No-Gi BJJ Program Integration: Complete Guide for UK Gyms

No-gi BJJ—grappling without the traditional kimono, using rashguards and shorts instead—represents a significant growth area in UK martial arts. Understanding what distinguishes no-gi from traditional gi training helps you decide whether to integrate it into your schedule.

No-gi training emphasises different connections since you can't grip collars, sleeves, or trousers. Instead, you control opponents through overhooks, underhooks, wrist control, and head positioning. The pace is notably faster because the slippery nature of rashguards prevents the extended grip fighting common in gi training. Positions transition more rapidly, and students often find no-gi more physically demanding due to the constant movement.

Adding no-gi classes benefits your gym by attracting a different demographic including MMA fans who want submission grappling skills, wrestlers transitioning to ground fighting, and submission-only enthusiasts drawn to ADCC-style competition. You increase class offerings, providing more value for existing members and justifying membership fees. No-gi opens competition opportunities through events like Grappling Industries and ADCC UK trials. Many students appreciate the practical self-defence aspect since no-gi more closely resembles street clothes scenarios. The lower barrier to entry helps new students—they can start training immediately in athletic wear rather than purchasing a £70-120 gi.

However, no-gi presents challenges. The different technique set requires instructor knowledge of leg locks, wrestling takedowns, and guards that don't exist in gi. Schedule management becomes more complex as you add classes without overcrowding your timetable. Equipment considerations include faster mat wear from rashguard friction and students needing to purchase appropriate no-gi attire.

The UK no-gi landscape is growing rapidly, influenced by MMA's popularity and high-profile submission-only events. Cities and university towns show particularly high demand, while regional areas have lower but growing interest. No-gi appeals especially to younger demographics who find it less traditional and more dynamic than gi training.

The absence of the gi fundamentally changes technique and strategy. Grips and connections differ dramatically—gi training relies on lapel, sleeve, and trouser grips that create sticky, secure control points. No-gi requires overhooks and underhooks for upper body control, wrist and ankle control for limb manipulation, head control through front headlocks and collar ties, and body locks for maintaining connection during scrambles. The slippery nature of rashguards means connections are harder to establish and easier to escape, fundamentally changing the pace of grappling.

Guard systems evolve without gi grips. Traditional gi guards like spider guard, lasso guard, worm guard, and lapel-based guards simply don't exist in no-gi. Instead, no-gi emphasises butterfly guard with underhooks, X-guard and single-leg X for leg entanglement control, ashi garami positions leading to leg locks, and wrestler-style half guard. Leg entanglements become far more prominent in no-gi, with systems like the saddle and 50/50 positions forming core no-gi strategies.

Passing approaches change substantially. Gi passing allows slower, more methodical pressure passing with strong grips pinning the opponent in place. No-gi passing emphasises speed and timing with quick directional changes, pressure-based smash passing without relying on cloth grips, passing legs quickly before the opponent can establish entanglements, and wrestling-style techniques like the sprawl and crossface. The faster pace rewards explosive athletes who can change direction rapidly.

Submission options shift in no-gi. Both formats share core submissions like arm bars, triangles, and shoulder locks, but no-gi strongly emphasises leg locks including heel hooks and knee bars (depending on gym policy), guillotines and front chokes that don't require collar grips, darce and anaconda chokes from front headlock positions, and rear-naked chokes without gi collar assistance. Conversely, the entire category of collar chokes and lapel-based attacks disappears in no-gi.

The overall pace differs markedly. Gi allows slower, more positional chess matches with extended grip fighting and methodical advancement. No-gi demands faster, more dynamic exchanges with less stalling and more scrambles. This makes no-gi highly cardio-intensive—students often find they can spar longer in gi than no-gi simply due to the relentless pace.

You have several options for adding no-gi to your timetable, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Dedicated no-gi classes (recommended) involve scheduling 1-3 separate sessions per week where students wear rashguards and shorts and follow no-gi-specific curriculum. This approach provides clear focus on no-gi techniques, attracts students who want pure no-gi training (especially MMA practitioners), and allows proper depth in no-gi systems. The disadvantage is requiring schedule space that may be limited in busy gyms.

Alternating weeks involve switching your entire schedule—week one is gi only, week two is no-gi only. This ensures everyone experiences both formats and simplifies planning. However, dedicated no-gi students must wait a full week between sessions, and the alternating format prevents consistent skill development in either format. Few UK gyms use this approach successfully.

