No Gi Jiu Jitsu in Wimbledon
No Gi Jiu Jitsu, also called submission grappling, is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without the uniform. Training takes place in rash guards and shorts, which removes the collar and sleeve grips that define the Gi game. The result is a faster, more scramble-based style that relies on wrist control, underhooks, and body positioning rather than fabric.
It is the style used in MMA and increasingly in professional grappling competitions. At True Virtues, we run dedicated No Gi sessions every Thursday at the Wimbledon YMCA.
How No Gi Differs from Gi Training
Removing the uniform changes the game significantly. Without sleeve and collar grips, the pace increases and transitions happen faster. You rely more on wrist control and neck ties rather than lapel grips, wrestling-based takedowns like double legs and singles, and the ability to move and react quickly in fluid positions.
Gi and No Gi training complement each other well. Many of the highest-level grapplers train both. If you want more information about our Gi classes please go to our Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Page.
Class Structure
Sessions run every Thursday from 18:45 to 20:15. Each class starts with a sport-specific warm-up, moves into technical instruction on takedowns, transitions, or submissions, and finishes with live positional sparring. Beginners are paired with experienced partners and given time to find their feet at their own pace.
Who is No Gi Training For
No Gi suits a wide range of people. If you are a complete beginner, the absence of the Gi can make the learning curve more intuitive early on because there is less to think about with grips. If you have a wrestling or combat sports background, you will find a lot of familiar territory alongside the submission game. If you primarily train in the Gi, adding No Gi sessions will sharpen your scrambling and reaction speed considerably.
Instruction
Classes are led by Mike Buckman-Cowling, a 1st Degree Black Belt with extensive competition experience in both Gi and No Gi. The True Virtues team has competed at national level in submission grappling events.
Book a Trial
Come and try a Thursday session for £10. Wear tight-fitting sports gear without pockets or zips. A rash guard and shorts are ideal, but a fitted sports top works fine for a first class.