getting used to the gi

[daspecimen]

those of you who started with no gi rolling, how long did it take you to get used to the gi? and what did you find helped the transition period?

had my first gi session yesterday and as much as i enjoyed it, it was a completely different kettle of fish and i can tell this is going to take some getting used to :(

[Suley]

f****ing ages :-)

[daspecimen]

are you still doing gi stuff suley?

do you find that when you're in a gi you use gi based grips/chokes etc or is your game primarily the same as your no gi game?

has you seen an improvement in your no gi game on the back of the gi training?

[Malcontent]

I think my temperament and physicality are better suited to no gi, and I must admit that I often find myself feeling frustrated with the gi.

I have not gotten used to it yet, and perhaps I never will, although I do enjoy training in the gi and I'll continue with it. I'm hoping for some more no gi classes at some point in the future though, just to balance my game up a little as I currently feel lost when I roll without the gi. All my grips desert me lol,

[Simon Hayes]

Right,here's what you need to do-Whenever anyone takes a grip,break it.Do not let them grip your gi.
If you start grip breaking you will find everything a lot easier.

[rjd]

What about vise versa Professor?

[wagon]

What about vise versa Professor?

what you mean? Like when they break your grips?

[rjd]

Tips from training nogi for a Gi fighter my nogi is shit compared to my Gi now I have trained mainly Gi for a year and a half!

[warrenb]

I had'nt worn a gi for over 10 years when I started BJJ and at first I tried to dismiss it and just try to implement my no gi game. This did'nt really work and I found people grabbing my gi trousers super frustrating! Not to mention crafty gi chokes! Just adjusted better over time although I still feel that there are gi basics that I either forget or still don't know. I guess it's just mat time.

[Suley]

are you still doing gi stuff suley?

do you find that when you're in a gi you use gi based grips/chokes etc or is your game primarily the same as your no gi game?

has you seen an improvement in your no gi game on the back of the gi training?
Yeah still doing Gi

I wanted initially to just to play no-gi while wearing a gi but it's not working out like that as I think you do need a lot of different skills. Grips being the big thing and avoiding being chocked with your own damn gi.

I find that the most changes are in the guard as this is when you are most vunerable. once your past you can do a lot of the same no-gi kind of game.

Of course this is just me and I'm like white belt level gi so my opinion may change as time passes.

It has helped my game because i find the gi-techniques negate a lot of the athletic moves you can do to explode out of position, i tried that in gi and I found that I would explode somewhere to no avail to end up where i was but just a little more tired.
Movement of hips and open mindeness to things (just in grappling :-) )to try have also been improved as well as flexibility.
I'm still working on the fundamentals and often find myself trying to muscle someone of my gi when i should be trying technique (i.e spazzing out of frustration).

[The Natural]

nice insight..

many of my gi frustrations summed up by this post..

i need to get back at it..:D

[Simon Hayes]

If you are a no gi guy wearing a gi-

Whenever you would normally take a 1 handed thai clinch round the back of the neck,grab your oppoents lapel instead.

Whenever you would control an arm with a '2 on 1' grab his sleeve with one hand leaving your other hand free for other stuff (it can always come and help your other arm if need be).


Whenever you would underhook a leg,grab the trousers by the ankle instead.

Whenever someone plays butterfly guard grab inside their knees on their trousers.

Whenever you play butterfly guard break grips to your trousers immediatley.

Never let anyone put even one hand in your collar.


This is a few starting points for going from no-gi to gi.

Hope they help.

[daspecimen]

Thanks for the insight all, especially Simon and Suley. Next session is at the weekend and hopefully i'll get a gi at the end of the month

[Atlasmma]

It's taken me about 3 months of wearing a gi, but the other day I actually used grips. Grabbed a pant leg to regain halfguard, held the colar while knee riding and held on to the shoulder to sink a rnc. It was a very proud roll for me. I still fly all over the place like a nogi nutter though. Havn't got the calm of gi down yet.

[Suley]

thanks Simon that is useful stuff

[GOINGHOME]

If you are a no gi guy wearing a gi-

Whenever you would normally take a 1 handed thai clinch round the back of the neck,grab your oppoents lapel instead.

Whenever you would control an arm with a '2 on 1' grab his sleeve with one hand leaving your other hand free for other stuff (it can always come and help your other arm if need be).


Whenever you would underhook a leg,grab the trousers by the ankle instead.

Whenever someone plays butterfly guard grab inside their knees on their trousers.

Whenever you play butterfly guard break grips to your trousers immediatley.

Never let anyone put even one hand in your collar.


This is a few starting points for going from no-gi to gi.

Hope they help.


Great post, really very useful stuff. I have never really done any Gi but am considering adding it to my current No Gi / MMA routine, clear concise advice likes that really helps me think how I might go about approaching it. Of course what I should do is just bite the bullet!

Cheers

Ben

[Suley]

Simon thanks again - Those tips have just helped me shit loads when I put them into practice :-)

[magpie80]

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