Uniforms used in Brazilian-Jiu Jitsu

Like many other martial arts, there are also uniforms used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The uniform(also known as gi) used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was adapted from different uniforms that was previously used in other Japanese/Korea martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate and Judo. The shirt is usually made of cotton and the pants is reinforced.. Usually, the belt of the user will be worn over the uniform as the belt shows the user's rank. The sizing is normally follows (A0 - A7) for men, but occasionally judogi sizing is used (1-7)

General Regulations 



The colours of uniforms used in international competition are only Blue, Black and White. In some gyms, they have rules such as the practitioner can only wear the colour of uniform according to their belt rank(Eg. White belt practitioner can only wear white uniforms) However, some gyms allow the members to wear any color as long as they received their blue belt.

Guidelines for BJJ uniform

Gi must be constructed using cotton. Material cannot be too thick to the extent that opponent cannot grab it.
No combined colours are allowed to be use on the uniform(Only pure colours).
The length of the jacket, sleves and other measurements must be according to the BJJ Federation rules.
The belt's width must be 4-5cm. A double knot is usually used to secure the belt to the uniform.
Athletes are not allowed to participate in the competition if the uniform is torn or the measurements are incorrect.
No modification is allowed for the Gi of a BJJ practitioner.

There will be a special gi checking tool  often used to determine acceptable measurements and fit of the gi. This tool resembles a block of wood 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 15 cm with a slit cut in the middle and is used to measure the following[5]:

The jacket lapel must be 5 cm wide.
There must be at least 7 cm of room from the bottom of the competitor's wrist to the bottom of the sleeve.
The jacket lapel must not be thicker than 1.3 cm.

Difference between Judogi and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi


The Gi of BJJ is quite similar to the one in judo. However, there are still some difference which is quite important in BJJ competitions. Firstly, the cuffs are tighter on a BJJ so that the opponent will have less material to grab in a competition. A Judo Gi may be allowed to use in a BJJ competition but a BJJ Gi would not be able to meet the requirements in a Judo competition.

Source adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu_gi

Below will be examples of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi:

Different colors of the BJJ Gi.

BJJ blackbelt Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu chokes his opponent using the gi at the 2009 Pan-Am Championship.

Judo Training Methods
Judo uses three types of training method: formal exercises (kata), freestyle fighting (randori), and matches (shiai). In the formal exercises we determine various instances in which defence or attack might be needed, establish rules for controlling body motion in accordance with correct judo theory, and practice using these set of movement rules. We will omit discussions of both the formal exercises and the techniques used in them.
In freestyle fighting two men practicing together make full use of the throws and the grappling techniques to polish and refine themselves. In matches, we too make use of all the techniques at our command, but in this case the aim is to defeat our opponent.
Training order requires thorough training with freestyle fighting and then participation in matches. Once you have gotten to the point where you are relatively good in judo, you will decide what things you need special training in and practice them yourself in formal exercise training. 
If you are interested in trying these methods out or in fact take up Judo as a past time, you can visit the Singapore Judo academy.

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The three kinds of practice

From the past, we have been taught of three kinds of practice: first rapid techniques which are applied against a man who is better at judo than yourself. In this type of practice you get thrown a great deal. We call this sutekeiko, or throw-away practice, in Japanese. The second method is to practice with someone around your level with the same way you would have if you were involved in a judo match. The third method calls for your practicing with someone not as good at judo as you are. This is not supposed to be a chance for you to shove and push with the strength of your body and arms; it is supposed to be practice in which you use proper body motions, force your opponent off balance, and use techniques that you can handle easily.
Practising to win is an error

One of the most striking things to happen on the postwar judo scene is the almost total abundance of practice for practice's sake, not for the sake of winning. We are told in precise detailed explanations that all virtue lies in practice for practice's sake. It is so significant to progress in the techniques that we must not neglect it. Ignorance of this importance and the attitude that one is a senior or one is a teacher and need practice only to win is a grave error. Prewar senior judo men and teachers reprimanded for this attitude.
Practice for practice sake is the basic element of progress. To repeat, practice for its own sake is the key to progress. Rather than thinking of throwing or taking down your opponent, think that he is actually being good enough to become the model on which you can both brush up on the techniques you are good in and learn various new techniques. Do not be affected if your opponent throws you or turns your own attack against you. Practice with the single idea of learning the body movements and the techniques themselves. In practice sessions use as many right techniques, left techniques, and counter attacks as possible. Naturally, with all this activity one of these practice bouts can only last two or three minutes. That is all right, but remember, work out, rest a moment, work out again, rest again, and keep this process going throughout the entire practice session.
Nowadays, practically everybody assumes that the thing to do is to have an advanced judo man teach you what to do and then for everyone to practice with someone more or less on their own level of proficiency. This notion results in the young man anxious to practice but standing glumly around in the training room because he is ready to work out but is so good that no one is willing to practice with him. Such an attitude, of course, is foolish way of thinking.

Adapted from: http://judoinfo.com/kudo.htm
Compiled and Edited by: Wan Qi

Principles and Goals

Judo, as you already know, is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique rather than pure strength. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and various skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent.
The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world.


Competition

Similar to all other competitions, Judo competitions consist of a set of complex yet necessary rules. The competition area shall be a minimum of 14m x 14m and a maximum of 16m x 16m and shall be covered by tatami or similarly acceptable material, generally green in colour.

The competition area shall be divided into two zones. The demarcation between these two zones shall be called the danger zone and shall be indicated by a red area, approximately 1m wide, forming part of or attached to the contest area, parallel to the four sides of the competition area.

The area within and including the danger zone, shall be called the contest area and shall always be of a minimum of 8m x 8m or a maximum of 10m x 10m. The area outside the danger zone shall be called the safety area and shall be 3m wide.

An adhesive blue tape and a white tape, approximately 10cm wide and 50cm long shall be fixed on the centre of the contest area at a distance of 4m apart, to indicate the positions at which the contestants must start and end the contest. The blue tape shall be to the referee's right and the white to his left.

The competition area must be fixed to a resilient floor or platform. There two or more adjoining competition areas are used, a common safety area of a minimum of 4m is necessary.

A free zone, a minimum of 50cm must be maintained around the competition area.

Note: Where the Rules refer to blue judogi, blue tape, blue flags, blue scoreboard etc, it is permissible for tournament organisers to specify that both contestants will wear a white judogi, the first contestant called will wear a red belt in addition to the grade belt, the second contestant called will wear a white belt in addition to the grade belt, and the equipment (flags, tape, scoreboard, etc) will be red instead of blue.

In Judo, hygiene is one of the top priorities. The judogi shall be clean, generally dry and without unpleasant odour with nails of the feet and hands cut short. The personal hygiene of the contestants shall be of high standard and long hair has to be tied so as to avoid causing any inconvenience to the other contestants.

Competition durations are limited to 5 minutes for men and 4 minutes for women. Any contestant is entitled to rest between contests for a period of 10 minutes.