Picture this: You’ve just walked into Coach Brady’s Wednesday Fundamentals class and you hear someone say, “Are you staying for No-Gi?” Confused, you walk into your changing room and get ready for class, putting on your gi and tying your belt around your waist still having no idea what No-Gi is. After Coach Brady’s class ends, you notice people around you waiting for the next class are dressed in tight fitting rashguards, spats, and grappling shorts. Not a gi in sight.
The oversimplified answer to “What is No-Gi?” is simply Jiu Jitsu without the gi. No gi. Due to the nature of not having a gi, there are some differences in the style of No-Gi Jiu Jitsu. We’ve outlined them here.
No-Gi
Doesn’t use the gi. Instead, practitioners wear rashguards, spats, and grappling shorts
You cannot grab the material.
Tends to be a lot slipperier and filled with more scrambles.
Yes-Gi
Uses the gi.
You can grab the material and utilize it to your advantage.
Tends to be a lot tighter and doesn’t have as many scrambles.
The fundamentals of each style are the same. After all, it’s still Jiu Jitsu—just a different style.
We’ll see you on the mats!