The Friday no-gi format is extremely common in UK gyms: Monday through Thursday feature gi classes, Friday offers no-gi night, and weekend classes return to gi or open mat. This approach maintains traditional training while incorporating no-gi exposure, and Friday evening attracts workers looking to end their week with intense training. The limitation is only one no-gi session weekly, which isn't sufficient for students serious about no-gi competition or MMA preparation.

Mixed format involves teaching techniques in gi for the first 30 minutes, then allowing no-gi sparring in the final 30 minutes (or vice versa). This efficiently uses time and exposes all students to both formats. However, the constant switching creates confusion, neither format receives adequate depth, and students may resent being forced into whichever format they prefer less.

Our recommendations for UK gyms vary by size. Small gyms (under 30 active students) should start with Friday no-gi once weekly to gauge interest without overextending schedule or instructor resources. Medium gyms (30-80 students) can support 2 dedicated no-gi sessions weekly, perhaps Tuesday and Friday evenings or weekend mornings. Large gyms (80+ students) should offer 3+ no-gi sessions weekly and potentially a no-gi-only membership track for MMA fighters and dedicated grapplers.

Integration with your overall class structure requires ensuring no-gi doesn't cannibalise gi attendance by scheduling at different times than your most popular gi classes, maintaining clear communication about which classes are gi versus no-gi, and potentially offering beginner-specific no-gi sessions since the learning curve differs from gi fundamentals.

A standard 60-minute no-gi class follows a different rhythm than gi classes. The warm-up (10 minutes) should feature wrestling-style movements including shot drills and sprawls, dynamic stretching with movement preparation, explosive exercises like burpees and plyometrics, and conditioning work since no-gi demands high cardio capacity. Traditional BJJ warm-ups like shrimping and bridging still apply, but no-gi benefits from more explosive, dynamic preparation.

The technique portion (20 minutes) focuses on no-gi-specific systems. Wrestling takedowns including single leg, double leg, and snap-downs form essential no-gi skills since pulling guard is less effective without gi grips. Teach no-gi guard systems like butterfly guard with underhooks, X-guard entries and sweeps, and ashi garami positions (if teaching leg locks). Cover leg locks and leg defence appropriate to your gym's policy. Essential submissions include guillotines, darce and anaconda chokes, front headlock series, arm drags and scramble positions. Unlike gi classes where you might teach 3-4 related techniques, no-gi classes often focus on 2-3 techniques due to the higher sparring volume needed.

Sparring (25 minutes) consumes most of your no-gi class due to the format's dynamic nature. Expect faster pace than gi with more explosive movement and scrambles, shorter rounds of 4-5 minutes since the intensity is higher, leg lock rules clearly established based on gym policy (discussed below), and specific situational sparring like starting from standing, bottom position, or leg entanglements. Some instructors run 'shark tank' rounds where one person stays in and others rotate every 2 minutes, simulating competition conditioning.

The cool-down (5 minutes) allows students to bring their heart rate down gradually and provides time for questions and discussions about no-gi strategy. This brief period is valuable for addressing confusion about the different timing and grips required in no-gi.

Techniques to emphasise in your no-gi curriculum include all wrestling fundamentals since pure BJJ practitioners often lack takedown skills, complete no-gi guard systems that don't rely on cloth grips, leg attacks and defence (even if you don't allow heel hooks, students need straight ankle locks and basic defence), guillotine and front headlock systems which are high-percentage no-gi submissions, and scrambling and recovery positions since no-gi creates more chaotic transitional moments.

Leg locks represent the most contentious aspect of no-gi programming. Modern no-gi, heavily influenced by ADCC rules and competitors like Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon, emphasises leg entanglements and heel hooks. However, these submissions are dangerous when taught improperly, and UK gyms vary widely in their policies.

The conservative no-gi leg lock approach allows only straight ankle locks following IBJJF rules, prohibiting heel hooks, toe holds, and knee bars except for brown and black belts. This is safer for beginners and recreational students, easier to supervise and enforce, reduces insurance concerns, and works well for gyms focused on sport BJJ rather than MMA or submission-only competition. The disadvantage is that it limits advanced no-gi students who want to develop modern leg lock games and may not prepare students for no-gi competitions where opponents use leg attacks.

