What happens to brazilian jiu jitsu strategy when the gi comes off and the scoreboard disappears?
I ask that question a lot, both to myself and to the students who step onto the mats here in Melbourne. Over the years I’ve trained and coached, I’ve seen our sport shift dramatically. No gi competition and submission-only events have forced grapplers to rethink the way they approach a match. These rule sets reward creativity, risk-taking, and patience in ways the traditional gi and points-based tournaments never did. And as a coach, I’ve had to adapt the way I train my athletes so they’re ready for the demands of both worlds.
No gi changes the pace and the weapons
When you take away the grips of the gi, the match doesn’t just feel lighter it feels faster. You can’t slow things down by hanging onto a sleeve or a collar. Suddenly, every exchange turns into a race of balance, timing, and quick reactions. I often see students who were comfortable playing a heavy guard in gi struggle when they first make the switch. They quickly realise that wrestling skills are no longer optional. A strong clinch, quick sprawl, or a well-timed takedown often decides who takes control first. That’s why our wrestling classes in melbourne are packed with jiu jitsu students looking to sharpen those skills.
Then there’s the matter of leg locks. In the gi, pants and lapels create enough friction to slow down many attacks. Without them, lower-body submissions open up everywhere. Heel hooks, kneebars, and tricky leg entanglements become the go-to options in no gi. I’ve had to remind plenty of students that ignoring leg locks doesn’t make them go away. If anything, avoiding them only guarantees you’ll get caught. That’s why we cover leg lock entries and defences consistently in our brazilian jiu jitsu classes.
Submission only makes the finish everything
Submission-only rules feel refreshing because they cut straight to the heart of jiu jitsu. It’s not about racking up an advantage, sitting on a pass, or stalling in mount. It’s about one thing: can you finish your opponent? That shift changes everything about the way a match is fought.
From my perspective, two common strategies emerge. Some grapplers explode into action right away, pouring everything into early submission attempts. They know the longer the match goes, the harder it might be to break through. Others prefer to stay patient, defend carefully, and wait for the perfect opportunity. I’ve used both approaches myself, depending on the opponent. What matters most is that you’re never coasting. If you’re not hunting, you’re falling behind even if no points are on the board.
One of the best explanations I’ve seen of this came from a competitor describing how he chose to give up top control just to chase an armbar. In a points match, that might have cost him the win. In submission-only, it was the right call and it worked. You can read a similar perspective in this breakdown of sub-only vs sport jiu jitsu, which mirrors what I’ve seen firsthand on the mats.
Training has to reflect the new demands
As a coach, I’ve shifted how I structure classes to make sure students are ready for both gi and no gi. There are three things I emphasise most in preparation for submission-only and no gi competition:
- Leg lock literacy – being confident in attacking and escaping leg entanglements is no longer optional. If you don’t train them, you’ll be caught off guard.
- Scramble awareness – no gi is full of fast transitions. You can’t rely on holding someone down with grips, so you must learn how to escape and counter when the pace ramps up.
- Mental and physical endurance – matches are often longer, and overtime rounds test your patience. I push students hard in training so they don’t fold when fatigue sets in.
I’ve written before about the benefits of brazilian jiu jitsu, and this is another example. The sport constantly challenges you to adapt and improve. That’s what keeps it fresh and why so many of us stick with it for life.
What this means for you on the mats
If you’re a beginner, don’t let all this talk of leg locks and overtime rounds intimidate you. Start by learning the basics escapes, control positions, and the main submissions. Build confidence and get a feel for both gi and no gi. Our blog on tips for bjj in melbourne beginners is a good starting point.
As you grow, you’ll naturally find your own game. Some of my students thrive on constant attacks, while others prefer to wait and strike when the time is right. Neither approach is wrong. What matters is that you’re training with the finish in mind. Whether you compete or not, this mentality makes you sharper, calmer, and more effective on the mats.
Why Melbourne grapplers are in a unique position
Training in Melbourne means you’re surrounded by great facilities, strong competition, and a community that embraces both gi and no gi. At Extreme MMA, we run over 90 classes a week, covering everything from jiu jitsu and muay thai to wrestling and mixed martial arts. That variety helps you develop into a complete martial artist, not just a specialist. And it keeps training fresh you can roll no gi one day, then sharpen your striking the next.
If you’d like to see how submission-only rules are discussed worldwide, you might enjoy this piece on submission-only tournaments and this editorial on points versus submissions. They reflect many of the same lessons I’ve seen on our mats in Chadstone.
My final thoughts as a coach
Brazilian jiu jitsu is always moving forward. No gi and submission-only rules aren’t just trends they’ve reshaped how we train and how we fight. I see students become more confident, more creative, and more determined because of these formats. And that’s why I love teaching them here. If you’ve been curious about trying a class, the best step is to contact us and get on the mats yourself. Whether you want to compete or just train for fitness and fun, these rule changes will make your experience even more rewarding.
About the Author
Lachlan James
Marketing Coordinator at Extreme MMA
Lachlan James is the Marketing Coordinator at Extreme MMA, responsible for creating engaging content and building the brand’s online presence. With a passion for mixed martial arts and digital marketing, Lachlan combines his knowledge of the sport with strategic marketing expertise to help grow the Extreme MMA community. He works closely with coaches and fighters to share their stories and expertise with both current members and aspiring martial artists.
When he’s not creating content or managing social media campaigns, Lachlan can be found training at the gym, always looking to improve his own skills while gaining deeper insights into what makes Extreme MMA special.
When he's not creating content or managing social media campaigns, Lachlan can be found training at the gym, always looking to improve his own skills while gaining deeper insights into what makes Extreme MMA special.