Hey guys, I'm attending the Wisconsin Open in 2 weeks(Thanks Bryan, now I don't have to wait for the Minnesota Open), and I can solve sub 50s, not the best, but I could be in sub 40s if I could fix my cross issue. I can never get it fast, it always takes about 10 seconds to get the cross, due to looking around and what not. Does anyone have a suggestion of solving the cross, I would love to be able to get the cross in sub 3s or so.
Solving the cross
- Thread starter falkman
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Escher
Babby
well... no offence intended at all, but i think that getting sub3s cross anytime soon is going to be VERY tough. as in, impossible
there are a myriad of ways to improve your cross...
i assume that when you make the cross you use more than 9/10 moves, if it takes you 10 seconds? you should try and use moves efficiently. for example, if on your L, you have a blue/white cross piece oriented correctly, and opposite to the white face, and then on the front-up position you have an orange/white edge, misoriented, you can do LULF' to solve those two. i dont have a cube to hand so sorry if the colour scheme is wrong or something, but hopefully you see the concept - using moves you would already be doing to help orient/solve another edge.
also, you can sneakily put in a pair/corner before you've finished the cross sometimes, even if it increases the move count, you can mentally 'tag' it and move on.
as always, badmephistos guide to cross making on youtube is the high standard for video tutorials.
hope i helped to some degree...
there are a myriad of ways to improve your cross...
i assume that when you make the cross you use more than 9/10 moves, if it takes you 10 seconds? you should try and use moves efficiently. for example, if on your L, you have a blue/white cross piece oriented correctly, and opposite to the white face, and then on the front-up position you have an orange/white edge, misoriented, you can do LULF' to solve those two. i dont have a cube to hand so sorry if the colour scheme is wrong or something, but hopefully you see the concept - using moves you would already be doing to help orient/solve another edge.
also, you can sneakily put in a pair/corner before you've finished the cross sometimes, even if it increases the move count, you can mentally 'tag' it and move on.
as always, badmephistos guide to cross making on youtube is the high standard for video tutorials.
hope i helped to some degree...
rjohnson_8ball
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I am bad with cross too.
You are allowed up to 15 seconds to inspect the cube before you begin the solve. The best cubers use that time to plan out their twists for the cross. Some even consider their first corner/edge pair for F2L during inspection too.
badmephisto has a video for more efficient cross building:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ
One way to practice is to give yourself much more inspection time, gradually reducing it over time. Locate the cross pieces, close your eyes, and imagine a sequence to solve the cross, then open your eyes and check the sequence. Eventually, try the sequence while your eyes are still closed. If you can do the sequence without hardly thinking with your eyes open, you can look for a corner/edge pair as you do the cross build.
As I said, I am rotten with the cross too, so I probably am not qualified to respond to your post. But this question has been answered before. If my answer is incomplete, an expert may help more.
You are allowed up to 15 seconds to inspect the cube before you begin the solve. The best cubers use that time to plan out their twists for the cross. Some even consider their first corner/edge pair for F2L during inspection too.
badmephisto has a video for more efficient cross building:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ
One way to practice is to give yourself much more inspection time, gradually reducing it over time. Locate the cross pieces, close your eyes, and imagine a sequence to solve the cross, then open your eyes and check the sequence. Eventually, try the sequence while your eyes are still closed. If you can do the sequence without hardly thinking with your eyes open, you can look for a corner/edge pair as you do the cross build.
As I said, I am rotten with the cross too, so I probably am not qualified to respond to your post. But this question has been answered before. If my answer is incomplete, an expert may help more.
well in my opinion you should take as much time as you need to preplan the cross and then time it with your eyes closed.
just do that for 1 or 2 weeks 20-30 times a day and you'll be sub 5
that was the method i used to master the cross now i only need 7 secs on average to preplan and 2 seconds average to solve the cross
just do that for 1 or 2 weeks 20-30 times a day and you'll be sub 5
that was the method i used to master the cross now i only need 7 secs on average to preplan and 2 seconds average to solve the cross
shelley
chang
You shouldn't have to look around while doing the cross. Use your 15 second pre-inspection wisely, spot your four pieces and plan out your cross execution beforehand.
Also, be familiar with your color scheme, if you're not already. Then you'll be able to build the cross independently of the other centers, aligning it at the end.
Also, be familiar with your color scheme, if you're not already. Then you'll be able to build the cross independently of the other centers, aligning it at the end.
