Crazy_88_Monkey
White Belt
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2007
- Messages
- 24
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So, I've been doing BJJ for a little over a year now, and I started out doing no-gi almost exclusively. I told myself from the beginning, that I want to keep my "game" for both gi and no-gi the same, and that I want my style to be able to transfer to real "self-defense" and MMA situations. In other words, I didn't want to become reliant on the gi, and when on my back, I wanted my guard game to be focused on breaking the posture/tying up my opponent (so he can't posture up for strikes), while also being offensive (have good sweeps and submissions). Even though, I never plan on training/competing in MMA, I don't just want to be a "sport jiu jitsu" guy (I want my jiu jitsu to work when there are strikes and no-gi too).
Anyways, fast forward to a year later, and I have been training with the gi only lately. The main reason for this is my grip strength (I have a really strong grip, which allows me to really control people with a gi on), and because my gym has WAY more gi classes every week than no-gi. My JJ has improved ten-fold in that year, but I find myself always going for grips on the gi. So yesterday in my gi class, this guy (who I ussually beat pretty bad) forgot his gi, and I rolled with him without his gi. I just couldn't control the guy or setup anything on him, and I think it's due to me relying on that gi for grips. It was mainly setting up submissions from my guard that I had trouble with (no collar, no sleeves), but I also had trouble passing his guard (no pants to grab onto at the legs or knee). Also, I've become very good at the cross choke (gi choke). I had to incorporate this choke into my game to use against bigger guys, because arm/joint locks, don't really work as well against guys who are a lot bigger and stronger than me. So when I don't have that option, it sucks.
So anyway, my question is, what are some grips that translate from gi to no-gi? Some are obvious, like instead of grabbing the sleeves, I grab the wrist, but what about cross collar grip? This is my goto grip, that I use for everything, and when my opponent doesn't have a gi, I don't know what to do. Any other grips that translate to no-gi would be helpful too. Also, should I take my gi chokes out of my game? They obviously only work when fighting someone with a gi on, so should I even bother using them?
Anyways, fast forward to a year later, and I have been training with the gi only lately. The main reason for this is my grip strength (I have a really strong grip, which allows me to really control people with a gi on), and because my gym has WAY more gi classes every week than no-gi. My JJ has improved ten-fold in that year, but I find myself always going for grips on the gi. So yesterday in my gi class, this guy (who I ussually beat pretty bad) forgot his gi, and I rolled with him without his gi. I just couldn't control the guy or setup anything on him, and I think it's due to me relying on that gi for grips. It was mainly setting up submissions from my guard that I had trouble with (no collar, no sleeves), but I also had trouble passing his guard (no pants to grab onto at the legs or knee). Also, I've become very good at the cross choke (gi choke). I had to incorporate this choke into my game to use against bigger guys, because arm/joint locks, don't really work as well against guys who are a lot bigger and stronger than me. So when I don't have that option, it sucks.
So anyway, my question is, what are some grips that translate from gi to no-gi? Some are obvious, like instead of grabbing the sleeves, I grab the wrist, but what about cross collar grip? This is my goto grip, that I use for everything, and when my opponent doesn't have a gi, I don't know what to do. Any other grips that translate to no-gi would be helpful too. Also, should I take my gi chokes out of my game? They obviously only work when fighting someone with a gi on, so should I even bother using them?
