Gi Etiquette

[drmickey]

Hi all - I have read on some post here and on other forums that some clubs/schools have a gi policy regarding what gi to wear in their club while training - i.e. colour, make. Is that true?

What happens when someone moves to another city and wants to train in new bjj school - do they have to purchase another gi, because their cameo, multi-patched blue/white or black gi is not permitted as the clubs 'uniform'?

Surely what Gi is worn on the mat doesnt matter? What differentiates BJJ from the more formal traditional MAs is that it is not formal!

[Josh Palmer]

Varies - we're pretty chilled about Gi's and patches. One of our guys used to train at Yamasakis academy and he mentioned that if you wear a different patch (or possibly a gi without a club patch) they hit you with a stick once or twice when they notice it, to jog your memory!

[drmickey]

I can understand wearing club patches in different clubs - it's a loyality thing - but having a club gi?? I heard that some GB clubs make students wear their Gis!

[FlameBoy]

As much as I would like someone to wear the club patch, and I feel that wearing a different affiliations gis is not quite right, espescially if you train regularly, Id have to say that as long as it isnt filthy, stinky or staph ridden, Im gonna go pretty easy on them for 6 to 8 months.

After that I might start, suggesting maybe its time they picked up a new gi or got rid of the old patches -in a jokey way that actually puts across my real feelings.

cleanliness, above the patches comes a distinct 1st in my priority list.

A guy turned up last night, brand new, never trained bjj before, with a spanking new black koral lightweight and white belt. Little bit flashy,but completely ok by any standards.

[david5]

just scrap

[drmickey]

I just got one of those Gis - lovely gis - that's one of the reasons I posted this post... I was reading how if someone came to a BJJ class first time wearing a black gi -they would attract 'attention' - It's a GI...A GI -

As you said FlameBoy - so long as it's clean!

I have 4 good qualitiy bjj gis now and I dont want to spend anymore money on another one - they have no club patches, just the brand patches that come with the gi....(note to those who know me: I am NOT moving to another club - just curious about the politics of Gis).

[piratebrido]

What does it matter? Can't understand people who get wrapped up in so much politics.

[Rob T]

If I was visiting a new academy for the first time, I'd wear my plainest gi. Most places seem pretty relaxed about it but I just figure it's better to go plain just in case.

For the rest, I pretty much agree with FlameBoy.

[drmickey]

Just train and fight I say!

[Bateman]

As much as I would like someone to wear the club patch, and I feel that wearing a different affiliations gis is not quite right, espescially if you train regularly, Id have to say that as long as it isnt filthy, stinky or staph ridden, Im gonna go pretty easy on them for 6 to 8 months.

After that I might start, suggesting maybe its time they picked up a new gi or got rid of the old patches -in a jokey way that actually puts across my real feelings.

cleanliness, above the patches comes a distinct 1st in my priority list.

A guy turned up last night, brand new, never trained bjj before, with a spanking new black koral lightweight and white belt. Little bit flashy,but completely ok by any standards.

did you make him pay for being so flash ?

I was up your way friday seeing Paul D

[Sir Tapsalot]

If I was visiting a new academy for the first time, I'd wear my plainest gi. Most places seem pretty relaxed about it but I just figure it's better to go plain just in case.

That's what I've always done. I understand at Gracie Humaita, Royler would make you do pushups if you didn't have a patch on your gi (any club patch), even if you're just visiting! I think he likes people to be proud of their school and to represent them always.

James

[F4LL3N W4RR10R]

My 1st Gi was a Koral Khaki Gi and I turned up in it for my 1st lesson. I later got asked, when I was paying for the class, if i'd left my blackbelt in the wash...

I thought it was funny.

No one at the club said anything really, just a few gripes and jokes about be being able to back my gi up.

I do see where people are coming from, when you get some turd who's watch a few UFCs on Bravo and wants to do some BJJ and MMA. They get all kitted out in their Tapout shorts, one last round T shirts and all that and start telling their friends they "Do MMA"

I'd draw the line at the camo Gi. Cos you've gota have some skills to back one of them badboys up.

With regards to the patches. There's a lot of politics within BJJ. We have a guy who trained with us (GB), but moved down south and trained at BTT. We didn't mind him wearing his "Free BTT Gi" but he didnt wear his GB patched up Gi down there.

Some coaches just get funny.

Oh yeah.... All recently signed up Gracie Barra Schools who have re-registered must wear a GB Gi.

these are the "Rules" but particular coaches are more relaxed with the code than others.

I wouldn't mind, but the latest GB Gis are a bit shit for build quility. All GB members can pick them up from Sheffield or Brum for £69 now though I believe, which isn't bad...

[piratebrido]

If a club wanted me to wear a patch they can pay for the patch and the sewing! Fuck that. I wear plain white or blue gi's, though I do like the red ones. I'm not a fan of the patch. Unless it is something cool like a skull and crossbones.

[SWM]

I love wearing my patches, but I would wear an unpatched gi if I was training at another club - out of respect.

