To Gi or No-Gi? That's the question.

[Darqnezz]

Robert Drysdale: ‘Another ADCC Goes By & Gi Grapplers Win Unanimously’ | Bjj Eastern Europe

 

[Leigh]

All of the above. Gi BJJ has a much larger talent pool, so that's where you're likely to find the best athletes.

 

[SC MMA MD]

I agree with Leigh about the talent pool in Gi. Personally, I think both Gi and no-Gi are necessary to become a truly proficient grappler

 

[Jonny Quest]

Different style. Catch as catch can.

 

[Carbazel]

I have always favored the Gi, but learning something you don't like always give you an edge even if its just o survive. I do both for that reason. I still suck pretty bad No Gi but I'll get there.

 

[member 603]

Train in the gi, it'll make you better

 

[1031]

I find now that I'm closing in on 40, I prefer gi more often. The gi can slow things down in terms of tempo but the chokes from the lapel still mean I'm thinking (wondering) about what to do.

 

[mysticmac]

Both.

I'm not training to be a world champion. I'm training because I enjoy it and want to know how to defend myself.

The gi makes me better off my back. No gi makes me better on top and with takedowns. It is also closer to what I might have to do in a real fight.

Other than that, any competition I'm in is simply to test myself against guys that train. If I win, cool. If I don't, oh well.

 

[El_Varaco]

Noob opinion:

I'm forced to be more technical in the gi, I have to set things up properly, mainly because grip breaks are harder to come by in the gi and there's so many things I have to look out for.

No gi I frequently get lucky breaks with the sweat and speed factor. But it's more fun in that sense and yeah it is closer to what I might do/experience IRL

Doing both definitely makes you better, there's a lot of stuff that crosses over very well.

 

[CavemanBJJ]

You have to do both in my opinion. Its also good to have some wrestling and judo. Best to be open minded and train everything to become a well rounded grappler

@Leigh is there any old school Lancashire cacc schools in England left?

 

[Leigh]

You have to do both in my opinion. Its also good to have some wrestling and judo. Best to be open minded and train everything to become a well rounded grappler

@Leigh is there any old school Lancashire cacc schools in England left?

I'm not sure. I have trained a reasonable amount of catch but I don't know if anyone is still teaching it.

I don't think that training in a gi is mandatory to become good at no gi but it IS the simplest way to find a high level coach and high level training partners.

 

[CavemanBJJ]

I'm not sure. I have trained a reasonable amount of catch but I don't know if anyone is still teaching it.

I don't think that training in a gi is mandatory to become good at no gi but it IS the simplest way to find a high level coach and high level training partners.

By no means do I think you have to do gi to get good...I just think it makes you more well rounded...that sucks always wanted to go across the pond and learn from stoke of those cats...I've trained with two really good catch guys here who are both bjj black belts...they really flow both systems really well

 

[member 603]

I prefer training in Gi, I love the full arsenal of attacks with the Gi.... However if I'm getting guys ready for a no gi competition or MMA fight, we train no gi.

I feel that limiting yourself in any aspect of grappling will ultimately hurt your overall development. I've seen phenomenal no gi grapplers who are ranked black belts get caught in a gi choke by blue belts because they have no awareness of the attack. I've seen awesome black belts get caught in leg attacks because they never practice defending them, because they only train and learn by IBJJF rules. I've seen great BJJ guys get smashed in MMA because they approach the fight like a grappling match and forget to account for punches. My point is, after 16 years of doing this, I advise to train in all aspects of grappling.