No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Saint Paul, MO

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu in Saint Paul, MO. While traditionally 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 played in different attire has grown exponentionally. The emergence of mixed martial arts, the need for a more “functional” application of BJJ for self-defense, and growing cross-training with other combat sports has demonstrated the need for a kind of Brazilian jiu jitsu that can be more applicable to these situations. As a result, no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu was born, and has experienced wide popularity, with several events and competitions created solely for grapplers who elect not to wear the traditional gi when playing Brazilian jiu jitsu.

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

What Makes No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Special?

For much of its existence, Brazilian jiu jitsu has been played by martial artists wearing a loose jacket and pants, the jacket being held closed by a belt whose color marks its wearer’s rank. This tradition can be traced back to BJJ’s roots in judo: that sport has always been practiced in a gi, which is traditionally white although international competitions now require that one participant 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 a number of takedowns or submissions made possible using leverage one gained from holding the gi.

While jiu jitsu in more regular athletic attire has long been practiced in less formal circumstances, it has grown in prominence over the last two decades in Saint Paul, MO. Part of this was because of the creation of worldwide no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu competitions such as the ADCC World Championships and the addition of a no-gi division at the IBJJF Mundials, but arguably the larger reason for its growth has been the creation and massive growth of mixed martial arts. Early MMA cards had no rules regarding on what uniform 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 Paul, MO Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners who also were curious about MMA began no-gi grappling, which is done in shorts, a compression top called a rashguard, and occasionally compression shorts or tights called spats.

The difference in clothing is not the only thing that sets no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu apart from its older brother, either. Several submissions common in competitive gi BJJ, like the Ezequiel choke, loop choke, and lapel choke, are hard if not unable to pull off in no-gi BJJ. This is because these chokes require use of the gi top to add leverage. To compensate for 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 not permitted in gi Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Who Benefits From No-Gi Jiu Jitsu?

No-gi jiu jitsu in Saint Paul, MO is an excellent way to not only hone your skills as a Brazilian jiu jitsu player, but also to train for other combat sports or martial arts disciplines. A substantial number of Saint Paul athletes can benefit from no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu, including:

• MMA fighters: since as previously mentioned MMA is fought in apparel similar to that of no-gi jiu jitsu, learning submissions, ground control, and takedown defense without a gi is exceptionally beneficial if, for example, you are more of a Saint Paul, MO kickboxer or pure striker interested in MMA.
• Amateur wrestlers: much of no-gi BJJ is based around takedowns and defending them using sprawl, which is naturally beneficial for Saint Paul high school or collegiate wrestlers. In addition, many elite wrestlers have taken up MMA and found success after the conclusion of their amateur careers, and starting your Brazilian jiu jitsu journey early is a strong platform for this transitionmove.
• BJJ players training for competitions: many Saint Paul, MO Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments, both locally, nationally, and internationally, either have both gi and no-gi divisions or are strictly no-gi.
• You: not only is Brazlian jiu jitsu a great way to build fitness and make friends, no-gi jiu jitsu in Saint Paul, MO is also an ideal method of self-defense.

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

When you visit Gracie Barra O’Fallon to learn Brazilian jiu jitsu, you can expect to not only practice no-gi jiu jitsu in an enjoyable and friendly surrounding, but also to {learn skills from|be taught skills by| a Saint Paul, MO no-gi jiu jitsu expert. Our primary instructor, Mike Buckels, is a BJJ black belt under Marcio Feitosa, a previous winner of the ADCC World Championship, considered by many to be the world’s most elite no-gi jiu jitsu competition. He and all our teaching staff regularly compete — and win — in no-gi events and know what it takes to be a successful grappler at any level. Our teachers relish sharing their experience with Gracie Barra students, whether they are first-timers or experienced grapplers, and helping them grow both on the mat and off of it.

Gracie Barra O’Fallon provides Saint Paul, 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 commitments 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 book a free no-gi jiu jitsu class in Saint Paul to see for yourself how Gracie Barra O’Fallon is Saint Paul, MO’s finest no-gi jiu jitsu gym.