gi or no gi poll

[kiddbjj]

do you guys prefer to train with or without the gi and why?

[Szczepankiewicz]

From what I understand the gi slows things down considerably. You can practice certain techniques that would be impractical/darned near impossible without a gi.

As everyone already knows... I go both ways... but only in training.

[Tant01]

do you guys prefer to train with or without the gi and why?

Yes, with and without a Gi. Some names of techniques imply no Gi even if you're wearing one, a NAKED CHOKE comes to mind but you don't need to be naked or wear a Gi....

[Hikage]

I must say, I prefer the feel of the gi. If I'm honest, I'll admit that the funny pajamas make me feel "cool." I do also getting a realistic feel for what my normal street clothes are capable of. So I will at times go to class or practice in that which I was wearing that day.

-Hikage

[cakegirl]

Hmm, I definitely swing both ways.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Cakegirl is my heroine!

[cakegirl]

Yay! Spanky, you have brightened up my day!

[Szczepankiewicz]

Bitty will go:

Gi
No-Gi
Butt Nekked

[Hermosa]

I definately prefer the gi. I'm sure everyone's heard this before..but, the gi definately expands your mind. And your mind is what really matters....I have never felt very uncomfortable training for months with the gi and then taking it off one day.

It seems everyone thinks that they will get too attached to a particular move that needs the fabric and fears not knowing what to do when the fabric isn't there...but that is just narrow thinking man...The whole game of jiu-jitsu is defending yourself and seeing what your opponent gives you...you never have a perfect day..you always have to problem solve..that's the whole art!--problem solving. Suddenly going with out the gi is just a new problem, some things won't work..other's work better...no different that rolling with a huge guy and then a little guy..different problems to solve.

IMO no gi grappling is nothing more than adapting gi grips and controls to naked grips and controls...therefore, buy expanding your mind to new angles and options witht he gi..that will then translate one way or another to the no gi.

Jiu-jitsu is infinite.

[95 Mystic TA]

I prefer to train with my gi-pants on and no gi top though occasionaly I do wear it to "change the game" a bit.

[Hikage]

I definately prefer the gi. I'm sure everyone's heard this before..but, the gi definately expands your mind. And your mind is what really matters....I have never felt very uncomfortable training for months with the gi and then taking it off one day.

It seems everyone thinks that they will get too attached to a particular move that needs the fabric and fears not knowing what to do when the fabric isn't there...but that is just narrow thinking man...The whole game of jiu-jitsu is defending yourself and seeing what your opponent gives you...you never have a perfect day..you always have to problem solve..that's the whole art!--problem solving. Suddenly going with out the gi is just a new problem, some things won't work..other's work better...no different that rolling with a huge guy and then a little guy..different problems to solve.

IMO no gi grappling is nothing more than adapting gi grips and controls to naked grips and controls...therefore, buy expanding your mind to new angles and options witht he gi..that will then translate one way or another to the no gi.

Jiu-jitsu is infinite.

Hermosa,

Well stated. You're absolutely correct. Too many people get locked in on what someone else has told them to do or what their instructor does. The concept of thinking for yourself and understanding that this is an art form. What does an artist do? He creates. The gi isn't so much the question for me, because as the sempai I'm required to look "dignified." But I like to change things up by wearing different footwear, gi's with different feels, differernt training locations, and of course different people.

I often will fall into the trap of performing a technique in a similar manner on different people. We have one guy who is 6'6" (or so) and he's the guy I work on the most for obvious reasons. It's so weird then working on this other guy who is 5'6" because he can easily step out of techniques that would send the Jolly Green Giant down howling in pain.

-Hikage