Vulkan Fight Wear Company was formed in 2003 in Brazil and quickly made their mark with some of the best BJJ to hit the market in a long time. Vulkan have continued their success and in my opinion make the best bjj gi of all time, the Vulkan Pro light. The jacket is made from a honey comb weave fabric that makes this GI light weight but also very comfortable plus it also helps the GI dry quicker. The Pro Light is one of the lightest Jiu Jitsu GIs around making it ideal for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition and hot summer days. The GI has also been treated using an industrial process to minimize the chance of shrinkage after washing it. The collar of the Vulkan kimono has a rubber insert making it very comfortable because the lapel has better flexibility and it can shape itself to your neck. The Pro light comes in white, blue, black, red, yellow and white/blue so there really is a colour for everyone. For me the Pro light is the best BJJ GI because it ticks all the boxes that a good BJJ GI should like be strong, durable, light weight and comfortable and have a tailored fit.
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Essential Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Drills
In Brazilian jiu jitsu its never a good idea to be flat on your back because its it limits your ability to move around and it also gives your opponent opportunities to be offensive against you. when you do find yourself on your back the shrimp move can be an excellent technique to use to get yourself on to your side and create enough space between you and your opponent. Once youve got that space you can use it to escape to your feet or to execute an attack. This is more of a defensive move than an attacking move and should be drilled every time you train possibly in the warm up. When starting out its important to do the moves slowly so that you keep the correct form but with experience you can do the drill with speed.
Sometimes when sparring in a bjj gi there’s a need to disengage from the fight and the best way to do this is to stand in posture. An example of this is when your opponent is shutting down your sweeps and attacks because he has the weight and leverage advantage. This position is a battle of wills and you can waste a lot of energy. A way around this is to stand to posture. This is one of the most basic of techniques but it is also an essential one to learn. You should base with one of your arms and keep your opponent away with your other arm. When you try to stand you should keep good posture in your back and shoulders. This technique should be drilled on a weekly basis and added to your warm up.
When fighting in a bjj gi from your back its a good idea to become adequate in various attacks from the guard. Apart from the obvious benefits like submitting your opponent it attacks can also be used to setup sweeps and escapes. One of the main attacks from the guard is the arm bar. This is one of the very first techniques you will learn but you will also continue to use it through your training. When drilling the arm bar you should focus on doing all of the parts of the technique correctly, slowing down if you need to. You should focus on positioning hips to the side, apply downward pressure with your legs to stop your opponent from posturing up and control his arm properly. When you can do all of these key points correctly you can then add speed.
The triangle is another essential move that you should learn from the BJJ guard. It can be a very high percentage attack and should not be over looked. For it to be effective you will need to focus on learning the correct movements and learn to not rush or skip through them. The purpose of the triangle drill is to learn how to lift your hips in the air and then to shift your hips from side to side. A key point to remember is to bridge your hips high in the air because this allows you to snare your opponents head in case he postures up.
The omoplata shoulder lock is a very effective technique in Brazilian jiu jitsu. It is one of the first techniques you learn but its one that you will use throughout you fighting career. A great way to practice the omoplata is by doing it with no hands. By training it without the use of your hands you you build up the conditioning in your legs and get better at the movement because it can be an awkward movement to get used to.
Breaking Posture in Guard
One of the most important things to learn in BJJ is breaking some ones posture. In Jiu Jitsu posture is king. If you cannot break you opponents posture then you won’t be doing much to him in terms of attacks. When you’re attempting to use an attacking closed guard then breaking his posture is essential. Your opponent is going to do everything in his power to keep his posture and try to keep a safe distance from you and by doing this it makes it easier for him to avoid submissions. For you to be effective you will need to break his posture and there are various ways you can do this. Some of the best ways include pulling down on his lapel, pulling his sleeves and drawing him on to you with the use of your legs. Below we will outline the best ways to break some ones posture in guard.
One of the first things you will notice when you have someone in your closed guard is that they will try to control you by gripping you by your bjj gi most likely on your lapel and on your trousers. The idea behind this is that they can control your hips with the grip on your trousers and control you from sitting up with the grip on your lapel. If you allow your opponent to establish these grips then you’re making things so much harder for yourself because it’s harder to stop the grips than to break them. Stopping your opponent from getting these grips can be done in various ways and they include opening your GI out and by grip fighting.
