Making the Most Out of Your BJJ Private Lessons

Private lessons in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offer a unique opportunity for growth that group classes can’t always match. Whether you're preparing for a tournament, addressing a plateau, or refining specific techniques, private sessions can fast-track your development—if approached correctly.

At RollBliss, we understand that progress in Jiu-Jitsu is a personal journey. No two athletes have the same goals, learning style, or challenges. That’s why private lessons—custom-built to your needs—can create breakthroughs in your game that regular training can’t always provide.

But simply booking a private isn’t enough. To truly make it count, you need to approach it with the right mindset and preparation. This blog breaks down how to get the most value from every minute of your BJJ private lessons.

Key Takeaways

• Have a specific goal before your private lesson begins.
• Choose an instructor whose strengths align with your training needs.
• Drill and review your lesson as soon as possible afterward.
• RollBliss gear is built for practitioners who train with clarity, intent, and ambition.

Define a Clear Goal Before the Lesson

One of the biggest mistakes students make is showing up without a plan. A private lesson isn’t just extra mat time—it’s focused, tailored instruction. Know what you want to work on, and communicate it.

Ask yourself:

• Is there a position I constantly lose?
• Do I need help creating a game that suits my body type?
• Am I prepping for a specific opponent or ruleset?
• Do I want to learn a new system, like leg locks or back control?

Tip: Write down your questions or problem areas in advance. This ensures the session stays targeted and efficient.

Choose the Right Instructor for Your Goals

Every instructor has their specialties, experience level, and teaching style. When booking a private, choose someone whose strengths align with your needs.

For example:

• If you're struggling to retain guard, choose someone with a fluid bottom game.
• For competition prep, go with a coach who knows strategy and scoring inside out.
• If you need conceptual depth, work with someone who explains why moves work, not just how.

At RollBliss, we’ve found that the most effective private sessions occur when the student and coach are aligned in both skill and communication.

Don’t Try to Cram Everything Into One Session

It’s tempting to ask a dozen questions, cover five positions, and learn ten new techniques. But private lessons are most effective when you go deep, not wide.

Focus on:

• One key position or transition
• One sequence of chained movements
• One repeated problem you face in life rolls

When you narrow your focus, you retain more information and improve more quickly.

Ask Questions During the Session

Private lessons aren’t performances—they’re conversations. If something isn’t clicking, speak up. Your coach is there to help, not to impress.

Great follow-up questions include:

• “What do I do if my opponent frames here?”
• “Can you show me the next step if this sweep fails?”
• “What’s the biggest mistake I’m making in this position?”

The more you ask, the more you learn.

Record the Session (If Allowed)

Memory is fallible, especially after an intense hour of new information. With your instructor’s permission, record the lesson so you can review it later.

Benefits of recording:

• You can rewatch subtle details
• You can drill what you learned at your own pace
• It becomes a personalized learning library

Just make sure you review it after. Watching the footage is just as important as taking it.

Drill Immediately After

Stay for open mat or find a partner afterward to drill what you just learned. Repetition cements the details into muscle memory.

If immediate drilling isn’t possible:

• Please write down the key steps of each technique while they’re fresh
• Review your notes or footage that same day
• Drill during your next session and ask your coach for feedback

Consistency is what turns a private lesson into lasting improvement.

Don’t Expect Instant Mastery

One lesson won’t transform your entire game overnight. It takes time, effort, and reps to absorb what you’ve learned.

Think of each private as a deep dive into your development—a targeted investment that, when reinforced, compounds over time.

Build a Series of Lessons Around One Theme

Instead of scattering topics across several unrelated parts, focus on one part of your game over a few sessions.

Example lesson plans:

• Session 1: Guard retention and recovery
• Session 2: Sweeps from open guard
• Session 3: Transitioning to submissions

This approach helps you build systems, not just individual techniques—exactly how top-level grapplers build their games.

Track Your Progress Between Lessons

Keep a training journal or digital log of:

• What you learned
• How it felt in sparring
• What still isn’t working
• Questions that came up afterward

Bring this log to your next session. Your coach can help refine your execution and identify gaps you may not have noticed on your own.

How RollBliss Supports Serious Practitioners

At RollBliss, we understand that the best gains come from thoughtful, focused training, not just grinding more hours. Private lessons are about refining your style, mastering the details, and moving with confidence.

That’s why we design our gis and no-gi gear to support precision, comfort, and performance. Whether you’re drilling under close guidance or rolling full-speed to apply new knowledge, our gear helps you move freely and train longer.

From private lessons to full camps, RollBliss supports every step of your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

Conclusion

Private lessons are one of the most effective ways to accelerate your Jiu-Jitsu progress. They give you direct access to expert insight, personalized feedback, and the chance to fix holes in your game that might otherwise take months to discover.

But like everything in BJJ, what you get out of a private depends on what you put into it. Show up prepared. Ask the right questions. Review the lesson. Drill relentlessly.

And when you need gear that matches your commitment to progress, RollBliss is in your corner—with equipment designed to help you move better, think sharper, and level up faster.

FAQs

How often should I take private lessons in BJJ?

That depends on your goals and budget. Even one private per month, when paired with focused drilling, can lead to breakthroughs.

Are private lessons better than group classes?

Not better—just different. Group classes offer diversity and volume. Private lessons offer precision and depth. The best approach is a balance of both.

What should I bring to my private lesson?

Bring your gi or no-gi gear (preferably your most comfortable RollBliss set), water, a notebook, and an open mind. If your coach allows, bring a phone or camera to record the session.