What is Attempt selection?

What is Attempt selection?

Attempt selection is the ongoing decision-making that runs through an entire powerlifting meet: what to open with, how much to jump for attempt 2, and what to gamble on for attempt 3, on each of the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Good attempt selection isn't about picking the three heaviest numbers a lifter can imagine lifting — it's a risk-managed plan that uses the opener to build confidence, the second attempt to bank a solid number and gather information, and reserves the real risk for the final attempt, where a miss costs the least.

How it works

Attempt selection works by treating each attempt as new information rather than sticking rigidly to a pre-written plan. A common structure is an opener around 88-93% of the day's projected best, a second attempt around 95-97%, adjusted with a bigger jump if the opener felt easy or a smaller jump if it felt heavy, and a third attempt at 100% or higher: the lifter's actual attempt at a personal or competition record. The one rule nearly every coach agrees on: never take a would-be PR as the second attempt, because if it's missed, the odds of getting the same weight back on the very next try are extremely low; save the real risk for the last attempt, where a miss simply ends that lift rather than derailing the rest of the meet.

The scale

This is a widely cited coaching convention, not a rigid rule — exact percentages vary by lifter experience, lift, and how the day is going. Adjust attempt 2 and 3 based on how the previous attempt actually felt, not just the original plan.

How to apply it

• Base attempt 2 on how attempt 1 felt: An easy opener earns a bigger jump; an opener that felt like genuine effort earns a smaller, safer jump.
• Never PR on attempt 2: Reserve any new personal record for attempt 3 — a missed PR on attempt 2 rarely comes back on attempt 3.
• Repeat missed attempts (usually): Missing attempt 1 or 2 typically means repeating the same weight rather than jumping, unless an experienced coach makes a specific call otherwise.
• Plan the whole day, not just one lift: A conservative squat attempt plan can free up more risk tolerance on the deadlift, since fatigue and confidence carry across all three lifts.

Worked example

Say a lifter's projected bench press max for the day is 100 kg. Here's a standard attempt-selection ladder and how it might adjust in real time.

The plan sets the starting numbers; how each attempt actually feels should adjust the next one.

Conservative vs aggressive attempt selection

Bombing out — missing all three attempts on one lift — ends your total for the meet, which is why most coaches push new competitors toward the conservative side.

Common misconceptions

• "You should always take a big jump if your second attempt felt easy." Even an easy second attempt should be followed by a considered jump, not an emotional one — going straight for an ambitious PR on attempt 3 without any margin can turn a great day into a missed lift.
• "Attempt selection only matters for advanced lifters." Beginners benefit the most from a clear plan, since bombing out (missing all three attempts on a lift) is far more common — and more discouraging — for first-time competitors without a structured attempt strategy.
• "If your opener is easy, your numbers were too conservative." An opener is supposed to feel easy — that's the entire point, since it's meant to bank a near-certain lift and set up confidence for attempts 2 and 3, not to test your limits.

Related terms

Attempt selection FAQ

What's a good attempt selection strategy for a first powerlifting meet?

Most coaches recommend a conservative plan: an opener around 88-93% of a verified max, a second attempt around 95-97%, and a third attempt reserved for a PR, aiming to make all 9 attempts rather than chase risky numbers.

What does 'bombing out' mean in powerlifting?

Bombing out means missing all three attempts on a single lift, which typically ends a lifter's total for the meet since no valid weight was recorded on that lift.

Should I take a PR on my second attempt?

No. Nearly every coach agrees a would-be personal record should be reserved for the third attempt, since missing a PR on attempt 2 rarely comes back successfully on attempt 3.

How much should I jump between attempts?

A common ladder jumps roughly 5-8% from the opener to the second attempt and another 3-5% or more to the third, though the exact size should adjust based on how the previous attempt actually felt.

What's the 9-for-9 approach?

Going 9 for 9 means successfully completing all three attempts on all three lifts (nine total). It's a conservative strategy commonly recommended for beginners to build meet experience and confidence.

References

1. How to Pick Your Attempts at a Powerlifting Meet. PowerliftingToWin
2. Powerlifting Competition Attempt Calculator & Meet Strategy. StrengthLog
3. A Powerlifter's Guide to Attempt Selection. USA Powerlifting Maryland
4. IPF Technical Rules Book 2023 (three-attempt structure and weight-change rules). International Powerlifting Federation