Gi vs No Gi w/a Twist

[dylanchap]

I know the Gi vs No Gi controversy has been discussed on every forum many times but I had a question. I know that many Gi practitioners say that training in the Gi will make you more technical for no gi because it is slower paced and harder to muscle out of submissions because of all the friction (no sweat factor) which causes you to focus on technique. I know that many no gi practitioners say that training in the gi creates bad habits for no gi grappling because of the collar, sleeve, and pant grips that are utilized.

I have read that Eddie says he likes to wear gi pants because it causes friction and makes it easier to pull rubber guard, etc. and that it is the gi top that creates bad habits because it is used offensively as well as defensively.

So here is my question...if someone was to train in a full gi without using the gi top offensively or defensively and only utilized no gi grips, could it help you in your no gi game because it does slow down the pace and prevents you from just pulling out of submissions and positions out of mere strength therefore causing you to become more technical? I hope the question makes sense.

Basically rolling no gi style with a gi to minimize taking advantage of brute strength which encourages you to focus on technique. No collar grips, no sleeve grips, no pant grips.

[BadKarmaRising]

You're going to burst a blood vessel in your brain overthinking this. Why can't you dedicate some time to both? When you're in the gym, you mix up your workouts. some days you go heavy, some days you do cardio, etc. Don't limit your grappling either :)

[Tallsilkyslim]

Eddie trained under, and received his black belt from Jean Jacque Machado. He developed all of his no gi techniques while wearing a gi. He didn't utilize the grips, but trained for it wearing a gi nontheless.

[dylanchap]

You're going to burst a blood vessel in your brain overthinking this. Why can't you dedicate some time to both? When you're in the gym, you mix up your workouts. some days you go heavy, some days you do cardio, etc. Don't limit your grappling either :)

I don't think I am overthinking. I just wanted to know if you think training in a gi w/out using the gi grips would help with your no gi grappling. I am not sure if I understand what you are talking about as far as going heavy and some days doing cardio. Not sure how you are relating that to my question. Maybe I'm missing something

[dylanchap]

Eddie trained under, and received his black belt from Jean Jacque Machado. He developed all of his no gi techniques while wearing a gi. He didn't utilize the grips, but trained for it wearing a gi nontheless.

so do you think b/c eddie used the gi but did not utilize the gi grips, that this gave him an edge technique wise (or in any other way) in no gi grappling or no?

[JayC]

Not gonna delve into the gi vs no-gi argument (both are cool, I like no-gi myself), but if you were to train with a gi and utilise only no-gi things like hooks, and without using any grips at all, then obviously it's gonna be good for your no-gi game. You aren't using the Gi for any advantage apart from friction.

[NebS]

Basically rolling no gi style with a gi to minimize taking advantage of brute strength which encourages you to focus on technique. No collar grips, no sleeve grips, no pant grips.

I happen to do this all the time, mainly because we do a self-defense orientated Jujitsu, and IMHO, I find I may not be fighting a guy that has a shirt on (for whatever reason), so how am I to use a gi choke?

Don't get me wrong, I like the gi and all, I just find that it makes your groundwork better if you can roll wearing the guy without using the gi...Its kinda like boxing or kickboxing without using a certain kick...its there if you need it, but if it makes you better because you don't have to use it, then....yay!

[AJ]

I have small girlish hands and no grip power whatsoever. So even with a gi, I am gable gripping and hooking everything I grab. This was another reason why I bought the Eddie Bravo books.

[outlawz]

honestly if you aren't using your gi TOP defensively or offensively it doesn't matter what you are wearing to roll in and it will help your No gi game.....

You can wear a snowsuit and mittens and it will help your No Gi game.... as long as you aren't using collar chokes, pant grips and gi top grips....

I have just started wearing Gi pants and I like it alot... only for the friction factor when it comes to Rubber guard, armbars, etc....

[deathblade]

I'd imagine that if you are wearing a Gi and not using the handles that are provided then during a Gi match you would be at a disadvantage.

[AJ]

I'd imagine that if you are wearing a Gi and not using the handles that are provided then during a Gi match you would be at a disadvantage.

Maybe, however no gi grips used in gi matches are stronger than normal.

Like a whizzer in a gi match, you get the added bonus of latching onto their lapel making it tighter than it's no gi iteration. Technically it's a gi handle however no gi guys will go for it more than wrist control gi guys.