Failing in the squat rack

[mkkn]

Noticed that a huge part of how many reps I get done when squatting is psychological. Often times the 5th rep feels like I don't have anything in me anymore.. then I say "fuck it" and get 2 or 3 or more out. It becomes harder and harder to estimate whether I'm being foolish though as the weight gets heavier.

I don't have anybody who could spot me when squatting. What is the best strategy when it comes to failing in the squat rack? Tried to look for some info, but couldn't find anything except videos of people failing in stupid ways.

I usually just squat a few inches below parallel. If I would want to rest the bar safely on the rails, I would have to go ATG. Is that recommended way to fail? I should just try it out with some heavy weight a few times so I get comfortable with doing it?

[TomF]

Personally, I set the safety bars to about 2" below parallel. Except for once when I lost balance forwards (that was exciting!), every time I've missed a squat rep it's been coming out of the hole ... and it's been easy to just set it down while maintaining correct back posture.

I think that squatting as far below parallel as you describe you're probably leaving some strength gains on the table unnecessarily - which is why Rip's recommended breaking parallel, but not going ATG. I also think that you may easily also be making it somewhat less safe to put the bar down in a failed rep, if you have to risk dropping your chest to set it down.

[melody]

I put the bars 2-3 inches lower than my squat, and just lower the bar down if I miss. I am flexible enough to squat ATG though, so it is easy for me to drop down that way. I have never missed a squat from high though, it is always just out of the hole.

[Tiburon]

Sometimes you do a set of 8? What's your programming? Selye baby