Ender's progression diary: a beginner's path

[Ender]

Hi everybody!!!

Declaration of intent:

I'm a beginner. I'm new to speedsolving. I'm the worst cuber in the world. But... now I'm the king of enthusiasm and I want to be a better cuber, improve my times and technique, and have fun in speedsolving!!

So I've decided to create a "diary" of my progression, doubts, problems and solutions I'm finding every day, or week, or whenever. I hope this thread will be useful for people like me who are starting in speedsolving and have tons of doubts, problems and questions.

I will update this thread daily, weekly or when I have things to comment, answer or improvements to archieve.

You are invited to participate!!!

Disclaimer

I'm sorry for my bad english. I'm from Spain and I am aware of the language barrier. Hope you understand me correctly.

Here we go!

• Cubes I have: Gans 356, Dayan GuHong, YJ Guanlong and Weilong
• My PB: 1:27:858 (with beginners method)
• Objetive: I'm starting to learn basic CFOP, especially Cross and intuitive F2L. Learn Fingertricks.
• This week: I have been practicing intuitive F2L and cross solving speed. Unfortunately my times went worse that with beginners method. More than I expected.
  
  

  Generated By csTimer on 2016-3-4
  
  avg of 5: 2:26.37
  
  Time List:
  1. (1:33.31) U2 R' D B R U' F2 D L' U2 L F2 R U2 D2 L' D2 L2 U2
  2. 2:07.55 B2 F2 R U2 R U2 R' D2 L' B2 R F R' U B F D' F2 D' B2 U
  3. (3:22.64) U2 L2 B2 U2 L' F2 D2 R2 D2 L F' D U2 B' F D2 L F2 U2 F
  4. 3:19.13 F' U' B2 D' U' F2 R2 F2 D' B2 L2 U2 L R D F R' F2 U' B F2
  5. 1:52.42 U' F2 R2 D B2 L2 B2 L2 U F2 R' U' F' D2 U2 R B D' L U'

  
  
  
• Practice for next week: Improve my skills and try to improve my average times. Try to have less pauses and breaks and do everything more fluid and smooth.

 

[MoFoYa]

I'm pretty much exactly where you are right now! I don't time my solves yet usually, but I'm sub 2 min with the beginner method on a walmart cube. I have a better cube in the mail expected in a few days. I'm working on a faster cross, color neutrality and just starting intuitive F2L. Finger tricks are HARD with my slow cube though! I can flick U and U' with my index fingers and R with my middle. L' gets stuck a lot and I can't do F or D at all. I hope a better cube is easier to work with!

Good luck on your journey!

 

[rishirs321]

Hi everybody!!!

Declaration of intent:

I'm a beginner. I'm new to speedsolving. I'm the worst cuber in the world. But... now I'm the king of enthusiasm and I want to be a better cuber, improve my times and technique, and have fun in speedsolving!!

So I've decided to create a "diary" of my progression, doubts, problems and solutions I'm finding every day, or week, or whenever. I hope this thread will be useful for people like me who are starting in speedsolving and have tons of doubts, problems and questions.

I will update this thread daily, weekly or when I have things to comment, answer or improvements to archieve.

You are invited to participate!!!

Disclaimer

I'm sorry for my bad english. I'm from Spain and I am aware of the language barrier. Hope you understand me correctly.

Here we go!

• Cubes I have: Gans 356, Dayan GuHong, YJ Guanlong and Weilong
• My PB: 1:27:858 (with beginners method)
• Objetive: I'm starting to learn basic CFOP, especially Cross and intuitive F2L. Learn Fingertricks.
• This week: I have been practicing intuitive F2L and cross solving speed. Unfortunately my times went worse that with beginners method. More than I expected.
  
  
  
  
  
• Practice for next week: Improve my skills and try to improve my average times. Try to have less pauses and breaks and do everything more fluid and smooth.

These videos may help you, Ender!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-xbcAMfWwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GxLM_dZqg4

But, without practising, no matter how many tutorials you watch, you can't get good. When switching to CFOP from beginner's method, my times worsened too. But once you get familiar with the cases you will get faster. Also, are you using 4LLL or just the beginner's last layer method with just one alg for OLL? Learning 4LLL can improve your times. And most mportantly, practise!!!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Ender]

I'm pretty much exactly where you are right now! I don't time my solves yet usually, but I'm sub 2 min with the beginner method on a walmart cube. I have a better cube in the mail expected in a few days. I'm working on a faster cross, color neutrality and just starting intuitive F2L. Finger tricks are HARD with my slow cube though! I can flick U and U' with my index fingers and R with my middle. L' gets stuck a lot and I can't do F or D at all. I hope a better cube is easier to work with!

