INTRODUCTION

When entering the realms of competition this choice has to be made. That is, what will give you the most beneficial advantage and strategy over your opponent? Here are but a few, of the strategies to be pondered.

IF YOU WEAR THE "Gi" - FEAR

Fear is something that you probably would not have thought about; it comes into the formula when your opponent has chosen to be bareback. The traditional grappler that wears the gi has generally been trained only with the gi, and the following factors may control the outcome of the fight.

- Not being able to use 60% of their technique, sometimes this is discovered only in the fight.
- The opponent has this 60% advantage in gaining a submission, due to you wearing a gi.
- Visualizing negative outcomes, causing tension and delay in reaction time that can lead to your defeat.
The best thing you can do is to be ready. To be able to be versatile in your technique and training methods and not to let the gi become your vice.

IF YOU WEAR THE "Gi"

– MECHANICAL / TECHNICAL GAIN

Your opponent might want to grapple or at least grab the gi, to off-balance, to balance themselves to strike you with close or long-range weapons, or to restrict your movements in some way.

This may be good or bad. Good if they grab hold of you with both hands, they usually will not strike but when they do are more likely to knee or head butt you. It is bad when they grab you with one hand, especially when the striker knows enough Jujitsu to keep him or herself from being taken to the ground. They use this grip to pull you off-balance into their knee, punch or elbow. So it is necessary when this happens to strike when the iron is hot.
When the opponent takes a grip on your gi, this provides you with an opportunity to lock, throw or enter to a safe position to strike or to down the opponent into your world on the ground. This is especially good if they are stand up fighters.
If you find your opponent to have a higher degree of skill on the ground, retreat from the situation and stand. This may sound unbelievable, but if you off-balance your opponents’ base on the ground, then this is the time you may stand to your feet. Being sure to keep a low stance, allowing for the opponent’s counter. The second option is that you position yourself when being taken to the ground, to allow for you to retreat much more swiftly to a standing position.
Another advantage for wearing a gi, is to use it against your opponent as a weapon – by smothering, wrapping them up (i.e. arm, wrist), or using a traditional strangling technique. You may even perform alternative strangling techniques with your lower pants leg or lower part of the jacket or belt.
Depending on how underhanded you wish to be, you can use the Gi to generate pain by causing a friction burn (some gi’s are very abrasive). But this is not good etiquette for the Jujitsu practitioner.

SOME OF THE MINOR MECHANICAL ADVANTAGES OVER LOOKED

The gi acts as a big cloth soaking up the sweat

Also provides surface friction, to aid in stability of the technique
Smothering is aimed at disrupting your opponents breathing, causing muscle fatigue.
It can snag your opponent’s hands and feet free sparring and grappling.

IF THE OPPONENNT WEARS THE "Gi"- FEAR

The fear here is that you do not know if your opponent is a striker or a grappler. The gi can be an illusion or distraction your own mind has come to the conclusion of, or your opponent is trying to allude.

IF THE OPPONENT WEARS THE "Gi"

- MECHANICAL / TECHNICAL GAIN

It could mean that your opponent is a grappler and will strike less. If they are stand-up fighters wearing a gi, do not waste time free sparring with the opponent. Enter with caution and shoot in, or allow your opponent to present their weapons and use them against him or her. In this way you may find an opening, use their momentum to off balance to execute a technique.

Some of the minor mechanical advantages over looked.

If you do not wear a gi and your opponent does:
- You do not get snagged on the gi, only your opponents,
- They cannot grip you very well; especially if they are strikers or jacket fighters,
- You are able to use 60% more strangling techniques, and other alternate techniques mentioned earlier, due to your opponent wearing a gi. Remember all these disadvantages and advantages of one also will apply to the other.
In the use of gi’s, one should not be biased in favour of one thing over another. Too much is the same as too little. Do not imitate or mimic others; one must have a strategy appropriate to oneself.
Be sure you know your limitations and have also studied your opponents. If you are considering entering into the fighting arena, it is necessary to carefully study these methods written here one by one and if you do your homework, you will find your fears will vanish.

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