The progressive no-gi approach allows heel hooks, knee bars, and toe holds with restrictions—typically blue belt minimum (or case-by-case assessment), proper instruction on both application and defence, strong emphasis on tap early culture, and sometimes restricting heel hooks to advanced no-gi classes only. This approach attracts serious no-gi competitors and MMA fighters, develops complete no-gi games that reflect modern competition, and better prepares students for ADCC-style rulesets. However, it requires instructor expertise in teaching and supervising leg locks, demands mature students who control intensity, and potentially increases injury risk if students don't tap early or instructors can't supervise properly.

A hybrid approach is common in UK gyms: allow straight ankle locks at all levels in all no-gi classes, teach advanced leg locks only in competition training or advanced no-gi classes, require blue belt minimum and instructor approval for advanced leg lock training, and maintain strict tap early culture with immediate consequences (suspension from training) for anyone who refuses to release a submission. This balances safety with modern no-gi development.

UK insurance considerations are important but often unclear. We found no specific evidence that UK martial arts insurance providers explicitly restrict or exclude leg lock coverage. UKBJJA insurance covers 'UKBJJA related activity' up to £5,000,000 public liability, and BMABA offers comprehensive coverage for instructors teaching across 180+ disciplines including MMA. However, you should verify your specific policy and discuss leg lock coverage with your insurance provider. Document your safety protocols including graduated leg lock curriculum, belt level restrictions, tap early enforcement, and instructor supervision requirements. If an injury occurs, having documented safety measures strengthens your position.

Our recommendation for most UK gyms is to start conservatively with straight ankle locks only, then gradually introduce advanced leg locks as your instruction and student maturity improve. Better to expand carefully than deal with injuries that damage your gym's reputation and potentially void insurance coverage.

Student attire for no-gi requires clear guidelines. Rashguards (short or long sleeve) are mandatory—never allow shirtless training due to hygiene concerns and skin-to-skin contact. Shorts or spats (grappling-specific compression tights) must be worn, with no pockets, zippers, or buttons that could catch fingers or toes. No gi or belt is worn, obviously. Keep the mat area shoe-free for hygiene, though some students wear wrestling shoes (check your gym's policy).

Gym considerations for no-gi include potential faster mat wear since rashguards create different friction than gis, though this is often overstated. Rashguards are less durable than gis and students may need replacements annually with regular training. Sweat management becomes crucial—gis absorb significant moisture, but rashguards don't, leading to slippery mats. Some gyms mop between no-gi rounds or require students to bring towels. Hygiene is critical in no-gi with more skin-to-skin contact, so enforce strict cleaning protocols and require students to shower before training and wash gear after every session.

Your dress code should specify rashguards are required (no bare chest training), shorts must have no pockets, zippers, or buttons for safety, spats and leggings are acceptable alternatives to shorts, and consider team rashguards to build identity (optional but popular). Some gyms allow students to train in fitted t-shirts, but rashguards are preferable as they don't ride up and provide compression.

Retail opportunity exists for no-gi gear similar to gi sales. UK suppliers include Tatami Fightwear (tatamifightwear.com) offering extensive no-gi lines with rashguards from £30-50 and shorts from £25-40, Scramble Brand (scramblestuff.com) known for distinctive designs and high-quality construction, Progress Jiu Jitsu (progressjj.co.uk) providing competition-standard no-gi wear, and Manto offering affordable options popular with students. Other UK retailers like Fight Equipment UK, Made4Fighters, and Minotaur Fight Store stock multiple brands.

Markup on no-gi gear is similar to gi sales—typically 30-40% retail margin if buying wholesale. Offering team rashguards at cost or small markup builds community identity while generating modest revenue. Some gyms stock a range of sizes for immediate purchase, while others take orders and place bulk shipments quarterly to minimise inventory costs.

Pricing structure for no-gi varies across UK gyms. Including no-gi in standard membership (most common) means gi and no-gi access is included in one membership fee. This is simplest for students to understand, increases perceived membership value, encourages cross-training between formats, and doesn't complicate your pricing structure. The trade-off is you generate no additional revenue from no-gi classes despite the added instructor time and programming.

Separate no-gi membership allows students to choose no-gi only (£40-60/month), gi only (£50-70/month), or combined gi and no-gi (£70-100/month). This attracts no-gi-only students like MMA fighters who don't want gi training, generates additional revenue from students who want both formats, and reflects the additional value provided. However, it creates more complex pricing that may confuse potential members, requires separate membership management, and may reduce cross-training if students feel locked into one format.