As much as you try to stop your opponent establishing grips when in your guard there will be times when he will get the grips and you will need to know how to break his posture from this position. A great way to do this is by using his elbows to pull him forward. The way you do this is by taking an outside grip on his elbows and simultaneously opening out his elbows and drawing him with your legs. Another point to remember is that you should move your head to the side opposite to the side that you’re moving your opponent to, to avoid his head colliding with yours.
There will be times when your opponent will be stronger than you and certain techniques will be made harder because of the difference in strength. A great way to counter this difference in strength is to gain head control. This can be done by slipping one of your arms underneath one of his arms and then reaching round the back of his head and pulling him on to you. One other thing to consider is his other arm this can sometimes give you problems the best way to counter these problems before they happen is to use your free arm and to control his arm by gripping his sleeve.
If your opponent is determined to keep his posture in your guard then it can get very difficult to break him down this is why you will need to know different techniques to achieve your goal. As you progress in your bjj gi you will not only want to survive you will want to attack and submit your opponent. A great way to do this from guard is to use the whizzer control. This is done by wrapping your arm around your opponents and then gripping his lapel. This is a great way to control your opponent and to also trap his arm and this position can then be used to setup various submissions including arm bars, triangles and omoplatas.
BJJ Choke attacks
In Brazilian jiu jitsu choke attacks are very effective especially when training in the GI because you have added attacks due to the use of the lapel. Today we are going to focus on chokes from the closed guard. Some of the most popular choke attacks include collar chokes, arm chokes and triangle chokes. Although all of the chokes may look different the goal is the same, to cut off the blood to your opponent’s brain. This is done by putting pressure on your opponent’s carotid arteries which are on either side of your neck. Chokes can be very effective and will either submit your opponent of put him unconscious. Some common mistakes people make are to put all their strength in to the choke straight away and burn out there arms and another mistake is to apply pressure in spurts and this lets the blood still flow. The key to choke successfully is to keep constant pressure through the choke this stops the blood flow and the choke gets worse the longer its applied.
Using your opponent’s bjj gi collar to choke him is a highly effective way to finish him. It’s important with most collar chokes to get a deep first grip on the collar and also to position the blade of your wrist across one of his carotid arteries. The second grip is also important it doesn’t have to be as deep because the second grip is used as the stabilizer. Once both grips are established your draw your opponent towards you and open out your elbows and this is what creates the pressure on his carotid arteries and severs the blood to the brain. Although there are a lot of defences to collar chokes they are great for setting up other attacks. To stop the attack your opponent will have to uses his hands to release the pressure from your hands and it’s from this position you can normally transition to an arm bar or triangle choke.
Arm chokes include arm triangles and guillotines. To establish either of these techniques you will need to close the distance between you both. This can be done either by sitting up or by dragging him down. Like all other chokes its best practice to keep constant pressure when applying them. Another mistake most people make is to apply either choke when flat on their back. This can cause unnecessary pressure for you so the best way to counter this is to apply the choke when you’re on your side.
One of the most popular and effective chokes in a bjj gi is the triangle choke. Most people can get to the position triangle choke position but have problems with the finish. One of the main things to remember is to control your opponents head otherwise they can posture out of it. The next thing to consider is your position. Most people try to finish from being directly in front of your opponent. This creates two problems. Firstly it allows your opponent to stack you and you definitely don’t want to be stacked and secondly it makes it harder to get the finish because it’s hard to get your leg directly across his neck. A lot of the time if you’re in front of your opponent your leg will be partly on his neck and partly down his back and this will not get the choke. The best way to get the best position and get the finish is to angle your body off to the side. This helps in two ways. Firstly it stops the ability for your opponent to stack you and secondly you can get the best angle to position your leg across his neck.
Arm Chokes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Arm chokes can be some of the most effective attacks in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The way they work is by using your arms to cut off the blood supply to your opponent’s carotid arteries. There are many variations including the guillotine, Peruvian neck tie and rear naked choke to name a few. Below we will outline some of the most popular.
The Guillotine is one of the most popular attacks in a bjj gi and is also one of the first chokes you learn but will always stay effective through your career. Marcello Garcia is known for the Guillotine and uses to beat some of the world’s best. An ideal position to use the guillotine is from the closed guard. If he’s keeping good posture you can sit up in to him and his natural reaction is to drive you back down and this is the ideal time to wrap your arm around his neck and go for the guillotine attack. It’s important to cup your palm over his chin and pull his head deep in to your arm pit this helps to secure the head and also make a tight choke.
