Sasquatch said:
In my experience, I think it's important to really siege something for a short window with zero expectations of redpoint. Like 5-7 sessions over a 2-3 week window. This should separate the finicky moves that you just need to learn a little from the actual crux moves. It'll also give you a real idea of how it feels to start linking sections. To start to learn where you'll find the true redpoint crux. After that initial siege, step back and reassess. What will you actually need to get it done, or at least to connect more dots and make progress? Step away from it and spend a dedicated time for another 2-3 weeks doing work to improve that and then come back.
:agree: This is good. Keeps things a bit fresh, rather than turning up week after week trying the same things.
That said, you ain't going to do it if you're not trying it.
But if it's getting you down - leave it for a bit.
I find some specific training helps. Even though you say specific training won't help. I've used the trick of saying "this is just like the Nth lap I do on the board every week" as a mental boost.
Finding lots of links to do - rather than just trying it from the bottom - can be good. You can maintain progress by ticking through links and when you do start from the bottom you have the knowledge of all the links you've achieved. Done badly this could mean you spend longer on it trying links when you should have tried from the ground. It's a fine balance.
If you keep failing at the same point then that's a sign that something ain't right. Re-assess. Change beta. Check your redpoints are using the same beta as working goes. Go away to refresh for a bit.
Warming up well. Starting on something very easy. I'm bad at just jumping on the project but generally fair better if I warm up on something else and do a really good warm-up.
If, like me, you've climbed all the time for years then you can make huge strength gains by having less and shorter but more intense sessions. Lattice have written about this, I think Stu experienced it. Having a child helped me find this sweet spot.
Also Iain, you're a really good climber so I've got 100% faith in your ability to do this!