Yesterday evening, I was commenting on another bullfighting guestbook and had noted my perception of what an "attempt" is. I had also suggested that if anyone reading knows any better, please explain.

Here's a well-versed nice response from a Forcado, Ricky Aguiar. He belongs to the Filhos dos Acores/So Cal Forcados Group of California. His position is usually the front or first guy. The front man is the key person to successfully grabbing a bull.

Here's Ricky's response to my comment:
Ok now let me get the record straight with the "attempt" and "try" thing.

If the forcados enter the ring and line up, this is not an attempt or try until the first guy opens his mouth to call the bull.

An example I can use was in Artesia this last weekend. I did enter the ring and walked towards the bull. However, before I can get where I was comfortable to call the bull, he charged. I didnt open my mouth. I did do this a few times, and again this is not an attempt or try.

If I called the bull, then he charged, hit me and I could not hold on, this is a failed attempt or try.

If I call the bull and he charged and for some reason I ran away, this is an attempt or try.

The key is the first guy. As soon as he calls the bull, he now makes it an attempt or try.

This is how it was explained to me from the Correia's and other bullfight afficinados when I first started. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
==end of comment by Ricky==

Here's what I had said prior to his comment:
Now regarding "attempts" or "tries".... it is a matter of "technicality" of one's perception of what an "attempt" is.

This is MY definition of what an "attempt" is.....
The minute the Forcados are lined up in the arena, even if the bull is not ready yet, that is still an "attempt".... meaning they are attempting or trying to grab the bull. If the bull starts charging towards them and they "miss", then that is considered a "failed attempt".

Let's take a gymnast for example: She's at her starting point, the minute she starts running to do a back-hand spring, she is "attempting" to do that. But if she starts to run and then stops and goes back to her position again, that counts as an "attempt" too. If she runs and does her back-hand spring but slips, that is a "failed attempt", but gets counted and will get penalized for every error she made.

So, unless someone has a "rule" book of what an actual "attempt" is, this is how I'm going to perceive it to be.

If anyone reading this and has access to the rules and guidelines of what Forcados do, I would like a copy so that I can post it and properly inform my readers.
==end of my comment==