If you like GI and No-GI BJJ you’ll eventually have to choose between the two. Of course, you can practice the two and enhance your skills as a BJJ practitioner. There are several advantages to both forms and one should definitely be proficient in each to get polish them as martial artists. Both forms are unique and beneficial, like in no-gi is fast paced, but you cannot grip, but there are plenty of techniques and attacks you can do.

While with the GI you can grip it and take advantage of that grip by performing chokes, armbars, etc. But to go beyond good you would have to choose one. If the traditional style BJJ Gi, is your choice, then continue with this article. In this style the Gi is not just to show off, it is a functional and essential part of the game. Choking with the Gi is not new in the traditional BJJ style. The following are a few ways in which you can get creative with the gi and use it to your advantage.

Attacking With BJJ GI

In BJJ Gi is mandatory and serves a crucial and functional role. One who doesn’t know BJJ might think it is just a tradition or merely a uniform. When in actuality it serves purposes like taking control, defense, and to be used as to execute your techniques like grappling, chokes, etc. Grip sets the tone and result of a BJJ match.

To make your grip strong you should know how to control and where to grip the GI from. As your game evolves you will become better at using the GI to your advantage. Now let’s have a look at how you can use the GI to your advantage in BJJ.

BJJ Gi Chokes

Using the Gi collar in BJJ for chokes is the most common move. But you can also use the lapel and sleeves too to get your opponent in a choke which they won’t be expecting. Using your opponent’s gi against them is a cool move to have up your sleeve. One of the most amazing things about it is they cannot fight because the more they move the tighter your choke will get. But that does not mean there is no way to break it.

Lapel choke

Get the side lapel from the belt using it to trap the far side arm by grabbing it with the hand you have under the opponent’s head. Now use your other arm to insert it in the loop created by the lapel and thread it as far as you can. Finish the move like you would end an Ezekiel choke.

If you don’t have the space to form a loop you can get to a knee-on-belly position. Then thread your hand in and palm up and form a lapel baseball choke. Now you are all ready to go.

Collar Chokes

Using collars to form chokes is not just cool to see and learn, but they are one of the most effective ways too. To do this all you have to do is use the collar to put pressure on the opponent’s carotid arteries. Keep the pressure on and your opponent in control and keep on doing so until they submit. The best thing about these are they are applicable from any position and tough to escape from.

Skirt Attacks

The fabric beneath the belt can also be used to perform different techniques. One of the forms is the toe hold variation where you use your own gi to hold the toehold. To do this thread the lapel inside around the opponent’s calf. Keep wrapping the lapel to put pressure on the ankle until they submit. But be sure to keep the side arm under control.

Armbar

Armbar is another effective technique the skirt or pants can be used for to gain control. You have to use it to wrap it and control the arm which makes it difficult for the opponent to escape. From there onward you can form a traditional armbar or any other technique you like. .

Get Creative!

In BJJ the gi is much more than just a piece of uniform, while in many other martial arts it serves as one. Here it is a weapon and something you can use to form and execute techniques. However, to be a great martial artist you should not revolve your game around this method. But knowing and executing it efficiently is important. Don’t just follow what you know or learn, be creative, and maybe find new innovative ways to use your or your opponent’s GI to your own advantage!