Hustling backwards bruh
My Theory: abs only need to be worked directly when bulking
My Reasoning: Isolation movements should always be increased when bulking to help damage the muscle enough to spur growth. But then during cutting, they can be dialed back since muscle retention is relatively easy and compound movements do the majority of that work
Doing abs during cutting is silly to me since ab workouts are not big calorie burners, and they already get enough work during compounds for 'maintenance'
Just my opinion.
Of course, in practice I don't do ab exercises during either period of time

. Its not fun and I'm not an underwear model, so whats the point

. My abs look fine when I'm lean without any special attention