A method for performing a programming operation for a set of non-volatile storage elements, the non-volatile storage elements are arranged in respective positions along a word line, the method comprising: performing a plurality of program-verify iterations (800, 808; 802; 804; 806), each program-verify iteration includes a program portion in which a program pulse (800, 802, 804, 806) is applied to the word line; and characterised by: during the program portion of at least an ith program-verify iteration of the plurality of program-verify iterations, where i is an integer greater than zero, determining whether to subject at least one non-volatile storage element of the set which is not locked out from programming to a slow down measure based on a position of the at least one non-volatile storage element along the word line; wherein: the at least one non-volatile storage element is not subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a first set of positions (1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420) along the word line, the first set of positions includes every other position along the word line; and the at least one non-volatile storage element is subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a second set of positions (1411, 1413, 1415, 1417, 1419, 1421) along the word line, the positions of the first set of positions are interleaved with the positions of the second set of positions. performing a plurality of program-verify iterations (800, 808; 802; 804; 806), each program-verify iteration includes a program portion in which a program pulse (800, 802, 804, 806) is applied to the word line; and characterised by: during the program portion of at least an ith program-verify iteration of the plurality of program-verify iterations, where i is an integer greater than zero, determining whether to subject at least one non-volatile storage element of the set which is not locked out from programming to a slow down measure based on a position of the at least one non-volatile storage element along the word line; wherein: the at least one non-volatile storage element is not subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a first set of positions (1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420) along the word line, the first set of positions includes every other position along the word line; and the at least one non-volatile storage element is subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a second set of positions (1411, 1413, 1415, 1417, 1419, 1421) along the word line, the positions of the first set of positions are interleaved with the positions of the second set of positions. the at least one non-volatile storage element is not subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a first set of positions (1410, 1412, 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420) along the word line, the first set of positions includes every other position along the word line; and the at least one non-volatile storage element is subjected to the slow down measure when the position of the at least one non-volatile storage element is in a second set of positions (1411, 1413, 1415, 1417, 1419, 1421) along the word line, the positions of the first set of positions are interleaved with the positions of the second set of positions.