The Arm Triangle is an effective move in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and can be done from the top position like the mount or from the closed guard although it’s harder to finish from the closed guard than it is from the top. This choke works is by using one of your arms to cut off the blood from one side of the neck and also by using one of his own arms to cut off the other side of his necks blood supply. This is a very effective technique but a lot of people tend to struggle with it. The reason for this is that they use their entire squeeze straight away on the choke but the key to an effective choke is to squeeze at a constant pressure.
The Leg Triangle is one of the most effective attacks in BJJ and can be done in a BJJ GI or in No-Gi. It can be a devastating move when done correctly. It involves wrapping one of your legs around your opponent’s neck and then locking your foot underneath your other knee. Once you have the position locked you the pull down on your opponent’s neck and this applies the choke.
Collar chokes are awesome chokes that can be done from various positions in BJJ but they require the use of the bjj gi collar to apply the choke. There are also variations of collar chokes that use one grip of the collar and one grip not on the collar but on another part of the BJJ GI.
The Rear Naked Choke is one of the most popular and effective attacks to use in BJJ GI Jiu Jitsu and also in NO-GI and MMA. The reason that the RNC is so effective is that it is done when you have control of your opponent from his back and it’s this that makes it harder from him to defend his self. This choke is done by putting your arm under your opponents chin and then putting the hand of that arm in the elbow crease of your other arm and then squeezing from there.
The Peruvian neck tie is a similar attack to the guillotine but instead of being in front of your opponent you’re to the side of him and you place your leg over his head. This applies more pressure to the choke and it also stops him from being able to roll out of the technique. This choke is popular in BJJ but probably even more popular in Mixed Martial Arts.
Submission sniper BJJ GI Review
Background info – submission sniper is a relatively new BJJ GI company that has taken the UK by storm in 2011. They started out with the submission sniper black ops bjj gi and although it was warmly received by some there were a lot of people who was undecided on it. They then brought out the limited edition Braulio Estima BJJ GI and it sold like hot cakes! 2012 should be a big year for submission sniper they are definitely one to watch.
Flagship Models – Black ops, Limited Edition Braulio Estima and Avenger Gi
Colours – Currently Submission Sniper only produce white and black BJJ Gi’s but with their rise in popularity I am sure that they will start to produce blue and navy blue Gi’s.
Materials Gi Top – The Submission Sniper Braulio Gi’s are made from a very nice 450GSM pearl weave material that is light in weight and also very soft and supple to the touch. The Avenger Gi is made from a very light Gold weave. The gold weave used is very soft but also very strong. The Gi jacket has a tailored fit so that sleeves are nice and tight to the arms. All of the joins are triple stitched so that they are built to last.
Materials Trousers – The trousers are made from a very light 8oz cotton material and have a double lied knee area for extra strength and durability.
Patches – All of the patches are fully embroidered and have double stitch lines and are a lot stronger than most other patches.
I think that Submission Sniper makes excellent bjj gi and i can see big things from them in the near future. Their Gi’s are very well made and excellent value for money. One thing they could do to further the brand is add more variation in colours but I’m sure they will do this in the not too distant future.
Your Guide to Choosing a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi
With the rise in popularity of mixed martial arts Brazilian jiu jitsu has gained a massive following with people training in this art fulltime or adding it to their mixed martial arts training. Everyone who trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will need a BJJ GI but with so many different companies now offering numerous Gi’s you could easily choose the wrong one for yourself and your training. Below we will outline the 3 most important things to consider when choosing your BJJ GI.
Weave: One of the most important things to consider when choosing a BJJ GI is the type of cotton weave that the BJJ GI is made from. The 4 main weaves are single weave, double weave, gold weave and pearl weave. Single weaves are light in weight, supple and comfortable but are not very strong and BJJ being a physical sport single weaves can sometimes get ripped or torn. Double weaves are a lot stronger but they are also very heavy. Some people prefer them for that very reason especially people who have crossed over from judo where grip fighting has an importance. There not recommended in summer months because they can make you very hot during intense training. Gold weaves used to be the best weave bjj gi that you could buy because they were a cross between the single weave and the double weave. You had the lightness of the single and the strength of the double. Unfortunately the gold weave is notorious for shrinkage with some GI’s shrinking up to 5%-10% in size. Some people order a size bigger then there normally size to allow for shrinkage. By far the best weave is the pearl weave. The pearl weave is similar to the single weave but has the strength of the double weave. Also because of the tightness of the weave its very lightweight and hardly suffers from shrinkage.
