Deadlift Repetition/Set Speed

[Euclid]

I re-skimmed the deadlift section of SS:BBT and ran a search but did not find the answer to this question.

Is there any guidance regarding rest/reset time in between deadlift repetitions? I'll perform 1 rep, set the bar down and reset everything before performing my next pull. This time in between reps might be anywhere from 15-30 seconds. Am I losing anything, or completely F'ing up the program by not immediately pulling again once I've returned the bar to the floor?

[Mark Rippetoe]

You are doing singles in a cluster, not a real set. Technically, a set takes place without letting go of the bar.

[confuzzl3don3]

Sort of on topic, but in regards to the same issue with powercleans. How do we know if we're doing a set of 3 rather than a cluster of 3 singles. You have to drop the weight and then reset bar, grip, foot position each rep....so i was wondering how you determine if you're actually doing the right thing (5 sets of 3)

[stronger]

It probably also doesn't help your grip to have to re-grip the bar every rep. When I'm doing a heavy set, my hands are clenched tight the entire time, and the grip tends to get stronger as the set progresses (to a point).

I imagine for any exercise, if you reset completely every single rep, you'd kill the fluidity and groove of the motion

[Brad Davis]

Is there a limit for how long is too long between reps, assuming the grip is maintained? I noticed the other day that I was taking 4-5 breaths between reps 3, 4, and 5 and I started wondering if I was really doing several singles instead of a set of 5.

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you take more time to regrip and reset your position than is necessary to do it without resting, you are taking too long for it to be considered a real set.

Most exercises are reset between reps, especially if they are heavy and therefore dependent on a good starting position each rep. "Fluidity and groove of motion" is more specific to dancing.

If I'm doing a set of 20 squats, the last reps will take several breaths between them. But then, the bar didn't get any lighter so I wasn't really resting , eh? If you're stopping long enough between reps of a set of 5 deadlifts that you have time to stand up, breathe several times, talk, reset your feet, and then regrip, this is too long between reps to be considered an honest set.