Training in the gi presents different opportunities. Gi chokes, grips, and friction allow you to do things in the gi that in no gi may not necessarily work. However, the same is also true of training no gi escapes become easier, some of the arm triangle and clothless chokes become easier, but the biggest difference is how mindful of your feet you have to be. When you do things like a scissor sweep in the gi, your grips do a decent job of keeping you out of danger. In no gi, those grips aren't there, so as soon as you sweep and even before, you've placed yourself in danger of a leglock. So when you play guard no gi a simple guideline is closed guard or feet inside, the leglock danger is much more present when you hang your feet in some type of middle distance.

As a shorter legged grappler, most people wouldn't expect I'd advocate for triangle chokes. However, it is probably my primary attack from guard. I don't necessarily always get the choke, but the triangle position is also great for control and attacking arm submissions. As long as you can lock your ankles together having triangle setups in your arsenal opens up many opportunities. In some ways the triangle is almost like a guard of it's own and can function as such outside of just the strangulation. The same is also true of the other positional triangle variations, not only can you choke, but it also presents multiple other attacking opportunities. If you think you're not a triangle person, maybe it's time to reevaluate how you use the move.

I really enjoyed IBJJF Worlds this year. It seems like we are turning the page on gi grappling being incredibly boring. Will it ever be as dynamic as no gi, probably not, but this years worlds had me yelling at the tv much more than in years prior. The new generation came to finish and score across all black belt divisions, and even matches that were decided by narrow margins featured exciting exchanges and there were quite a few matches decided in the last 90 seconds. I also found it interesting that the same guards prevailed across all divisions. From rooster to ultra heavy both men and women relied heavily on lasso, lapel, 50/50, or a combination of these guards and very few of the finals were determined by something outside of these positions. I think it will be very interesting to see whether someone will put actual money into this more dynamic style of gi grappling. I would love to see an adcc style tournament in the gi or bring back acb in a better format. Overall, 2022 worlds made me excited for gi grappling, now I just hope that someone finds a way to compensate the athletes adequately for their effort.