An add-on fee structure charges base membership (£50-70/month) plus £10-20/month for no-gi access. This provides an additional revenue stream with moderate complexity, and students can easily upgrade their membership to add no-gi. The downsides include still requiring separate tracking and potentially creating a perception that you're nickel-and-diming members.

Our recommendation for UK gyms is to include no-gi in standard membership for simplicity and value perception, while offering a separate no-gi-only option at slightly reduced rate (perhaps £45-55/month) for students who only want grappling without gi. This captures MMA fighters and wrestlers who have no interest in traditional BJJ while keeping pricing straightforward. As you develop your pricing strategy, consider your market positioning and what your competitors offer.

No-gi attracts a distinct demographic that requires targeted marketing. Your target audience includes MMA fans who want submission grappling skills but may not be interested in traditional martial arts, wrestlers transitioning from amateur wrestling and looking for ground fighting, ex-judoka who enjoy the scrambling and explosive nature of no-gi, younger demographics who find no-gi less traditional and more dynamic than gi training, and people who don't want to purchase a gi but are interested in grappling.

Marketing messages should emphasise fast-paced, dynamic grappling that looks exciting in promotional videos, submission-only focus with no points in some formats, MMA-applicable techniques that translate to cage fighting, low entry barrier with no gi required (just rashguard and shorts), and modern BJJ and wrestling combined for a complete grappling system. Avoid making no-gi sound like 'gi without the gi'—it's a distinct format with its own technical depth and competitive scene.

Marketing channels for no-gi include social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok where no-gi looks particularly dynamic in short video clips, MMA gyms through cross-promotion arrangements where you teach grappling while they provide striking, university martial arts clubs which often have younger students interested in MMA and submission grappling, no-gi competition circuits where your students' success markets your programme, and online searches for 'MMA grappling near me' or 'submission wrestling [city]' which should lead to your no-gi programme.

Video content for no-gi marketing performs exceptionally well. Show fast-paced sparring with dynamic scrambles, leg lock entries and submissions (if part of your curriculum), takedowns and wrestling exchanges, and competitor footage from ADCC or Grappling Industries events. No-gi looks more exciting in 30-second clips than gi training, making it ideal for social media marketing. For comprehensive marketing strategies, review our complete marketing guide covering digital and traditional channels.

Not every gi instructor is qualified to teach no-gi effectively. Who can teach no-gi includes blue belt minimum with genuine no-gi training experience, purple belt or higher preferred for running dedicated no-gi programmes, wrestling background helpful for teaching takedowns and scrambles, and leg lock expertise if teaching advanced leg attacks (brown belt minimum for heel hooks).

Instructor training specific to no-gi should cover wrestling fundamentals including shot mechanics, sprawls, and front headlocks, no-gi-specific guards and passing systems that don't rely on cloth grips, leg lock instruction and safety including how to teach, apply, and supervise dangerous submissions, pace and intensity management since no-gi requires different energy management than gi, and competition ruleset knowledge for IBJJF no-gi, ADCC, and submission-only formats.

Consider bringing in guest instructors who are no-gi specialists from wrestling backgrounds, ADCC competitors or qualified leg lock instructors, and MMA fighters or coaches who can share the sport grappling perspective. Guest seminars build credibility for your no-gi programme and expose students to different styles and approaches. For broader instructor development, see our guide on instructor training and development.

The UK no-gi competition scene is growing rapidly. Grappling Industries hosts events throughout 2026 in major UK cities including London (January 31 at UEL Sportsdock) and other locations. These tournaments offer both gi and no-gi divisions with same-day weigh-ins, IBJJF-based rules with some modifications, entry fees around £50-70, and divisions for all ages and belt levels. Grappling Industries is ideal for first-time no-gi competitors due to good organisation and welcoming atmosphere.

ADCC UK National Championship represents the pinnacle of no-gi competition in the UK. The 2026 edition has registration deadline of April 18th, with adult entry fees around £90 and kids at £60. The format follows ADCC rules with submission-only for first half, then points in second half, heel hooks allowed for advanced belts, and qualification to ADCC regional and world championships. This is serious competition for experienced grapplers.

Regional no-gi tournaments include the Newport Open Gi & NoGi Championships (January 25, 2026) at Cwmbran Stadium, Newquay Open Gi & NoGi Championships (January 18, 2026), The Neon Open BJJ Gi & NoGi Championship (November 15, 2026) in Southampton, and UKBJJA-sanctioned events throughout the year. These provide local competition opportunities with lower travel requirements and entry fees typically £35-50.

