To Gi or not to Gi….that is the question!

To Gi or not to Gi?

Whether you’ve decided to take up this sport as a fun pastime, for health and fitness, or for self defence, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is an exciting and rewarding sport in which to be involved. If you’re just starting out, here are a few things you’ll want to know before you step onto the mats for your first class.

Two types of BJJ have evolved over the years. In the traditional form of BJJ, a Gi is worn by all participants. The Gi is a well-recognized uniform that is used to distinguish the rank of each player, through a belt ranking system, from white belt to black belt. It is also used in many of the moves that are done in the sport – anything from holding a person in place to choking them out. You can grab the sleeves of your opponent’s Gi jacket to control their arms, or even choke them with their own lapel. Much of the control and positioning in Gi jiu-jitsu relies on having the ability to use the Gi, both your and your opponent’s.

What has grown out of Gi jiu-jitsu is a variation of the sport known as no-Gi jiu-jitsu, also called Submission Wrestling. Players in this form can wear any type of clothing, from rash guards and board shorts to t-shirts and jogging pants. The difference here is that, as opposed to wearing a Gi, the no-Gi players are not allowed to grab onto theirs or their opponent’s clothing at all.

There is a trend now that is moving towards no-Gi jiu-jitsu, since it has a faster pace and can also be more easily adapted to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, which is quickly becoming very popular. Although many are tempted to start out with no-Gi, it’s recommended for beginners to start their training with a Gi, before moving onto no-Gi, and there are several reasons for this.

1. Slow Things Down

The Gi slows down the game, allowing you to grasp the moves more easily, and focus on what is happening. A no-gi game can be very fast, and it can make it difficult to see everything that’s happening. There’s no rush to learn everything at once, so you’ll want to take your time and make sure that you’ve understood every aspect of each move.

2. Build a Solid Foundation

You’ll also develop a good understanding of the basic movements and controls that are fundamental throughout your years in the sport. No matter how experienced you become, you will always need to have these fundamentals. And, these same concepts can transition easily into your no-Gi game, greatly improving your proficiency.

3. Use Your Skills, Not Your Size

The idea of the sport as a whole, is that it’s based on skill over size and strength. When you’re wearing a Gi, much of your strength can be neutralized by your opponent, forcing you to rely on your skill. Develop your skills while you’re wearing a Gi, and you won’t be trying to overpower your opponent if you’re doing no-Gi jiu-jitsu, which is typically not very effective in the sport anyway. When the proper technique is used, a smaller person can quite easily get the better of a much larger opponent.

Regardless of whether you decide to stick with Gi jiu-jitsu, or make a transition to no-Gi, it’s essential that you build a solid foundation of skills from the beginning. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to learn everything – take your time and make sure that you really grasp the basics. It will make a world of difference in your game, both Gi and no-Gi

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