Texas Method Deadlift Burnout after 500x5x1

[Jack Morrison]

Background:
Almost 18 yrs old, male, 5'11", 220 lbs
Squat - running out Texas Method; volume day = 385x5x4; intensity day = first week of singles at 460x1x5
Bench and Press - not worth mentioning for the context of this post, but relatively low.
- regular sleep, stress, and eating

I ran sets of 5 on deadlifts on Texas Method to 500x5x1; this was the end of a very long affair with 1 set of 5 reps and it also marked the point where I decided to stop gaining weight when I had previously been gaining 1 lb / week for the past 15-20 weeks. The next week, I switched to one triple at 505x3x1. The week after, I attempted 510x3x1 and only the first rep came off the floor. I tried this same weight again for a triple the following week and I got the same result: after the 1st rep, the weight just would not come off of the floor. Meanwhile, my squat has been going up steadily, even continuing to progress regularly on volume days, too. I had been running 2 sets of 5 deadlifts at 87% of my top set instead of sets of power cleans; this deadlift semi-volume day had facilitated regular deadlift progress for the past 7 weeks. It appears that my deadlift is just burnt out now, as evidenced by how I hit a wall hard here.
It is obviously time to move on to alternative deadlift programming because I cannot recover from what I am currently running. I am thinking of switching to 1 set of 8 partials one week with 1 set of 8 rack pulls the other and progressing each 5 lbs at a time, as outlined on this site. When I am done running out my squats, which should not be in too long of a time as I am now on 5 sets of singles for ID, I plan on cutting bodyweight from my 19% navy tape-test result down to about 10% using a Heavy-light-medium scheme. Do you think the partial/rack pull hybrid style of deadlift programming can be done successfully on a cut? Moreover, do you think one or two sets of 5 regular deadlifts on a medium day would be unreasonable on this split; if so, would you instead recommend 2 sets of stiff-legged pulls?

Thanks,
Jack Morrison

[Hayden-William Courtland]

The switch from regular deadlifts to stiff or rack pulls at this stage is generally made so that the system-wide stress on the body is reduced (or to focus on weaknesses). So, if you are truly being run into the ground with deadlifts, then I might hold off on 5 regular deadlifts for medium day. However, the fact that you decided to stop gaining weight is likely the primary factor in progress slowing down. If you then decide to cut, you will run into further difficulties if you are trying to make gains; exercise selection won't override that. It would be best to view the training as having a goal of preserving as much muscle and strength as possible during the period you are cutting.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Why is a 17-year-old male at 5'11" and 220 cutting?

[Jack Morrison]

I just want to see what being lean is like. If it's not all it's cracked up to be, I'll go right back to this bodyweight, probably even higher.

[Ericw]

Why is a 17-year-old male at 5'11" and 220 cutting?

Picking up chicks. Which, you know, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

[Jack Morrison]

How could you have possibly guessed?