No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Saint Charles, MO

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu in Saint Charles, MO. While usually Brazilian jiu jitsu has been trained and contested by martial artists wearing a kimono-and-pants combination called a gi, recently interest in jiu jitsu conducted in a different uniform has grown exponentionally. The rise of mixed martial arts, a desire for a more “functional” type of BJJ for self-defense, and increased cross-training with other combat sports has demonstrated the need for a form of Brazilian jiu jitsu that can be more appropriate for these situations. Thus, no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu was created, and has enjoyed wide popularity, with a number of competitions and events created entirely for grapplers who elect not to wear the traditional gi when playing Brazilian jiu jitsu.

At Gracie Barra O’Fallon, our instructors recognize the merits of Brazilian jiu jitsu played either in a gi and in more athletic clotrhing. While many of our jiu jitsu classes in Saint Charles, MO are done in the traditional gi, we offer no-gi jiu jitsu for teens and adults of all levels every week. Take a look at our schedule or contact us by calling 636-544-3655 or online for more information on our full slate of Brazilian jiu jitsu classes, including no-gi jiu jitsu in Saint Charles, for all ages and levels.

What Makes No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Different?

For much of its existence, Brazilian jiu jitsu has been practiced by martial artists wearing a loose jacket and pants, the jacket being tightened by a belt whose color marks its wearer’s rank. This practice can be attributed to to BJJ’s beginnings in judo: that sport has always been performed in a gi, which is usually white although international competitions now require that one contestant in each match must wear a blue gi. The use of a gi also impacted much of BJJ’s style as a martial art, with many takedowns or moves made possible using leverage one acquired from holding the gi.

While jiu jitsu in more regular sporting attire has long been practiced in less formal situations, it has exploded in popularity over the last two decades in Saint Charles, MO. This is partially because of the inception of international no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments like the ADCC World Championships and the addition of a no-gi division at the IBJJF Mundials, but possibly the bigger catalyst for its growth has been the creation and worldwide expansion of mixed martial arts. Early MMA events had no restrictions on what attire participants could wear — indeed, a Gracie family member won the first two UFC tournaments wearing a gi — but the creation of the Unified Rules of MMA meant that the only permitted clothing for male fighters is shorts or trunks. Thus, a substantial number of Saint Charles, MO Brazilian jiu jitsu students who also were curious about MMA began no-gi grappling, which is played in shorts, a compression top known as a rashguard, and occasionally compression shorts or tights referred to as spats.

The difference in clothing is not the only thing that distinguishes no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu from its cousin, either. Multiple submissions common in competitive gi BJJ, such as the Ezequiel choke, loop choke, and lapel choke, are difficult or unable to achieve in no-gi BJJ. This is due to the fact that these chokes necessitate use of the gi top to provide leverage. To counter-balance the loss of these submissions, most no-gi competitions allow competitors to {score|achieve| submissions by way of heel-hooks or kneebars, which are both prohibited in gi Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Who Benefits From No-Gi Jiu Jitsu?

No-gi jiu jitsu in Saint Charles, MO is an exceptional method to not only sharpen your skills as a Brazilian jiu jitsu player, but also to train for other combat sports or martial arts disciplines. A significant amount of Saint Charles athletes can benefit from no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu, such as:

• MMA fighters: since as we mentioned MMA is fought in attire similar to that of no-gi jiu jitsu, learning takedown defense, submissions, and ground control without a gi is incredibly advantageous if, for example, you are more of a Saint Charles, MO kickboxer or pure striker moving into MMA.
• Amateur wrestlers: much of no-gi BJJ is based around takedowns and defending them using sprawl, which is inherently beneficial for Saint Charles high school or collegiate wrestlers. As well, many high-level wrestlers have transitioned to MMA successfully following the end of their amateur careers, and beginning your Brazilian jiu jitsu journey as soon as possible is an excellent base for this transitionmove.
• BJJ players wanting to enter competitions: many Saint Charles, MO Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments, both locally, nationally, and internationally, either have both gi and no-gi divisions or are only no-gi.
• You: not only is Brazlian jiu jitsu a great way to get fit and make friends, no-gi jiu jitsu in Saint Charles, MO is also an excellent method of self-defense.

Learn No-Gi Jiu Jitsu In Saint Charles, MO | Gracie Barra O’Fallon

When you visit Gracie Barra O’Fallon to learn Brazilian jiu jitsu, you can expect to not only experience no-gi jiu jitsu in an enjoyable and friendly surrounding, but also to {learn skills from|be taught skills by| a Saint Charles, MO no-gi jiu jitsu expert. Our lead instructor, Mike Buckels, is a BJJ black belt under Marcio Feitosa, a previous winner of the ADCC World Championship, regarded by many as the world’s finest no-gi jiu jitsu competition. He and the rest of our teaching staff regularly compete — and win — in no-gi events and know what it takes to be a champion grappler at any level. Our instructors relish sharing their skills with Gracie Barra students, whether they are just beginning their BJJ journey or longtime grapplers, and helping them become better both on the mat and off of it.

Gracie Barra O’Fallon offers Saint Charles, MO no-gi jiu jitsu instruction for both teens and adults. They are open to all, regardless of your belt level or experience, and are conveniently scheduled to fit around your busy life and any other sporting conflicts you might have. Talk to us today at 636-544-3655 for more information, or contact us online to learn more about how you can schedule a free no-gi jiu jitsu class in Saint Charles to experience for yourself how Gracie Barra O’Fallon is Saint Charles, MO’s premier no-gi jiu jitsu gym.