Professional no-gi events like Polaris Pro Grappling showcase elite-level submission grappling. Polaris is Europe's longest-running professional jiu-jitsu event, featuring top international competitors, broadcast on UFC Fight Pass and FloGrappling, and using professional MMA-style production. While students won't compete at this level early in their careers, attending these events as spectators builds excitement and exposure to high-level no-gi. Polaris events scheduled for 2026 include Polaris 35: Squads on January 31 in Ebbw Vale, Wales.

Ruleset differences matter for competition preparation. IBJJF no-gi follows similar rules to gi with limited leg locks (heel hooks only for brown and black belts), points-based scoring, and advantages for near submissions. ADCC format uses submission-only for the first half of the match, then points after time, allows heel hooks, rewards aggression and submission attempts. Submission-only events have no points whatsoever, only submissions or time limit determines winner, and typically allow all leg locks depending on belt level. Prepare students under the specific ruleset they'll compete under, as strategies differ significantly. For broader competition preparation, see our competition team development guide.

Treating no-gi like gi without the gi is the most common error. The problem is techniques don't transfer directly because grips and connections fundamentally differ. Collar drags don't exist without collars, spider guard doesn't work without sleeve grips, and many gi passes rely on pant grips. The solution is developing a no-gi-specific curriculum that teaches appropriate guards, passes, and submissions for the format.

Offering no leg lock instruction leaves students unprepared for no-gi competitions where opponents will attack legs, unable to defend themselves in other gyms or open mats, and lacking a complete modern no-gi game. At minimum, teach straight ankle locks and basic leg lock defence even if you don't allow heel hooks. Advanced students should learn comprehensive leg lock systems if you want them to compete successfully in no-gi.

Only one no-gi class per week isn't sufficient frequency for skill development in the format. Students need consistent exposure to develop no-gi timing, reactions, and technical understanding. The Friday-only format exposes students to no-gi but doesn't develop deep skills. Solution: offer 2-3 no-gi sessions weekly if you're serious about the programme, or be honest that you're offering introductory no-gi rather than a comprehensive programme.

Having no clear attire policy leads to students showing up in inappropriate gear with zippers or pockets, wearing cotton t-shirts that ride up, or training shirtless causing hygiene concerns. Establish and communicate a written dress code specifying rashguards required, no pockets or zippers on shorts, and acceptable alternatives. Post this on your website and remind students regularly.

Ignoring hygiene in no-gi creates slippery mats from sweat, increased risk of skin infections due to more direct skin contact, and student complaints about training conditions. Enforce strict hygiene rules including mandatory showers before training, requirement to wash gear after every session, immediate mat cleaning if someone bleeds or vomits, and regular deep cleaning of mats. Consider mopping mats between classes or having students bring towels to wipe down during no-gi sessions.

Use this systematic checklist to launch your no-gi programme:

Planning Phase:

• Assess student interest through surveys or informal conversations about no-gi
• Decide on schedule integration (dedicated classes, Friday no-gi, or other format)
• Design no-gi-specific curriculum covering takedowns, no-gi guards, passing, and submissions
• Set leg lock policy based on instructor expertise, student maturity, and competition goals
• Determine pricing structure (included in membership, separate, or add-on)

Instructor Preparation:

• Train instructors on no-gi techniques through seminars, training at no-gi-focused gyms, or private instruction
• Leg lock instruction and safety training if allowing advanced leg attacks
• Develop detailed lesson plans for first 8-12 weeks of no-gi classes to ensure progressive skill development
• Verify insurance coverage and discuss leg lock policy with your provider

Launch Phase:

• Announce no-gi classes with clear messaging about benefits and schedule
• Communicate attire requirements explicitly (rashguard, appropriate shorts, no zippers)
• Start first no-gi class with fundamentals and clear explanation of how no-gi differs from gi
• Gather feedback after first month and adjust curriculum, intensity, or schedule as needed

Growth Phase:

• Add more no-gi sessions if demand grows beyond your initial offering
• Host no-gi open mats to build community and allow additional training time
• Consider forming a no-gi competition team if students show interest in tournaments
• Market to no-gi-only students (MMA fighters, wrestlers) who may not want gi training
• Develop retail partnerships or stock no-gi gear for student convenience

For context on how no-gi fits within your broader programme structure, review our programme design hub covering curriculum development, class scheduling, and student progression systems.