the rules, the lapel of the gi can literally be wrapped around someone’s neck as a finishing move. This is the beauty of the gi in many people’s minds.

• No-Gi BJJ: No-gi submissions often require a tighter control of the opponent’s body. Since opponents are more slippery without the gi, body control is usually well established before submission attempts. Things like arm bars may be a little bit harder to finish as players can more easily squirm out of these positions. The more slipper nature of no-gi an also be an advantage in some situations. Guillotine chokes and head and are chokes tend to present themselves more often without the gi being in the way. As mentioned, escapes often come more readily in certain positions because if the speed and slipperiness.

One major difference that exists between the two is that competition rule sets generally do not allow heel hooks and knee reap positions in the gi. These have become a staple in no-gi practice and competitions. Heel hooks and other leg attacks are among the most common finishes in no-gi competitions. It is a significant factor that differentiates the 2 disciplines. If you’re coming from an only gi background, learning to defend and attack heel hooks will be unfamiliar at first.

5. *Strategy and Tactics:

• Gi BJJ: Strategies may involve using the gi for control, setting up intricate grips for submissions, and employing a more methodical approach. Gi grips early in the match could prove to be instrumental fir stabling control many steps down the line. You may found that your opponent’s gripping position on your lapel earlier on, now has you trapped in a compromising position and limits your movement.

• No-Gi BJJ: Strategies in no-gi often revolve around body control, or grips that involve connecting hands around your opponents body. Since it may not be as easy to immobilize an opponent to mount an offence, you’ll find that transitions between positions tend to be faster. That being said, there are practitioners that have mastered being able to immobilize an opponent in no gi.

6. Sweeps and Takedowns:

• Gi BJJ: Sweeps and takedowns can involve using the gi for off-balancing or leveraging against the opponent. Techniques like sleeve grips and lapel wraps are common in gi takedowns. Spider guard and lasso guard are prime examples of how someone on the bottom can use the gi to tangle, off balance, and sweep an opponent that is in their guard. Wrestling style takedowns are available in the gi. Traditional judo throws and trips are also effective, as the gi based judo throws can easily be transitioned to the standing part of a BJJ match.

• No-Gi BJJ: Sweeps and takedowns in no-gi rely more on body control, under-hooks, over-hooks, and direct manipulation without the aid of gi grips. Wrestling style takedowns are effective in no-gi BJJ. Without the gi, a modified form of judo can be employed that uses wrist grips under-hooks and trips etc.

Both gi and no-gi BJJ offer unique challenges and benefits. Many practitioners enjoy training in both formats to develop a well-rounded skill set. Ultimately, the choice between gi and no-gi often comes down to personal preference and individual training goals and also importantly, convenience. If you’re in a large city with many training options nearby, you can make more of a personal decision. If you’re in a smaller town, or a place where Jiu Jitsu is only available where it’s available, then train what’s available. More often than not, that will be a gym that trains in the gi.

My personal preference in no-gi. I like the speed, and the constant switching of positions. I also feel al little less beat up when training no-gi. This, of course is relative. I often leave no-gi sessions feeling beat up as well. However, I’ve spent the bulk of my years training in the gi, because that’s what was being practiced at the academy I went to. So, in the end. Do what you like best…. If that’s not available, do the next best thing.