No-Gi Judo

[MaliMisho]

My question is: how effective is Judo when its done without the Gi?

Or in other words, would cross training in Judo help for No-Gi BJJ competitions or MMA competitions? Also, do Judo schools typically train with and without the Gi as BJJ schools do?

(I know when Judo is done without the Gi its not technically called Judo anymore, but it was the best way for me to describe it)

[Chapel]

I don't know why I am telling you think on the forums instead of in person, especially since you probably already know what I am going to say.

I am of the belief that basically anything you can learn will either help or be neutral in MMA or self defense. Specifically in No-Gi BJJ, I would be inclined to believe the same. HOWEVER, specifically learning BJJ instead of "No-Gi Judo" is probably a better use of your time (if you have a limited amount of time before a specific competition).

All that said, I yield the floor to Triangle for the correct answer with MMA and Joe for the correct answer about BJJ.

[MaliMisho]

The angle I'm coming from is this:

I plan to cross train in Judo a little. I know it will help out a lot for BJJ with a Gi, but will it help a lot with BJJ No-Gi and the same with MMA. I also agree that it definitely wouldn't hurt and I'm sure it will definitely help in some way but how much will it help?

The angle to the other part to my question is, when I do train in Judo, will it be all Gi training and I'm going to have to figure out how to adapt it to No-Gi myself, or will I get to practice it without a Gi as well?

[Joemoplata]

Malimisho,

I have been doing BJJ and No-gi both a long time, but my standup isn't very good. Since I know that my Black Belt is coming around the corner, I don't feel very good that considering the credentials of my instructors I am going to be represening them at the black belt level without that part of my game being complete. So, I am doing Judo exclusively now twice a week with our top guy and will soon be doing some classes with a famous Olympic gold medalist in the area to supplement on the side. My standup had progressed considerably in a short period of time as a result, but it's pretty much gi specific techniques that I have been concentrating on.

HOWEVER.

I can tell that this is going to help my no-gi tremendously as well. The reason being that I have never been much of a shot guy, I prefer to work out of a clinch anyway in no-go so I think this will work very very well for both. In fact, I know that it is because I have seen it already. So I think that you would be surprised how easily adaptable you can make things taking the gi off.

[MaliMisho]

Originally Posted by Joemoplata

I can tell that this is going to help my no-gi tremendously as well. The reason being that I have never been much of a shot guy, I prefer to work out of a clinch anyway in no-go so I think this will work very very well for both. In fact, I know that it is because I have seen it already. So I think that you would be surprised how easily adaptable you can make things taking the gi off.

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I'm also not much of a shot guy either (part of the reason for that is I'm not as good at it).

[ProKarateShop]

Train hard, my friend. If you are focusing on MMA, the benefits of cross-training will be obvious. I would just not focus on one technique too much. You don't want to have overt holes in your training.

[JuJido]

With my limited experience I might be talking completely out of my arse but of the six throws I've learned in JJJ so far, I think five of them could be made to work in a no-Gi situation (obviously a Gi would make it easier though).

They are:

O Goshi
Koshi Guruma
Ippon Seoi Nage
O Soto Gari
O Uchi Gari

No idea as to whether or not the spelling is right. For those of you in the know, what do you think? Am I completely off-track here or is there some validity to my conclusions?

[john55]

Originally Posted by MaliMisho

My question is: how effective is Judo when its done without the Gi?

Or in other words, would cross training in Judo help for No-Gi BJJ competitions or MMA competitions? Also, do Judo schools typically train with and without the Gi as BJJ schools do?

(I know when Judo is done without the Gi its not technically called Judo anymore, but it was the best way for me to describe it)

It will definitely help! I dont think judo schools training no gi is very common though. Judo will teach you great no gi takedowns such as the single/double leg takedowns and all of the others you just learn to adjust your grips. its kinda like going from gi to no gi bjj, you just adjust your grips and work with what you have.

[TRIANGLEFROMGUARD]

I am a shot guy but I love the clinch as well. I don't see how Judo couldn't help you in this. You may have to make small adjustments to make the throws relavent in a nogi situation but, it is completely do able.