In a candid discussion on the Partizan Grappling Podcast, Australian Jiu-Jitsu legend Kit Dale revealed his strong preference for no-gi jiu-jitsu over its traditional gi counterpart, highlighting significant differences in both training experience and effectiveness.
“I don’t find that much joy in the GI anymore,”
Dale explained.
“I mean, the GI is painful. It’s heavy, it’s hot, it’s something that’s difficult to travel with. I would be very, very happy to see the GI disappear, to be honest with you.”
Dale, who has made his mark in the jiu-jitsu world with his unconventional training methodologies and marketing approach, pointed to specific technical reasons for his preference.
“I feel like it’s a lot easier to slow things down and stall and rely on grip strength and stuff like that, where I feel like no GI, it’s a lot harder to do that. You need to be a lot more efficient with your control and your gripping.”
According to Dale, the gi often facilitates a more static, grip-dependent style of jiu-jitsu that he finds less engaging.
“It’s that people sort of grab grips and just sort of sit their hips low, pull guard and play around,”
he said, contrasting this with the more dynamic nature of no-gi training.
The wrestling aspect of no-gi also appeals to Dale, who has spent significant time training with wrestlers during his time in Los Angeles.
“Especially with the wrestling aspect of it, where, you know, you can do the same thing in the GI, but it’s a lot more stally,”
he observed.
Dale acknowledged that his preference might partly stem from his current training habits, suggesting that familiarity plays a role in what style practitioners enjoy.
“It’s also, you know, a part of it is like, what I’m used to doing,”
he admitted.
“I know that when I go back to GI now, I feel like I’ll suck. If I went against a really good GI player, I feel like I’m getting destroyed.”
This perspective from Dale aligns with a growing trend in jiu-jitsu, particularly among competitors who value the faster pace and different technical challenges presented by no-gi training. While he remains respectful of gi jiu-jitsu’s place in the sport, his personal preference is clear.
“I personally think no GI is more enjoyable,”
Dale concluded, reflecting a sentiment that continues to gain traction as no-gi competitions and training methodologies evolve within the broader jiu-jitsu community.
