GI vs. No GI

The GI versus No GI debate can delve deeply into personal preferences, but for me, it's merely a toolset I wouldn't want to be without.

The GI, often seen as more traditional and disconnected from modern BJJ by some, actually provides a diverse range of control options that I believe are essential for a well-rounded practice.

While more durable than most attire due to its construction, the GI closely mirrors the clothing worn in everyday life for many individuals. Older practitioners often embrace the GI with little resistance, while younger ones may prefer the agility and lower cost associated with No GI.

Pros and Cons for Older Grapplers:

Pros:

• Adds an extra layer of protection between us and our training partners, as well as the mat surface.
• Absorbs sweat more effectively during training sessions.
• Offers excellent traction while on our knees or when entwined with an opponent.
• Provides handlebar-like grips on opponents, enhancing control.
• Presents numerous opportunities for attacks and control that are either unavailable or significantly more challenging without the GI.
• Allows for quick identification of an opponent's rank.
• Can be utilized as a weapon for chokes and limb restraints.
• Slows down the pace of matches, reducing the risk of injury.
• Decreases the likelihood of picking up infections during training.
• Provides insights into opponents' movements.
• More durable than rash guards.
• Permits gripping of clothing as part of the rule set.

Cons:

• Can be challenging to escape from control situations, such as gripping.
• May cause friction burns and chafing for both parties, regardless of whether a rash guard is worn.
• Gives opponents insight into our movements.
• Offers additional control points for opponents to exploit.
• Adds complexity to our fighting arsenal.
• Slows down the pace of matches due to increased friction and control.
• Expands the range of attack opportunities for opponents.
• Can become hot and restrictive during intense training.
• Adds weight that must be considered for competition weigh-ins.
• More difficult to clean and maintain compared to rash guards.
• Allows gripping of clothing as part of the rule set.

A simple concept I often share with my students is this: in a street fight scenario, would you prefer to be trained exclusively in No GI techniques, avoiding clothing grabs, while having limited experience using clothing as a weapon, and potentially facing your own attire being used against you?

Training with the GI aligns more closely with the reality of self-defense situations compared to No GI. If BJJ is to be applied in self-defense scenarios, familiarity with the GI becomes indispensable.

Having personally relied on my training to defend against an armed aggressor, I can attest to the critical importance of clothing control in such situations.

As older grapplers, we may have less time and face greater challenges in mastering the vast array of grappling techniques. However, I strongly advise against skipping the GI experience and knowledge base. From the perspective of age, training with the GI can be demanding, but it also slows down the pace of training and matches. Younger opponents accustomed to speed find it harder to escape control when wrapped in a GI, reducing the likelihood of sudden, injury-causing movements.

If forced to choose exclusively between GI and No GI, I would opt for the GI, despite training without it four days a week. I encourage all my students to study both approaches and, for self-defense purposes, to leverage clothing as a strategic tool.

While sport grappling may currently appear to be aligning more with no Gi, I can assure that every no Gi champion has a great deal of training, experience and proficency in the Gi.

Remember, we fight the way we train!

See you on the mat - Pops
This article was written by 59-year-old - BJJ Black Belt Todd Nelson (aka Pops)