"Why I Don't Train in the Gi" by Marcos Avellan

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Just received this in an email from Marcos Avellan:



I hesitated before writing this email... in the grappling
world, the topic of gi versus no-gi can incite as much emotion
as arguments about religion, politics, or how to raise kids!

That being said, I keep getting questions about this topic.
People are curious as to why I train exclusively no-gi...
so here it goes!

The pro gi argument is that the gi is more technical because
there are more techniques needed because the gi itself is
a weapon. The grips, grip breaks, sweeps, and submission
holds that can be executed because of the gi mean there is
going to be a lot more technique involved than no gi.

However... my rebuttal is this... who cares! If your goal
is to be ready to fight without the gi, then the extra gi
techniques are irrelevant to me.

For instance, sword fighting is more technical than gun fighting.
Does that mean that our soldiers should be studying sword play
instead of shooting targets?

It is an extreme example but it is to illustrate a point.
In competition, there isn't a single extra technique that
the gi offers when there are no gis being worn. The extra
techniques being learned with the gi are as relevant to
no-gi competition as sword techniques are to gun fighting.

The next valid argument, the argument I respect most, is that
since there are more grips with the gi, if you are able to
maintain your base and counter submissions with the gi -
then without the gi, it would be even harder for an opponent
to sweep or submit you. I agree with this view 100%!

The problem is now the application though. If you were to
train with a gi on but with only "no gi" techniques, then
I think the gi would indeed be a very valuable training tool.
However, if you train with the gi to rely on grips, sweeps,
and submissions that require the uniform - then I think you are
preparing yourself for "no gi" shock! When you land on the
ground and can't reach for anything to grab, that initial
shock is taking away a split second of reaction time.

We all have a "Plan A" strategy when we roll... and if your
gi game has a "Plan A" that only works with gi... then when
you are exhausted in real combat without the gi and have to
pull from your training "Plan A" and come up short, that is
a problem.

To summarize my theory... if you train "no gi style" with the
gi - then I think the gi can be a very valuable training
tool. Just like how no-gi grappling can be a very valuable
tool for developing your ground work for MMA and self
defense... however, even with no-gi, if you get too much into
the sport grappling aspect, like using some of these fancy
new guards that leave your face exposed to punches, then you
are going to be training irrelevant techniques.

For instance, at our academy, we do not allow students to
lock their hands from bottom mount to prevent being submitted.
You can temporarily lock your hands to pull your arm free
from an Americana or armbar attempt - but you cannot get
mounted and simply lock your hands together in an effort to
buy time and not get submitted! Why we don't allow it?
Because in a real fight your opponent would be pounding your
face in while you have your hands locked.

Remember, both gi and no-gi grappling were developed as
training tools for self defense - period! For that reason,
I personally believe that one should grapple in a way that
is most conducive to fighting.

So now you all understand the reason I train no-gi!

Sincerely,
Marcos Avellan
www.MarcosAvellan.com
1-888-FFA-GYMS

[sprawlnow]

the Gi is so good for weight cutting i say train with the Gi on but grapple in a clinched no gi style

[Spínola]

On the top of my mind the gi advantages/disadvantages are:

Gi pros:

- Harder to defend;
- Learning how to break and deal with grips;
- Harder to deal with heavier opponents;
- More uncomfortable (the gi is cumbersome) and you sweat more to;
- You get tired faster with the gi (at least me);

Gi cons:

- You can start relying to much on grips and pulling and less on clinching and hooks;
- Slower and less dynamic rolls (more stalling to), so you actually practice less techniques per roll than in a no-gi roll;
- Less fun;
- Lots of gi specific techniques that only work with the gi and are useless anywhere else;
- Some techniques are lower percentage with the gi, like the guillotine, and you don't train them has much;
- The gi is more inconvenient to wash, dry and carry around than the no-gi equipment;

[Will Thaxton]

I roll both bc they are both fun to me. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Spínola]

I roll both bc they are both fun to me. Nothing more, nothing less.

I like them both, but i have more fun with no-gi, the rolls are faster and more dynamic.

If i had the chance i would like to train 50% gi and 50% no-gi.

[DavePC18]

I like both... Gi and No Gi ....I also get Marcos Avellen emails. As well as his brother David Avellen

[Josh Passini]

I hespech the gi but I don't roll in it since my goal is to be a no-gi specialist. I do however help train my competitors that will roll in the gi at comp. Its all jiu jitsu at the end of the day.

[Jason Morgan]

I do 50/50 gi and no gi. Love them both and they're two different sports. Also, rubber guard works great with the gi!

[David Rosado]

I agree with him. Unfortunately, I'll likely have to start using the gi soon. There is a shortage of exclusively no gi schools in Boston.

Edited to avoid confusion.

[Chris Herzog]

I agree with him. Unfortunately, I'll likely have to start using the gi soon. There is a shortage of exclusively no gi schools.

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