Why Train with the Gi (Uniform) in the Grappling arts? The following is a short article pointing out some of the benefits to training with the gi (uniform) in grappling arts like Jiu-jitsu or Judo.
Chess and Checkers It is simply logic that when you add the gi to a grappling match, it will add more possibilities; it is therefore a more complex game. It would be much easier for a good chess player to join in on a game of checkers than the other way around.
Making Big Fighters More Technical In my teaching experience, there is no better way to take the physical attributes from someone than putting him in a gi. Without the gi, a bigger person can use more of their strength and faster opponents, more of their speed. The point of any art is to use more technique and skill than strength; using the gi will help develop that skill.
You can always take it off I’ve seen submission grapplers and wrestlers with ten years or more experience get choked by people with half that time-in while wearing the gi; they look as if you’ve just put them in a straight jacket. You may be a great grappler when you are naked, but don’t wear clothes on the street! When you train with the gi (properly), it is just a matter of a few grip adjustments in order to fight without it. If you do not train with the gi enough … you’re the checkers guy.
Military and Law Enforcement Unless you are patrolling a beach (in which case, you have a sweet assignment and nothing to complain about), your opponents are wearing clothes. I’ve heard many reports from the Military personnel I train saying that they favor training with the gi and make good use of collar chokes. In fact the core of the Modern Army Manual is based on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and soldiers often train in their BDUs.
It gets cold For those of us that live in places that get cold now and then, you’ll be wearing something that resembles a gi for a large part of the year. Even if you are in a hot climate, you’ll most likely be wearing some sort of pants or shorts and a t-shirt that an opponent can grab onto. The gi is great for training because it won’t rip like a t-shirt.
Training both with and without the gi is important for anyone who practices any type of Grappling art. Make it at least 50% of your practice and you will be better for it.
Gene Simco is a career Martial Artist and Author of several Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Books. In addition to holding a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, he has appeared in many instructional videos. He is available for instruction via an online video training program at http://www.jiu-jitsu.net or at his school in N.Y. (http://www.jiu-jitsu.net/nyma).
For more information about him or his products, visit http://www.genesimco.com
Source: www.isnare.com
