Advanced Novice Question

[MAD9692]

What's up Andy? I'm glad to see you as a regular contributor to the forum. I purchased your common sense e-book years ago and had success back then using the Charlie Sackett program. I stopped lifting for a little over 3 years because a BJJ school opened up nearby. The gym moved, so I got back into lifting a few months ago and followed the basic SS program. I bought the new PP 3rd edition book and your addition has been very valuable. I have progressed to the advanced novice phase (pg 96) and I have been taking off 30lbs for the back off sets on the squats and roughly 20lbs on the bench. Both the Press and bench are micro-loaded with 2.5lbs.
Here are my questions.
My last Squat set today was 380x5 & then 350 5x2.
My last Bench on Wednesday was 250x5 & then 230 5x2.
The top sets both felt like they were going to staple me, but I grinded through them. Form held together, but barely. How do I know when to switch to sets of 3 as explained on page 97? Do I wait until I cant hit the 5 reps by getting stapled? Or do I get in front of it and switch to 3's now.
I've already had to reset my bench, and I barely got the 250x5.

The Press.
On Monday I hit 170lbs for 5,5,4. Today was 172.5 for 4,5,4. I'm guessing I should just keep going for 5's here?

39yrs old.
Started at 173lbs 3 months ago I'm weighing about 206lbs now.
Eating between 5-6k calories a day.
Rest is 6-7 minutes between sets.

Thanks,

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

You can switch now, if you know you are gonna get stuck