Privates, what to do?

Im a white belt, and wanted to take Privates with one of my schools blackbelts. I'll be taking 10 private classes.

Now what do you guys suggest I go over? As a white belt im not really "good" at anything, and 10 classes isnt a whole lot. Would it be better to focus on one position? Or do a little bit of everything? Phone Post 3.0

i think you should roll with the Black Belt and see what he suggest. If you are a whitebelt my opinion is that you work on escapes and concepts of why they work and how you can use one to set up another.

def roll with one first but I would say escapes and guard passes

Focus on your ability to escape from bottom. So many details in them that apply to all areas of jiu jitsu. Phone Post 3.0

Side escapes. Pick one or two and learn the variations and fine details.

Ability to escape is what makes the game fun. Phone Post

Ask your questions about what basic positions and submissions you like. While the instructor can just tell show what to do. The techniques may not favor your body style. He should roll with you for a bit and tell you what you can work on. It's your money so I'm sure you should have a say.

What school and who is the privates with?

As a white belt I think the benefit you'll get from privates will be limited. Having said that, pin escapes should be your focus. You shouldn't "do a bit of everything", you might as well do a lot of nothing.

I'm a bit cynical because I've seen several new students over the years pay for a lot of privates because they think they'll improve faster. What they actually need is more mat time, & rolling.

Privates are most valuable where you have a strong understanding of a position and you need to refine it, or overcome a sticking point. As a white belt that's not really possible.

YPO - Ask your questions about what basic positions and submissions you like. While the instructor can just tell show what to do. The techniques may not favor your body style. He should roll with you for a bit and tell you what you can work on. It's your money so I'm sure you should have a say.

What school and who is the privates with?

i agree with YPO. develop what you are good at as early as you can. every bjj player should develop his own 'game' asap. i see too many guys who train for years and are not were they should be because they have spent years accumulating different techniques and strategies without ever analytically creating/developing what suits them best.

also if you have a choice of BB teachers, try to get the best teacher, not necessarily the best competitor.

They arent necessarily the same thing...

how long at white? are you brand new?


if you're new, don't bother. do privates when you have some time in to refine things or fine tune things. learn small nuances or details you didn't think of before.

use that money for tuition.

who do want to beat? go roll with the guy and see what he does,then have the bb fix it.

Thanks for the advice guys. 

From the sounds of things, I may hold off abit!

 

passing the guard and escaping the mount.

Pride Wanderlei - 


Thanks for the advice guys. 



From the sounds of things, I may hold off abit!



 


I'd highly recommend you do that. 10 privates is a lot. A lot of time, and a lot of money. Not all black belts are worth that commitment. Especially when you're relatively new, and wont yet get the maximum benefit from the experience.

Once you start to develop your game, keep an eye out for specialists on positions you use. It may be someone over from a seminar, or a visiting black/brown belt. Those are the guys that are worth doing privates with. Specialists in positions you are already strong at, that have the knowledge to improve your game.

jasongv, great insight for a white belt. Two great posts IMO. I would take Jason's advice OP.

berimbolo, twister, flying gogoplata... you know...stick to the basics.



for real you have some great advice on this page. just keep showing up to class consistently.

If you for the money then do the privates now.
10 is enough for you to roll, get assessed in the first session and then plan out the rest of the sessions well . You can learn a truck load in 10 one on one sessions
Get some key details that you may miss or overlook in a big group class. Or get a tailored game plan advice for your body type, analysis of your strengths, whatever

You will probably gain more from the privates later on, but only because you will be more advanced and will have more specific things you want to work on. That will always be the case though a blue 's insight is greater than a white, but a purple' s is even better etc Phone Post

If you do the 10 privates I would suggest repeating the same 2-3 lessons 3-5 times each. I've found that it takes a lot of repetition to learn technique. Firs time you see it and drill it its basically an intro into the position or technique. As a white belt you won't appreciate or learn any of the smaller details that make it work until you've seen it A LOT. Every time I see a black belt teach basic escapes or moves I seem to learn another small detail that I had missed the first 20 or 30 times I had been taught Phone Post 3.0