The goal of this projecting session is to work on your ability to try hard on a rope.
Problem selection:
Select routes that are near your max completed grade in that context. Things to keep in mind are: indoor/outdoor climbing, the angle of the wall, type of holds, etc. Given those things, pick problems that are within about 1 number grade of your max.
So if you’re climbing outside at a crag where your hardest send is a 5.12a, pick between 12a-12b.
If you’re climbing in a gym you’re familiar with where your hardest send is a 5.11c, pick 11c-11dish.
Try not to do this session on brand new terrain; if you do, make sure you warm up with one or two easier routes.
Climbing:
In this session, work moves or sequences that require you to try hard. It’s still important to analyze the movement and make sure you’re doing it correctly. This can be done on toprope or lead. If your goal is to lead routes, you should do this session on lead. It’s OK to have your belayer lower you so you can try sections again on pseudo-top-rope.
Ideally, you should be able to string sections of moves together. Try to work an entire route this way, doing sequences where you have to try hard and resting on the rope as needed. You can stick to one project for the entire session, or switch routes each time it’s your turn to climb.
Don’t change wall angles or crags too many times during the session. Staying on a similar wall angle makes it easier to notice when your power drops. When your power drops, the project session is over.
Focus:
The focus of the session is on getting yourself to try hard, so you will fail in this session.
Combination:
This is a general session and can be combined with any session. Perform immediately after finalizing your warmup. Do not combine this session with intense endurance training or other maximum effort climbing sessions. If you do conditioning afterward, be sure to rest a few minutes first and get some food and water. In general, project days should be the shortest session of your week.