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Home » Starting BJJ » Is no-gi more realistic than BJJ in the gi?
2

Is no-gi more realistic than BJJ in the gi?

- John Q. Whitebelt

Posted by John Q. Whitebelt in Starting BJJ | 2 comments

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  1. This solution has been deemed correct by the post author

    76
    7-16-13
    Aesopian says:

    Depends on what you mean by “realistic.” What are your goals for training, and where do you plan to use your BJJ? That will determine how you should be training.

    If you’re worried about self defense, then you should be training gi, no-gi, and even wearing everyday clothes like jeans and sneakers. You don’t know if you’ll be defending yourself in speedos at the beach, in a bulky coat in the winter, or just going out to get milk.

    If you’re training for MMA, then you’ll want to do mostly no-gi because that’s more in line with your goals, but you could still benefit from training gi.

    If you’re training to be a BJJ competitor, then do whatever you plan to compete in most, whether that’s gi or no-gi.

    If you’re getting in fights with guys wearing nothing but spandex shorts, and you’re not doing MMA, then you need to reevaluate your life choices.

    If you don’t really have goals for your BJJ because you just do it for fun, then just do whichever you like most.

    This isn’t very complicated. What’s most important is getting on the mats and gaining experience, regardless of how you’re dressed.

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  2. 68
    9-5-14
    Marshal D. Carper says:

    The argument usually goes that no-gi is more realistic for self-defense because nobody wears a gi in the street. Why would you put so much training into grabbing lapels and sleeves if you won’t ever get mugged by someone wearing a gi top?

    Well, the thing is, people do wear clothes. Not all of us get in fights on beaches. We wear jackets and pants and hoodies and t-shirts all the time. Granted, you probably won’t need to clock choke someone at the bar, but the real value of training in the gi for self-defense is not gi-based attacks but rather gi-based defense. The first time someone yanks you about by your shirt is quite disorienting. It’s a strange feeling, and by the time you get your bearings you may have eaten a few punches.

    If you have trained in the gi for a few months, though, the feeling won’t be unusual to you at all. You will be able to keep your wits and continue fighting, perhaps breaking the grips and countering to do so. You would probably do just fine if all you had trained was no-gi for a few years, but if your concern is really self-defense, why not be ready for everything?

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