Combat pit official logo black
Back to Glossary
Home
Search
Martial Arts Culture and History
Gear and Equipment
Personalities
Skill Development
Mind and Body Connection
Weapons and Traditional Tools
Martial arts map
Complete blog posts directory
Contact

No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What is No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that is practiced without the traditional kimono, or gi. In No-Gi BJJ, practitioners typically wear rash guards, shorts, or spats, which are tighter-fitting athletic clothing designed to minimize friction and prevent the grabbing of clothing during grappling.

Key characteristics of No-Gi BJJ include:

  1. Grip and Control: Unlike traditional BJJ, where practitioners can use the gi to grab and control their opponent, No-Gi BJJ relies more on body grips, such as overhooks, underhooks, and head control. This often results in a faster-paced and more dynamic style of grappling.
  2. Techniques and Strategies: While many of the foundational techniques are similar between Gi and No-Gi BJJ, some techniques and strategies are more effective in one style versus the other. For example, certain chokes and submissions that rely on the gi are not applicable in No-Gi, and practitioners may focus more on leg locks, wrestling-based takedowns, and positional control.
  3. Competitions: No-Gi BJJ has its own set of competitions and tournaments, which are governed by different rulesets depending on the organization. Some of the most well-known No-Gi competitions include the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Championship and the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) No-Gi World Championship.
  4. Training: Training for No-Gi BJJ often includes a significant emphasis on wrestling and submissions that do not rely on the gi. This can make No-Gi BJJ more applicable to mixed martial arts (MMA) and self-defense scenarios, where opponents are unlikely to be wearing a gi.

Overall, No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a versatile and effective form of grappling that complements traditional Gi BJJ and offers practitioners a different set of challenges and techniques to master.

Related Article: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Gentle Art of Ground Fighting

Train to be able to defend yourself against any attack, and at the same time, retain your good heart towards other people. Don't allow bad people to turn your heart hard, but always be ready to defend yourself should you have to.
Bohdi Sanders

Check out the latest blogs

See all articles

Other Glossary terms

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Nage-Waza
Nage-Waza is a term in Judo that refers to throwing techniques.
N
Enshin
Enshin Karate is a modern style of karate founded by Joko Ninomiya in 1988.
E
Wushu
Wushu is a modern exhibition and full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts.
W
Ssireum
Ssireum is a traditional form of Korean wrestling that has been practiced for centuries.
S
Kubotan
A kubotan is a self-defense keychain weapon developed by Sōke Takayuki Kubota in the late 1960s.
K
Submission
In the context of martial arts and combat sports, a submission is a technique used to force an opponent to concede defeat, typically due to pain, the threat of injury, or an inability to escape.
S
Shuangdao
Shuangdao (双刀), also known as Double Broadsword, is a traditional Chinese martial art that involves the use of two dao (刀), which are single-edged broadswords.
S
Mai Sok San
In the context of traditional Thai martial arts, particularly Krabi Krabong, "Mai Sok San" refers to a type of weapon that is essentially a pair of wooden clubs or batons, often designed with a handle.
M
Tekko
Tekko are traditional Okinawan weapons that resemble brass knuckles or knuckle dusters.
P
Satba
A "satba" is a crucial piece of equipment used in Ssireum, the traditional Korean wrestling sport.
S
Folding Fan (Phi tiêu)
The Folding Fan, known as "Phi Tiêu" in Vietnamese, is a traditional weapon used in various martial arts, including Vovinam.
F
Bamboo Sword (Dao)
In martial arts, the term "Bamboo Sword (Dao)" typically refers to a practice weapon made from bamboo that is designed to emulate the characteristics of a traditional Chinese dao.
B
Qiangshu
Qiangshu (枪术), also known as Spear Technique, is a traditional Chinese martial art that focuses on the use of the qiang (枪), a spear.
Q
Jun Fan Gung Fu
Jun Fan Gung Fu is a martial arts system developed by Bruce Lee before he created Jeet Kune Do.
J
Kyū
In the context of Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery, Kyū (級) refers to the ranking system used to measure the proficiency and skill level of practitioners.
K
No Items Found