Cut: when choosing the cut of the BJJ GI it comes down to personal preferences. Some people like the feel of a tailored cut GI that is tight to your body. The reason for this is that people find it hard to grab or grip an opponents GI when it’s closer to their body as there is less material to grab. Other people prefer to have a loose fitted BJJ GI because it gives them greater freedom of movement when training or sparring but with looser fitting BJJ GI there is always more material to grab especially round the cuffs of the trousers and sleeves and also the lapels
Size: BJJ GI’s come in “A” sizes. A1, A2, A3 and A4 (some companies offer A5 sizes but not many). typical sizing includes A1 5ft 2″, A2 5ft 7″, A3 5ft 10″ and A4 6ft 1″ to 6ft 3″. Sizing is very important when choosing a BJJ GI so Always take in to account shrinkage when buying one.
Colour: the three main colours are white, black and blue. These are the only three colours accepted by the international Brazilian jiu jitsu federation in there competitions including “The Mundials” and “The Euros”. There are many other colours including red, yellow, navy blue and even camouflage.
Trousers: when choosing a bjj gi the right trousers can make all the difference. Like the GI jacket the cut of the trousers is also very important. Some people prefer them baggy so that they have more room to move around in but it also offers a lot of material for your opponent to grab and control your legs. Trousers will tighter ankle cuffs are the preferred choice of most people when selecting their trousers. Material is also important. You can get heavy drill cotton trousers and these are very strong but also heavy especially when wet and sweaty. A lot of companies have started making their trousers from Rip Stop Cotton. Rip Stop is very strong and also very light weight. Ideal for hot summer days or for when you’re competing when you’re close to your weight limit. One down side to Rip Stop Trousers is that they can feel a bit “waxy” on your legs. Some people can find this feeling annoying. The last thing to consider with the trousers is the draw string. Most come with flat twill draw strings but they can snap quite easily and they also come undone quite easily. The best draw strings are made from rope cotton. They are a lot stronger and they also stay tied for a lot longer.
Lapel: some BJJ GI has a cotton lapel with more cotton stuffed through the middle. This is the traditional way of making lapels for BJJ GI’s. A couple of downsides to cotton lapels is that they can take quite a while to dry after washing and they are also easier to grip hold of during sparring and use for control or for chokes. The best lapels are made from cotton but have a piece of rubber running through the middle. These are good for 2 reasons. They dry a lot quicker and they area lot harder to grip or manipulate for chokes when sparring.
In my opinion the best BJJ GI will be a Pearl weave GI jacket, Rubber lapel, 8 oz light weight drill cotton trousers with rope draw strings. A BJJ GI to this spec will be strong, comfortable, light in weight and will have minimal shrinkage. Hope you have found this help full enjoy your new BJJ GI and happy “rolling”.
Your Guide to BJJ GI Weaves
When it comes to selecting your next BJJ GI you need to understand the different types of weaves used and what their pros and cons are. When choosing your next BJJ GI you first need to decide what you want from the GI. Do you want a GI that will be durable and last a long time? Do you want it to compete in? Is comfort a deciding factor? Once you know what you want from your next BJJ GI choosing the right weave will be made a whole lot easier.
Single Weave
Single weave GI’s are often the choice of many people starting out in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They are normally cheap in price, readily available and light in weight. The shrinkage with single weaves is normally pretty good due to the closeness of the weave. So expect shrinkage to be around 5%. A couple of downsides are that they are thin and not as durable as some of the other weaves available and they are easy to manipulate for grips and chokes when live sparring. All in all single weave GI’s are a good purchase for someone starting out or someone who wants a second bjj gi for hot summer months or for competing in.
Double Weave
Double weave BJJ GI’s used to be the top choice for fighters in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They offer strength and durability. Some fighters prefer them because the thickness can make it harder for their opponent to grab and gain dominant grips or manipulate for chokes and submissions. Due to the tightness of the weave shrinkage is nearly nonexistent. But double weaves are not as popular as they once were. Their extra weight can become uncomfortable during long training sessions, their very hot in warm climates or in summer months and due to their thickness they can restrict your movement. Not many GI manufacturers still produce double weaves but the ones that do charge a lot of money for them. in my opinion the cons well outweigh the pros.
