thoughts from a jiu-jitsu company

Sep

29

The Function of Friction and Why I Wear a Gi

Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique

Friction slows things down, and since I move more like a tortoise than a hare, I like things slow.

No-gi is sweat and speed and being slippery and breathing heavy and squeezing peoples’ heads. Friction is lost through sweat.

Gi is friction, it’s a mop, it’s a jacket of handles, it’s slow and methodical. It’s where I reside, on my back—a tortoise with a grip–that beats the hare by slowing him down, by restraining him with a strait jacket, then seductively, slowly, slyly, choking him with his own collar.

Gi is friction, and I wear one to slow down the world.

Comments

5 Responses to “The Function of Friction and Why I Wear a Gi”

  1. Jason Miller on September 29th, 2009 5:51 pm

    I’ve noticed Jeff as made comments about this as did Rich last night. I think most people aren’t in shorts and a short sleeve shirt when they get in a fight. With winter coming on most of them will be in coats which are a great gi substitutes.

  2. john cox on September 29th, 2009 7:20 pm

    no gi is NOT head squeezing. Both gi and no gi are useful we should not get into that debate. I like both but they are very different

  3. Administrator on September 29th, 2009 8:40 pm

    no-gi is head squeezing. Embrace your nature. How’s your cauliflower ear? Love you–Mark :)

  4. thekillerj on September 29th, 2009 11:56 pm

    I love the head squeezing sport, but the gi is starting to make sense to me.

  5. Mark on September 30th, 2009 3:43 am

    “Head Squeezing” is not a slam against no-gi; it’s a truth. The head is a handle, you use it to control your opponent. Once you get a hold of a guy’s head sometimes you don’t want to let go. It’s just like getting hold of the gi.

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