No Gi Jiu Jitsu is a term used to describe a form of submission wrestling, or grappling. Specifically, it refers to an offshoot of traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or BJJ, a grappling-orientated combat sport where practitioners wear the kimono, or gi, a cloth outfit consisting of long pants and a heavy jacket. No Gi Jiu Jitsu refers to BJJ performed without the gi. Many techniques can still be applied without the gi as long as you modify them appropriately.
Control
In traditional jiujitsu, you can grasp the collar, sleeves, lapel and pants to control your opponent. Using these handles, you can secure a strong grip on your opponent. Without the gi, you do not have the same handles to grip and control. Instead, you need to use natural handles. No gi grappling expert Eddie Bravo recommends using wrestling grips to control your opponent instead. Control the arms by grasping the wrist or hooking your arms around your opponents. Control your opponent's head by wrapping your arm around the neck. You can also control the body by under-hooking his arms, wrapping your arms around his body below his arms and locking your hands together.
Takedowns
In grappling, there is a rule that getting position is more important than submitting your opponent. Unlike when you are wearing the gi, it is advantageous being on top of your opponent. Takedowns are the best way of achieving this. The most common is the wrestling double leg. From a standing position, drop to a crouch before stepping your front leg between your opponent's legs. Grasp your opponent's legs behind the knees, stepping your back leg past your opponent's center of gravity as you do so. Drive off this leg, which should now be your front leg, pulling his legs off the ground as you do so that you land on top.
Sweeps
If you end up underneath your opponent, you can use a sweep to regain top position. If you are on the bottom with both legs wrapped around your opponent's body as he kneels between your legs, this is known as the guard position. From here, unlock your legs, planting your left foot on the floor by his right leg. Reach over his left shoulder with your left arm and grasp his left arm, posting your right hand to your right. Drive off your left leg, swiveling your hips clockwise around your right leg as you swing your left leg over, sweeping your opponent to your right, landing on top of him.
Submissions
Submissions such as joint locks or chokes are an integral part of jiujitsu. They are the only definitive way to win a fight, in self-defense or in competition. Popular submissions include the guillotine choke, armbar, triangle choke and keylock. To perform the guillotine choke, face your opponent. Snap his head downwards, then wrap your arm around his neck with the blade of your forearm against his windpipe. The back of his neck should be against your chest. With your other hand, grasp your wrist and pull upwards. The guillotine can be performed from any position so long as you can wrap your legs around your opponent to maximize leverage.
References
- "Mastering Jiu Jitsu"; Renzo Gracie; 2003
- "Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge"; BJ Penn; 2007
- "Jiu Jitsu Unleashed"; Eddie Bravo; 2005
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