Am I building my blocks correctly? Roux Question.

[Brold]

When I build my left and right block I normally put in the 2 edges for the blocks. For example 1 of my blocks is white blue. So i put the white blue in next to the white center. I do the same with the green white. Its like I am building a cross but with only 2 opposite white edges. I then put in corners like I am solving beginners method. And put in edges with the alg: D R' D R D' F D'
Thats how i build my blocks. I tried to explain as well as I could and if you need me to make a video I can. Help please.

 

[TDM]

Try to make a 2x2 square first. Put any piece with its centre to form a 'pair', then make a pair of pieces that goes with it, then join the two pairs to form a square. Add on another pair to make a 1x2x3 block. That's how most Roux users do it, and it's the fastest way to make the blocks almost all of the time.

 

[Brold]

Try to make a 2x2 square first. Put any piece with its centre to form a 'pair', then make a pair of pieces that goes with it, then join the two pairs to form a square. Add on another pair to make a 1x2x3 block. That's how most Roux users do it, and it's the fastest way to make the blocks almost all of the time.

I assume I do this for both the first and second block?

 

[TDM]

I assume I do this for both the first and second block?

Yeah, both blocks.

 

[Brold]

Yeah, both blocks.

Thank you.

 

[lerenard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69dVNspbkl8

try watching this video, it's by one of the fastest roux users.

Like TDM said, try to make corner-edge pairs and then join that to an edge-center pair to make a 1x1x2, and then add in another corner-edge pair. Eventually you will get skilled enough that you can find cancellations and optimize the whole first block into just a few moves, but for now just focus on getting it done. This website can help you know how many moves to shoot for in your first block based on your time and just give you general help.

 

[Brold]

Just did my first block in 17 moves! Trying to aim for 15.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[Brold]

Scratch that. I just got 34 moves for both blocks combined which is roughly 17 per block.

 

[lerenard]

Scratch that. I just got 34 moves for both blocks combined which is roughly 17 per block.

Your first block can be much more efficient than your second block, so if they both take the same number of moves you're not utilizing all your freedom in the first block. Still, that's fine for now, just keep looking for new tricks. I am still finding new ways to pair up pieces all the time and I can get first block in 9 moves or less usually. The second block is more algorithmic due to the restriction on available moves, but eventually you want to treat it as 1x2x2 + 1x1x2, not 5 individual pieces or even a cross edge and two pairs. Good luck.

 

[porkynator]

To get started with block-building, I strongly advise this page (everything except commutators and conjugates). It is absolutely worth the ~5 minutes it takes for reading it.