Sa967St
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if you're using a beginner's cross building technique (orient all 4 edges on U face then do R2/L2/F2 to place them), ditch that
cookingfat
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I'm currently working on my cross too as it really sucks sometimes. This advice worked the best for me. I just removed the inspection time and took as long as I needed. my times dropped very quickly for doing this.
dangitsmatthew
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Hmm thanks for that info. My cross is hopeless too and hasn't really been improving. I'll try this method of long inspection times.
brunson
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Get a cube and remove all the stickers except centers and the cross. Practice with that for a couple of weeks and your times will drop dramatically. My cross times went from 15 seconds to 5 in less than three weeks.
DAE_JA_VOO
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Mastering the cross is a seriously tough process. It's something that you'll just have to practice, for a REALLY long time.
Rabid
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Just curious..
As a Petrus user I think I'm solving a "half-cross" before finishing the first block (corner/edge). Or am I missing something..?
As a Petrus user I think I'm solving a "half-cross" before finishing the first block (corner/edge). Or am I missing something..?
So, you're solving two edges on the D face, for example edges on F and R, and then inserting a corner/edge paid in between the two?
EmersonHerrmann
Veteran
Just practice your cross for a few days and try to improve how you do it, after a while it comes naturally (I sometimes do average of 5 petrus solves, but when I first pick up the cube, the first thing I usually see is all 4 cross pieces and my mind immediately plans how I'd solve it xD) So after solve after solve after solve, it just becomes instinct. I would have posted badmephisto's tutorial but it seems that Mr. Johnson has already done so 
Rabid
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Yes.
I can usually place the first two during inspection..but sometimes lose the corner and edge after that. I’ve started trying to place the corner/edge at the same time to start...but it’s a bit awkward, and I still lose the other edge sometimes.
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Analbaby
Member
I find it quite easy to use M2 (except M2 and be a little tricky, its quite an awkward finger trick) to get 2 or more pieces correctly orientated, then use the d layer to get them in the right place.
enigmahack
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Interesting - My issue isn't that I can't see the cross in 6-7 or even 8 moves, but my execution stinks.
Like, I can see how to do it, I can do it without looking, but it still takes me 4 seconds sometimes which makes me angry... Because I can't make it flow like these other guys and gals I see solving crazy fast.
But yeah, realistically it seems like a "Keep practicing" thing
Like, I can see how to do it, I can do it without looking, but it still takes me 4 seconds sometimes which makes me angry... Because I can't make it flow like these other guys and gals I see solving crazy fast.
But yeah, realistically it seems like a "Keep practicing" thing
elcarc
Banned
Interesting - My issue isn't that I can't see the cross in 6-7 or even 8 moves, but my execution stinks.
Like, I can see how to do it, I can do it without looking, but it still takes me 4 seconds sometimes which makes me angry... Because I can't make it flow like these other guys and gals I see solving crazy fast.
But yeah, realistically it seems like a "Keep practicing" thing
I have the same problem
cmhardw
Premium Member
Yes you can think of it this way, but I wouldn't recommend to solve this way a lot. I am a Fridrich solver but I'm a bit more free form with the cross in that I also sometimes start with a 2x2x2 and build off of that. Whenever I start with a 2x2x2 it's very rare that I solve 2 cross edges and then a corner edge pair. For 2x2x2 I recommend to try to follow 1x1x2 -> 2x2x1 -> 2x2x2 most of the time. This tends to save moves.
As to the OP about solving cross, try to plan out a blindfolded cross execution of 2 pieces. So inspect and plan all the moves necessary to solve 2 cross pieces. Then close your eyes and solve those two. After that re-inspect to try to figure out the moves for the other two and repeat. Work up to doing 3 of the cross pieces, then all 4.
Also don't be afraid to start with a 2x2x2 on occasion. This, for a Fridrich solver, is the cross with a corner edge pair already placed. It makes it a bit harder to insert the other 2 cross pieces sometimes, but usually it is not too bad. Experiment with Petrus also, see if you like more a block building approach for the start than just always cross. Remember that the goal is to solve the cube, but it does not matter how you get there. So pick a way you like.
Chris
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Deal. You've convinced me to actively work on my cross, which blows.
Wow. I've never really looked into other methods but I'll say, after reading this and do a couple solves by getting a couple cross pieces, solving its corner, and just building off that however I happen to do it - I like! I can't believe I never really thought to just ... do that, and break free of the limitations I'd put on myself by following the method I learned. It's ...if nothing else.. just fun to do something different.
I almost feel like it's quicker too, though I haven't timed myself at all. This may be because my cross blows and I spend too much time on it - therefore doing the first couple easy cross pieces then F2Lin' that corner (if it seems easier/quicker to go on and do that) repositions other cross pieces or makes them easier to find or.. maybe it's just in my mind. I don't know. But it's fun.
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