No Gi Jiu Jitsu Training Northridge Submission Grappling | Phone Number: +1 818-357-4074
Gi Jiu Jitsu Training Northridge Submission Grappling, you are looking for a specific, high-velocity style of grappling that removes the traditional kimono (Gi) and focuses on wrestling, clinching, and submission holds applied against a sweating, slippery opponent.
In Northridge, CA, this scene is dominated by Gracie Barra Northridge (GBN), primarily because its leader, Professor Romulo Barral, is not just a Gi champion but also an ADCC Champion (Abu Dhabi Combat Club)—the most prestigious | Submission Grappling tournament on Earth.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the No-Gi and Submission Grappling training available in Northridge.
- What is “No-Gi” (Submission Grappling)?
While traditional BJJ uses the Gi (handles on the clothing), No-Gi requires a different gripping strategy.
The Gear: You wear a compression shirt (rash guard) and board shorts.
The Grips: Without lapels or sleeves to grab, you must rely on “Wrestling Grips”—collar ties, underhooks, overhooks, and wrist control.
The Pace: No-Gi is significantly faster. Without the friction of the heavy cotton Gi to slow down movement, the matches are explosive, slippery, and scramble-heavy.
- The Northridge Curriculum: The “ADCC” Influence
At Gracie Barra Northridge, the No-Gi curriculum is heavily influenced by the ADCC (Submission Wrestling) ruleset. This means the training is distinct from the Gi classes:
Wrestling & Takedowns:
In the Gi, you can grab a collar and pull guard. In No-Gi, wrestling is mandatory.
Classes focus heavily on shooting double-legs, singles, and utilizing “snap-downs” to control the opponent’s head.
Front Headlock Series:
Because there are no collars to choke with, No-Gi emphasizes chokes that use the arm to trap the head and arm.
Expect to drill Guillotine Chokes, D’Arce Chokes, and Anaconda Chokes extensively.
Leg Locks:
Modern Submission Grappling is obsessed with leg attacks. While GB keeps it safe for beginners, advanced classes explore heel hooks, knee bars, and straight ankle locks—techniques that are often easier to apply without the Gi pants getting in the way.
- The “Season” Structure
Unlike some MMA gyms that train No-Gi year-round, Gracie Barra Northridge often follows the competitive calendar.
The No-Gi Season: Training shifts heavily toward No-Gi usually in the second half of the year (Summer | Fall) to prepare the team for the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships.
Weekly Integration: Even during “Gi season,” there are typically dedicated No-Gi sessions on the schedule (often Tuesdays/Thursdays or specific morning slots) to ensure skills stay sharp.
- Uniform Policy (The “Red Shield” Standard)
You cannot just show up to GB Northridge in an old t-shirt and basketball shorts. The academy enforces strict uniformity even for submission grappling.
Ranked Rash Guard: You must wear a tight-fitting Gracie Barra rash guard that corresponds to your belt rank (e.g., a blue shirt if you are a blue belt).
GB Shorts: You must wear the official grappling shorts, which are designed without pockets or zippers (to prevent fingers from getting caught or skin getting cut).
Hygiene: Because there is direct skin-to-skin contact (more so than in the Gi), hygiene is paramount. Rash guards must be washed after every single session.
- Who is this for?
MMA Aspirants: If you want to fight in MMA, No-Gi is mandatory. You cannot wear a Gi in the cage.
Self-Defense Focus: No-Gi is often considered more “realistic” for summer months or beach scenarios where an attacker won’t be wearing a heavy jacket.
Athletes: The cardio in No-Gi is intense. The lack of friction means you are constantly moving, scrambling, and exploding. It is a higher-calorie burn than many slow-paced Gi classes.
- How to Join
Prerequisites: Beginners often start in the GB1 program (which is primarily Gi-based to teach safety/mechanics). However, No-Gi fundamentals are introduced early on.
Advanced Access: The high-level Submission Grappling classes (GB2/GB3 No-Gi) are where the “sharks” swim. Here you will train with professional competitors who travel to Northridge specifically to learn Romulo Barral’s pressure passing game adapted for No-Gi.
No-Gi Training at Gracie Barra Northridge is elite-level Submission Grappling. It combines the pressure passing of traditional BJJ with the explosive takedowns of American Wrestling and the submission precision of an ADCC champion. It is fast, sweaty, and incredibly effective.
Next Step:
Would you like to know the specific days and times that No-Gi classes are currently held on the Northridge schedule?
Gracie Barra Northridge Location & Contact:
Address: 19520 Nordhoff St 10th, Northridge, CA 91324
Phone: +1 818-357-4074
info@gbnorthridge.com
Website: gbnorthridge.com
Hours
Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM
Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM
Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM
Sundays: CLOSED
No Gi Jiu Jitsu Training Northridge Submission Grappling | Phone Number: +1 818-357-4074
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Gracie Barra Northridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Phone: +1 818-357-4074Secondary phone: +1 818-357-4074
Email: info@gbnorthridge.com
URL: https://gbnorthridge.com/
| Monday | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |








