Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - View Single Post - Judo: Why would you need to train without gi for street?

BigRod · 12-29-2005, 03:59 PM

It's a good idea to train Judo without the gi.

A gi is made of strong material that doesn't rip or stretch and allows you to have a solid grip for throwing. Take a close look at your Judo gi. It's got an open collar, no buttons, very easy to get a good grip on. It's even got a nice thick lapel made for grabbing. There is excess material on the gi where it hangs from your wrist. Again, perfect for grabbing. Regular collared shirts, T-Shirts and tank tops are completely different.

A collared shirt is designed completely different. If it were unbuttoned, you could probably grab it in the same fashion as a Judo gi. But often collared shirts are worn buttoned up, and now what do you have to grab? Think about it, try it. You'll quickly realize there is no lapel to grab. Also, the sleeves typically have a tighter fit around the wrist. Not impossible to grab, but there is a difference.

Tank tops and t-shirts. Made of cotton, a very flimsy material that will stretch, if not flat out tear. Same problem as the collared shirt, no lapel. Also no sleeves, at all. Grab a friend and try a few throws with them in one. I think you'll find a huge difference when you go to make your throw. The material will stretch while your opponents stands there looking at you.

Now, jackets are another story. They are more like a Judo gi, and you probably can pull off many throws because jackets are made of sturdier material. But you have the same problem as with shirts - no lapel. If the jacket is unzipped/unbutton, great. If not, what kind of grip can you get?

Those are pretty much the reasons why people say you should practice Judo no-gi. I say try it for yourself. Why speculate when a simple experiment will do?

12-29-2005, 03:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
BigRod Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's a good idea to train Judo without the gi. A gi is made of strong material that doesn't rip or stretch and allows you to have a solid grip for throwing. Take a close look at your Judo gi. It's got an open collar, no buttons, very easy to get a good grip on. It's even got a nice thick lapel made for grabbing. There is excess material on the gi where it hangs from your wrist. Again, perfect for grabbing. Regular collared shirts, T-Shirts and tank tops are completely different. A collared shirt is designed completely different. If it were unbuttoned, you could probably grab it in the same fashion as a Judo gi. But often collared shirts are worn buttoned up, and now what do you have to grab? Think about it, try it. You'll quickly realize there is no lapel to grab. Also, the sleeves typically have a tighter fit around the wrist. Not impossible to grab, but there is a difference. Tank tops and t-shirts. Made of cotton, a very flimsy material that will stretch, if not flat out tear. Same problem as the collared shirt, no lapel. Also no sleeves, at all. Grab a friend and try a few throws with them in one. I think you'll find a huge difference when you go to make your throw. The material will stretch while your opponents stands there looking at you. Now, jackets are another story. They are more like a Judo gi, and you probably can pull off many throws because jackets are made of sturdier material. But you have the same problem as with shirts - no lapel. If the jacket is unzipped/unbutton, great. If not, what kind of grip can you get? Those are pretty much the reasons why people say you should practice Judo no-gi. I say try it for yourself. Why speculate when a simple experiment will do?