Gold Weave
Gold weaves are a cross between single weaves and double weaves. They offer the strength and durability of the double weave with some of the lightness and comfort of a single weave. For a long time gold weave GI’s where literally the gold standard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GI’s. With the gold weave being so popular nearly every major BJJ GI company offers a gold weave model and normally at very competitive prices. One major downside is shrinkage. Because the weave is not as tight as a single or double weave there is a lot more room for the GI to shrink. The shrinkage is normally at least 5-10% with some shrinking more than that. It’s sometimes advisable to get a size bigger than you would normally get.
Pearl Weave
If gold weaves are the gold standard the pearl weave are the diamond standard. They literally offer the strength and durability of a double weave, the comfort of a gold weave and the lightness of a single weave. The material is thin but the weave is so tight that it maintains the strength. Pearl weaves are the choice of most people for fighting in competitions. Because the material is so thin, it makes them a lot lighter than other types of GI’s. This can be an advantage when you are cutting weight or close to your weight limit in a competition. One other plus side to the weave being so tight is that shrinkage is very minimal normally between 0-5%. Some companies offer pre shrunk GI’s that they claim will not shrink one bit. Many manufacturers offer their own special type of weave especially with their ultra light bjj gi. Their “special” weaves are normally their own type of pearl weave but they are still a pearl weave. In my opinion pearl weave Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi’s are the best by far and if you can afford one it should be your Gi of choice due to it having all the best attributes of the other Gi’s and none of the downsides.
The Top 5 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GI Brands
What are the best brands of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Kimono available in the market today? There are literally hundreds of popular brands of BJJ GI’s available across the US and the rest of the world. However, when it comes to the best here is my top 5 GI brands.
Keiko: Keiko Raca Kimono’s is one of the world’s premier and most respected BJJ GI manufacturers. With their roots in Brazil they’ve been producing BJJ GI since 1989. Originally they started out by making GI’s for other brands including Mizuno, Sims, South to south, Tropical brazil and Curtlo amongst other popular brands. But in 1995 they decided to make the “Keiko Raca” Brand of BJJ GI. Keiko is always looking to develop new textile technologies aiming to get the best performance, comfort and style from their BJJ Kimono’s. Keiko Raca also sponsors some of the world’s best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes including Rubens Charles (Cobrinha), Braulio Estima, Serginho Moraes, Tarsis Humphreys, Eduardo Telles and many more.
Koral: Koral Fight company was founded in 1997 and quickly established its self as one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GI manufacturers. Koral Fight co focused on the cut of their bjj gi with adjusted sleeves, trousers and skirt giving their GI’s a tailored fit. They also developed a fast drying anti-microbial neck lapel material. This is what makes them unique and was well received by their customers. Koral Fight Company has become a worldwide name, exporting to over 25 countries sponsoring the best athletes and fight events. Some of their top sponsored athletes include Rogel Alexander Monsalve, Alexandre de Souza, Andrei Andrezzo and Luciano Nunes Nucci to name a few.
Vulkan: The Vulkan Fight Company was established in 2003 with the sole purpose to create A BJJ GI that would revolutionize the market. They did this by focusing on the weave that they used on their GIs. They have produced many BJJ GI’s but one of their best was the Vulkan Ultra Light where they used a variation of a Pearl weave that they call the “Honeycomb” Weave. The result was one of the world’s best GI’s. It’s light in weight, strong and comfortable. Vulkan also cares about the planet it serves by using production methods designed and engineered to protect the environment. Top Vulkan sponsored athletes include Thiago Morbin Domingues, Andre Vaughan, Joe Moreira, Walter Vital and Ulpiano Malachias.
Shoyoroll: Shoyoroll was a company started in 1999 by friends on the islands of Guam and later relocated to Los Angeles. The name Shoyoroll actually means “Show your roll”. They started out by making T Shirts and stickers from their home out of their garage. Today the biggest part of their business is producing bjj gi. Shoyoroll operate a little bit differently to other GI Brands. They make their GI’s in batches, limit the numbers produced and you can only buy their GI’s by pre ordering them. This has gained them a cult following because their GI’s have become very exclusive and some of them collector’s items. If you want to stand out then a Shoyoroll is definitely for you. Some of their top sponsored athletes include Ben Askren, Caio Terra, Cole Miller, Clark Gracie and Ryan Hall.
