As I mentioned in "Jits", the traditional wear for Jiu Jitsu is the gi (guh-ee, gee, no "j" sound) I don't care for the gi mostly because it takes away from the purity of fighting- it levels the playing field between heavier, stronger fighters and lighter, weaker fighters. I'm not saying I want to strip down and grease up like a gladiator but you don't see MMA fighters wearing anything but gloves and shorts.
The gi levels the playing field. It's easier to grab and hold onto. Weaker fighters can gain limb control by grabbing sleeves or pant legs. And they can get easy chokes by grabbing collars. This works to the advantage of smaller guys like myself (5'8" 160) but doesn't help answer the question that we're all here to answer, "Who can kick whose butt?"
It gets messed up. It's not the simplest piece of clothing you own. The pants have a drawstring, no fly. If you have to pee in the middle of practice, it's a 5 minute endeavor. The top opens up like a blazer and is cinched off by a belt (white, blue, black etc.) that denotes your skill level. The sides of the top get all messed up and come out of the belt. The belt is 4-5 cm wide and is tied in a square knot and comes undone frequently. You probably spend a total of 5 minutes per practice just pulling down each side and re-tightening the belt. Not that appearance is important, but you don't want flaps and belts all over the place. How is your opponent supposed to choke you when your jacket isn't tucked into your belt? It's just bad form.
It's hot. Kevlar cotton is not thin. Crazy sweat. Absorptive at least.
One major advantage to the gi is that it is basically indestructible. Dudes weighing several hundred pounds grab, twist, and pull on it for hours without a tear. The textile developers who created the gi definitely know what's up. You may have spent $80 on that gi but you're not going to tear your favorite Hard Rock Orlando shirt or throwback UNC basketball shorts.
Another MAJOR advantage is that you look like Ryu from Street Fighter. I haven't cut the sleeves off or gotten red gloves yet but I have 11 months until the next Halloween. I will be shoryuken-ing and haduken-ing people left and right.
Keep training,
LSF
The gi levels the playing field. It's easier to grab and hold onto. Weaker fighters can gain limb control by grabbing sleeves or pant legs. And they can get easy chokes by grabbing collars. This works to the advantage of smaller guys like myself (5'8" 160) but doesn't help answer the question that we're all here to answer, "Who can kick whose butt?"
It gets messed up. It's not the simplest piece of clothing you own. The pants have a drawstring, no fly. If you have to pee in the middle of practice, it's a 5 minute endeavor. The top opens up like a blazer and is cinched off by a belt (white, blue, black etc.) that denotes your skill level. The sides of the top get all messed up and come out of the belt. The belt is 4-5 cm wide and is tied in a square knot and comes undone frequently. You probably spend a total of 5 minutes per practice just pulling down each side and re-tightening the belt. Not that appearance is important, but you don't want flaps and belts all over the place. How is your opponent supposed to choke you when your jacket isn't tucked into your belt? It's just bad form.
It's hot. Kevlar cotton is not thin. Crazy sweat. Absorptive at least.
One major advantage to the gi is that it is basically indestructible. Dudes weighing several hundred pounds grab, twist, and pull on it for hours without a tear. The textile developers who created the gi definitely know what's up. You may have spent $80 on that gi but you're not going to tear your favorite Hard Rock Orlando shirt or throwback UNC basketball shorts.
Another MAJOR advantage is that you look like Ryu from Street Fighter. I haven't cut the sleeves off or gotten red gloves yet but I have 11 months until the next Halloween. I will be shoryuken-ing and haduken-ing people left and right.
Keep training,
LSF
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