[Simon Hayes]

If a club wanted me to wear a patch they can pay for the patch and the sewing! Fuck that. I wear plain white or blue gi's, though I do like the red ones. I'm not a fan of the patch. Unless it is something cool like a skull and crossbones.

What about a patch of 2 Rabid Bulldogs with blood coming out of their mouths?

[hurricane]

brido should have a patch representing his views on gi/no gi.
please explain brido LOL

anyway....
he should have a pic of him at one end of a burd while his mate is at theother end with them high fiving in the middle

[david5]

i have two patches on my gi:

one is the kanji for "gamble" on my back:

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/circlered_2063_491313018

the other is this one on the sleeve:

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/tisinc99_2063_426310393

[FlameBoy]

If a club wanted me to wear a patch they can pay for the patch and the sewing! Fuck that.

If you go to a club and learn the techniques they are showing, the way that they are showing them, and you are there for an extended period of time without a plan to leave, and you fight in a competition, I personally feel that whether or not you want to, you are representing that team.

If you represent that team, be honourable enough to wear their colours!

[xdanx]

I have a random Black Flag patch on my gi trousers, not really BJJ relevant but they are best band in the world so i thought why not.
Also more than happy to wear the Carlson Gracie patches, after all if it wasnt for the club then i wouldnt be learning.
That said i would probably wear a plain one if i was doing a random session elsewhere.

[drmickey]

I can understand wearing blub patches while training in certain clubs - and I can understand guys getting 'funny looks' wearing a, say GB patch while training at a BTT, or other BJJ affiliated club. However, I have a real problem when a club demands that their gis have to be worn - either by club 'rules' or by peer pressure. While there is such a scale of quality and fitting of Gis out there -I think that a student paying to train at bjj - what gi he is wearing shouldnt make a difference -
As each bjj practitioner grows so does his/her style; with that a gi that suites his/her morph and is confortable to roll or train in shouldnt be dictated to by anyone!
Club patches are another thing!

see - told you there was an issue with Gi etiquette ;)

[ReD_mIst]

BJJ politics can be a bit silly, can't it..... just a gi,fellas... just a gi.

[drmickey]

club patches - not blub patches..whatever they are

[drmickey]

you said it RedMist!!

[drmickey]

I agree with patches, thats showing who you play for - But, wearing a Black Light Koral, or a yellow Howard (if there is such a disasterous contraption) - - shouldn't make a difference!!

[david5]

also have these 2 patches waiting for a suitable gi recepticle:

http://www.superherostuff.com/OtherItems/AntennaPatches/Images/autobot_patch_2.jpg

http://www.superherostuff.com/OtherItems/AntennaPatches/Images/decpticon_patch_2.jpg

[xdanx]

Ahahah they are awesome!

[Rob T]

also have these 2 patches waiting for a suitable gi recepticle:

Where did you get those from?! AMAZING.

[david5]

some american website ages and ages ago. they're awaiting sewing by my nan at the moment lol. might get a new gi first though

[Rob T]

Found em here but sold out and I doubt ever to be restocked... http://www.superherostuff.com/OtherItems/AntennaPatches/transformer_patches_decepticon_patches_autobot.htm l



Found some cool ones though;

http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/images/2008/October/15/B3015.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/Starbase/ufpflagpatch.jpg

http://www.stickergiant.com/Merchant2/imgs/450/spsw0020_450.jpeg

http://www.scifistore.com/items/p/swpa0019.jpg

[markjitsu]

i have a camo gi and i'm a crappy blue belt.
a gi is a gi is a gi...
some folk can kick my ass and some can't - who cares?!
the tranformers patches are awesome!!!

[david5]

99% certain i got the transformers patches from here, but they don't do them anymore:

http://www.kapowgifts.co.uk/acatalog/Badges_and_Patches.html

i also have an awesome idea for embroidery on my next gi, but not sure if i should tell anyone in case they copy it

[NeilD]

lmao brilliant! - Think I might get myself a ghostbusters patch :)

[Mike Bishop]

I travel a lot and train at other clubs so I have 2 gis with club patches on and a plain white GI I wear when I train at other clubs. Always figured it's the respectful thing to do

[TRIBULUS]

Wearing a fully pimped and patched gi to another club is a sure recipe for an interesting night.

[david5]

if i wore my plain white gi with no team patches, but my japanese patches toa new club, and was respectful in my actions, what would happen??

[TRIBULUS]

You'd be fine, just as you would if you walked in to the club in any club colours.
Everyone would be respectful and friendly, I'm not saying anyone with patches will be treated with animosity, just that if you're wearing a blue belt be prepared to meet the two best white belts in the club in the first two rounds, then maybe someone nice and technical or a horrible purple belt depending on how you have behaved.
If you're a purple you'll get the two toughest blues then a nasty purple or brown then maybe last round the instructor may say "hey fren, come have a roll with me"
I'm sure it's the same everywhere.

[david5]

yeh, that's to be expected. no animosity, but a challenging time

[TRIBULUS]

Definitely had some of my most interesting rolls at other clubs when travelling, even without a patched gi.

[david5]

my first time at alliance in rio was interesting, 3 browns, a black, 3 purples and a white i think it was lol