Lucky GI: Was founded in 2001 and quickly established its self as one of the most stylish BJJ GI brands. Lucky GI was one of the first brands to not only focus on the performance side of the GI but also on the styling. This quickly propelled them in to the upper echelons of the world’s best GI brands. Recently they have started using a new material to produce their GI’s. This fabric is new for being used in the production of BJJ GI’s, but in China it is an old fabric they know all about. The new Lucky GI’s are made from Bamboo. Bamboo is much more environmentally friendly than cotton and even hemp. Some of their top athletes include Marcelo Garcia, Rafael Lovato JR and Jeff Glover.
The Top 5 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GI
With the huge growth in Brazilian jiu jitsu in recent years and a massive influx of BJJ Gi companies there is now an abundance of Gi’s to choose from. From the more established companies like Atama and Koral to some of the newer companies like Break Point and Gameness. Picking the best BJJ Gi from whats available can be a daunting task. Below I outline my top 5 BJJ GI’s available today.
Koral MKM Competition
1. The Koral MKM Competition BJJ Gi is a high performance Gi. Made from 100% Cotton the MKM is 100% pre-shrunk. Koral put the MKM through an industrial process that results in a totally shrunk BJJ Gi . The Jacket is made with one piece of fabric with no seam in the back, providing strength, comfort and durability. The Lapel has rubber inside to help keep it soft and make the Gi dry faster. And it also helps to prevent bacteria and fungus from developing. The Gi has been tailored in to a Competition cut that allows for unrestricted movement and also keeps the Gi close to the body and this makes the Gi harder to grab. The MKM Competition Gi’s are approved for all CBJJF and IBJJF tournaments. This is definitely one of the premier BJJ Gi’
Keiko limited
2. The Keiko limited bjj gi is made in Brazil and is meticulously crafted. This Gi has 4 patches, one on the shoulders, one on the lapel and one on the lower leg; it also has embroidery on both arms and the nape of the neck in the style of the Keiko logo and the Brazilian flag. It also has contrasting trim detailing that makes it a truly one of a kind Gi to own. But this Gi isn’t just about the looks; it’s also made to endure years of the most intense training and competition. Its cut is a bit slimmer than other Gis, making it ideal for tournaments and light enough to keep you going on those particularly hot days. Reinforced in the knees and underarms and featuring rope-tie pants, nothing is getting in the way of your performance with this Gi on your side!
Break Point Light Weight Deluxe Gi
3. The Break Point Light Weight Deluxe Gi is like a breath of fresh air in the BJJ GI manufacturer’s world. Break Point have steered clear of the usual 5 patch layout that 90% of Gi producers use and made a totally original and stylish bjj gi. With stylish embroidery emblazoned all over it you will definitely stand out wearing this Gi. Each Gi comes with 2 pairs of trousers; a heavy duty training pair and a light weight pair. This Gi is ideal for training and competition fighting.
Vulkan ultra light
4. The Vulkan ultra light is one of the worlds lightest BJJ Gi’s and it’s even lighter than the Pro Light! Made from Vulkans exclusive Honey Comb weave fabric its super strong, light in weight and very comfortable. The lapel is made with a length or rubber running through it from the bottom to the top. It’s this that helps the Gi dry faster and also reduces the growth of bacteria. This Gi is 100% pre shrunk so there are no worries about the Gi shrinking. The cut of the ultra light makes it ideal for Competitions and hot summer days.
The Atama Mundial 9
5. The Atama Mundial 9 is the flagship Gi from Atama and one of the oldest Gi brands around. Worn by many of the greats of BJJ like Royce Gracie he even used to wear his Atama Gi in his fights in the UFC. The Mundial 9 is based on the very popular Mundial 7 but with a few additions. The collar and pants are made from “rip stop” material to protect against tearing. A top of the line gi perfect that is perfect for training and for competitions. It has a tapered body and sleeves to leave less for your opponent to grab and its roomy in the shoulders for mobility.
Tips on How to buy a custom BJJ GI
A good BJJ GI is an important addition to every fighter’s kit. Even if you already have other BJJ GIs there’s nothing better than owning a GI that is custom fit to your measurements and the specifications for your fighting style. Take a look at these tips on buying a custom GI to be sure you make the right choice.
