That John Danaher would praise the IBJJF's decision to allow heel hooks in no-gi competition is no surprise. But what is especially pleasing to the heart and mind is the way he distinguishes gi or "classical" jiu-jitsu from no-gi or what I'll call "modern" jiu-jitsu not just in this context, but in the broader sense of what historically has been the fundamental structure of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
I believe the IBJJF were wise to limit the rule change to no gi competition. Heel hooks in a gi would be too easy due to the friction of pants and the power of gripping the pants to enter ashi garami holds. It would rapidly devolve into a game of whoever gets to the legs first would probably win and much of the classical upper body skill set could be lost. By splitting the game you have one part of Jiu jitsu representing the classical ideal of positional advancement to the upper body pins and submissions that is safe for all levels, weights and age categories and the other emphasizing the notion of limb isolation and control leading to submission over the whole body.Read the rest.
