[Jiujitsu Made Simple] NoGi Closed Guard Addendum
Gi and NoGi…
I remember back in the day, it was all one in the same. When we packed our gear for training, we just packed everything and we just trained everything for the most part.
These days, each has evolved so much that the differences between Gi and NoGi seem much greater than the similarities.
As such, one of the things I get asked a lot by students is how to adapt Gi and NoGi training. The answer used to be simpler but as the two continue to evolve, things get a little more nuanced.
I’ve always held the opinion that NoGi doesn’t translate as well to Gi and that if you had to choose one to train, Gi training is more valuable. To me, it’s like training boxing or kickboxing… If you had to train only one, the use of legs makes kickboxing more dominant than boxing. Similar to Gi, the use of the kimono makes the learning curve harder because there are a lot more things you can do with the Gi that you simply can’t in NoGi. The opposite is not true.
These days my opinion has evolved. A recent epiphany had me noting how hard it is to control someone in NoGi. It’s so slippery that it’s challenging to hold someone in a static position. In Gi, however, control is much easier because of the friction of the fabric. If that’s the case, then, learning how to control someone in NoGi translates very well to Gi. Because if you can control someone without a Gi, you can damn sure control them with it.
So from this last paragraph, there are two huge components to NoGi training that differ from Gi training. One is Control. The other is the pace of the training since the Gi allows better control through friction. Thus you can use your athleticism to your advantage in NoGi and not as well in Gi.
This past week, I filmed a Jiujitsu Made Simple for the Closed Guard.
As promised, today I’m delivering the NoGi addendum.
In today’s video, I’ll talk about some of the differences and similarities in the closed guard and how to make your ability to control and attack much more effective, even without the Gi!
Enjoy!
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