First, before you buy your custom bjj gi, you should be sure that you know what your measurements are. The measurements you will need are: your height in centimetres, your shoulders, your arm length, your chest, and your waist. However, don’t try to take them yourself. It is really hard to get accurate measurements on your own. If you can’t find someone to take measurements before you get to the store, ask a salesperson to help you.
Once you know your measurements, you will need to decide what type of BJJ GI you want to own. This kimono is designed so that the jacket has no unnecessary seams or joints in the areas that get the most pressure when fighting. You can find these GIs with either cotton drill or rip stop trousers. The two main cuts of GI are the competition cut and the loose cut. The competition cut has a more tailored fit and is shorter on the trousers and back skirt and the loose cut as the name suggests has a looser cut and feel to it. Some people prefer the competition cut because the GI is closer to your body and gives your opponent less material to grab hold of and makes it harder for him to control you where as some people prefer the loose cut because they feel it gives them more room to move around in when transitioning between different moves and attacks.
Next, you should consider GI fabrics. You can find GI jackets made from single, double, gold and pearl weaves and some even made fully from rip stop. However, single weaves are the most common, and for good reason. The single weave kimono is light in weight and is ideal for hot summer days and competition fighting. Also single weave GI hardly suffer from any shrinkage after washing making this an ideal choice for a custom bjj gi when you want a tailored fit. Double and Gold weave GI jackets can be made but most people have moved away from these materials because they are heavy, uncomfortable and suffer from shrinkage. Some people stills wear by them so if it’s a style you prefer then you can still get these made. The weave that most people are now using is pearl weave. A pearl weave GI jacket is light in weight, strong, durable, comfortable and suffers the least amount of shrinkage. This GI material is ideal for heavy training or competition fighting making this the best all round material form a BJJ GI.
Other things you need to consider include material and lining of lapel, waist drawstring, weight and material of trousers and also any branding and embroidery. Most lapels are made from cotton but a lot of companies have started using rip stop as this deemed to be stronger and more durable. Lapels can be lined with cotton or rubber. Cotton lined is cheaper but rubber is the much better choice. The rubber lined lapel keeps its shape longer and also helps when drying the GI. Waist drawstrings can be made with flat cotton twill or round rope. The flat cotton twill is the most come used but comes undone often and also can become brittle and break easily. Rope drawstrings are the preferred choice because they are stronger and come undone less frequently. Trousers either come in 8-12 oz cotton drill or rip stop. A lot of new GIs have started using rip stop because these are meant to be stronger than the standard trousers but a lot of people have reported that they rip easier. Most people prefer the older style cott
on drill trousers. If it’s not broke then don’t try to fix it! When it comes to branding you have the choice of patches or embroidery. Patches offer more options when it comes to having pictures or graphics on a GI but they can sometimes become worn and come off after hard training. Embroidery has fewer options when it comes to branding but embroidered images will last forever and a day on a BJJ GI.
Take all these points in to consideration when buying your custom BJJ GI and you can’t go wrong.
Can I Order a BJJ GI online and is it a good idea
“Can I order a BJJ GI online and is it a good idea? This is a question that a lot of people starting out in BJJ ask. The main reason they ask this is because of the sizing for a bjj gi. Because there is only 4 sizes to choose from and with most people fitting between 2 different sizes, what size should they choose and will it still fit after the GI has shrunk a bit after being washed.
Before ordering a BJJ GI online, you should check with your instructor and verify what the rules are at your club regarding wearing non club branded GI’s. Some clubs are quite strict and will only allow students to wear a club kimono but most are open to their students having a club GI and a non club Gi .
Your instructor may say that any kind of BJJ kimono will be fine. If that is the case, Keiko Raca or Koral GIs are some of the most popular. They are some of the oldest and best brands in BJJ and have tons of features and innovations that most of kimonos don’t have. Other Gi brands worth mentioning include Vulkan, Atama, Shoyoroll and Gameness. These companies produce very well made GIs in a variety of colours and styles so there really is something for everyone.
Some Jiu Jitsu clubs will let you wear a non club GI but you will only be able to wear a white one with all others banned including black, navy and camouflage. Other clubs will let you wear any colour GI but you will be required to buy a club team patch and have this sewn on to your non club kimono. The position for this patch is usually on the back of the GI jacket.
When buying a GI online sizing is very important. Most people fall between two different sizes. Generally you should choose a size slightly bigger to allow for the shrinkage that you will get after the kimono has been washed a couple of times. Some GIs are pre shrunk so choosing a size that is a close fit would be the best option here. If in doubt then always ring the company that you’re thinking of buying the GI from. They will be able to give you the best regarding sizing and shrinkage.
A good online fight company will be upfront and honest with all their pricing and shipping information. Most online fight companies now offer free next day delivery so make sure you look around before making your purchase. Make sure you can find a physical address for the company and information on their customer service. If you are leery about using an online company, try calling their customer service number and see how you like their friendliness. It may also be useful to find out about their return policies. Good fight wear companies have good return policies to keep their customers happy and coming back over and over again.
If you plan on training in Jiu Jitsu on a regular basis then the right GI is very important to keeping you comfortable during your training. A good bjj gi will be functional, comfortable, and durable; the perfect GI for anyone who plans to train on a regular basis and possibly competes. The majority of people who train in Jiu Jitsu buy their GIs online. Buying fight wear online is a great way to save time, and sometimes even save money. Check with your instructor’s uniform code, then go out and purchase a GI that fulfils all your fighting needs.
The 7 Best BJJ Guard Positions Explained
The Guard position is one of the most attacking positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. There are loads of different guard systems and variations of each one but the main ones include the Closed, Open, Spider, Half, Butterfly and de la Riva guard just to name a few. Below we break down the top 7 Guards.
Closed guard
The closed guard is probably the most used guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. it’s also the style of position that’s most often taught to beginners but it is also used at the highest levels in BJJ competitions in the bjj gi and No-Gi. It involves locking your legs around your opponent leaving your hands free to control them and to setup submissions or for setting up sweeps to improve your position. The closed guard can also be used for getting your breath back if you’re tired. You can make this easier for yourself by breaking your opponents posture. You can do this by controlling your opponents head with one of your arms and controlling one of his arms with your other arm.
Rubber Guard
The Rubber Guard was named and made popular by Eddie Bravo but it was also used by Nino Schembri although Eddie bravo is normally credited with its conception. It is a method of keeping your opponent’s posture broken by locking your legs and feet into a very high position around his neck. There are loads of various submissions that can be setup from the rubber guard position including the Gogoplata and the Omapolata. The rubber guard can be a very effective guard but you need to be very flexible to use it.
Half Guard
The half guard is when you’re on the bottom of your opponent and you have only one of his legs trapped between your own legs. The half guard used to be an unfavoured position due to being on the bottom of your opponent but it has evolved considerably in the last 10 years or so with numerous sweeps, escapes and back takes from this position. There are also other variations of the half guard including deep half guard and the Z guard.
X Guard
The X Guard is a very popular attacking position that was made popular by Marcelo Garcia. The position for the X-Guard involves being underneath your opponent between both of his legs with his leg on your shoulder and using your legs to stretch his legs apart. This position gives you the opportunity to destabilize; sweep and leg lock the person you’re fighting. There are also several other leg position variations for this position.
De la Riva Guard
The De la Riva Guard is named after Ricardo De La Riva a famous fighter and instructor from Brazil. This guard is best suited to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the Gi. You wrap one of your legs around the outside of your opponent’s front leg and your other foot can be placed on his other knee or hip. From this position you then control one or both of his sleeves. There is loads of sweeps from this position and also some nice transitions.
Spider guard
The Spider Guard is a position mostly used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when wearing a bjj gi. In this guard you grip both off your opponent’s sleeves and place one of your feet on one of his biceps and your other foot on his other bicep,his hip or wrapping your leg round his arm. The spider guard is a very attacking guard that enables you to off balance, sweep or submit the person your fighting.
Butterfly guard
The butterfly guard is a very versatile position. It allows you to set up sweeps and also to move between other guards including Half Guard and the X-Guard. With the butterfly guard you want to be in an upright position with both feet inside your partners knees. From this position you can use your legs to control and to sweep him.
Ultimately the type of guard that you choose to utilize will depend on many things, including your physique, flexibility and your instructor.
Elbow crush arm lock from scarf hold
A bjj elbow crush arm lock from the scarf hold position demonstrated by Lee Catling and Jez Lord from gracie barra essex
Bjj Armlock from scarf hold position
A Bjj armlock from the scarf hold position demonstrated by Lee Catling and Jez Lord from gracie barra essex