Good luck on your journey!

Thank you MoFoYa!! As Rishis321 says, I think you need another better cube. I hope that your mail arrive soon and you enjoy your new cube!!!

These videos may help you, Ender!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-xbcAMfWwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GxLM_dZqg4

But, without practising, no matter how many tutorials you watch, you can't get good. When switching to CFOP from beginner's method, my times worsened too. But once you get familiar with the cases you will get faster. Also, are you using 4LLL or just the beginner's last layer method with just one alg for OLL? Learning 4LLL can improve your times. And most mportantly, practise!!!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks rishirs321!! Very useful that videos!! I'm going to add them to this week practice :tu

Is very difficult to me to find pairs quickly in F2L. One of the goals of practice this week is try to improve that.

For last layer, I still use beginners method. Next stage (in 2 or 3 weeks) will be about 4LLL. Now I want to focus in cross and intuitive F2L.

Thank you guys!!

 

[rishirs321]

Thank you MoFoYa!! As Rishis321 says, I think you need another better cube. I hope that your mail arrive soon and you enjoy your new cube!!!



Thanks MoFoYa!! Very useful that videos!! I'm going to add them to this week practice :tu

Is very difficult to me to find pairs quickly in F2L. One of the goals of practice this week is try to improve that.

For last layer, I still use beginners method. Next stage (in 2 or 3 weeks) will be about 4LLL. Now I want to focus in cross and intuitive F2L.

Thank you guys!!

Actually, I posted those videos, not MoFoYa.
Anyway, I'm glad that helped you. If you need any more help, feel free to ask!!!

 

[willi pilz]

I wish you good luck on the Journey.

 

[Ender]

New instructional materials added to my learning for this week

• Videos
  • English
    • Badmephisto: great job done with these videos and very well explained. Highly recommended. [Thanks Rishirs321 to recommen them]
    • Cross Boot Camp: Basics, tip and tricks to improve cross.
  • Spanish
    • Wan Minute: Tutorials about intuitive F2L and several tips and tricks. Very useful vids.
    • APdRF1: Fridrich method introduction and tips.
• Websites
  • The Cube School: videos, tutorials and exercises covering layer by layer solving. Very useful for beginners.

Actually, I posted those videos, not MoFoYa.
Anyway, I'm glad that helped you. If you need any more help, feel free to ask!!!

Ops! I'm sorry. I was writing in a hurry and made that mistake! Sorry again!

I wish you good luck on the Journey.

Thank you!! I'm hooked on speedcubing and I can't stop!!!

 

[b0ssGuy23]

I really like this idea! I wish I could've done something similar when I was starting out.


Good luck.

 

[Pragitya]

Hi everybody!!!

Declaration of intent:

I'm a beginner. I'm new to speedsolving. I'm the worst cuber in the world. But... now I'm the king of enthusiasm and I want to be a better cuber, improve my times and technique, and have fun in speedsolving!!

So I've decided to create a "diary" of my progression, doubts, problems and solutions I'm finding every day, or week, or whenever. I hope this thread will be useful for people like me who are starting in speedsolving and have tons of doubts, problems and questions.

I will update this thread daily, weekly or when I have things to comment, answer or improvements to archieve.

You are invited to participate!!!

Disclaimer

I'm sorry for my bad english. I'm from Spain and I am aware of the language barrier. Hope you understand me correctly.

Here we go!

• Cubes I have: Gans 356, Dayan GuHong, YJ Guanlong and Weilong
• My PB: 1:27:858 (with beginners method)
• Objetive: I'm starting to learn basic CFOP, especially Cross and intuitive F2L. Learn Fingertricks.
• This week: I have been practicing intuitive F2L and cross solving speed. Unfortunately my times went worse that with beginners method. More than I expected.
  
  
  
  
  
• Practice for next week: Improve my skills and try to improve my average times. Try to have less pauses and breaks and do everything more fluid and smooth.

Ender have you lubed your cube ??
If not that is fine ...
I just want you to do something ... Rate your cube in the aspects i ask .[i.e like corner cutting, speed etc]

Ratings :-
1/10 - The worst any cube can have in my opinion
2/10 - still worser than most cubes in my opinion
3/10 - Do not worry to see this meaning... It is worse than what i thought ..[Like atleast of the level of the original rubiks cube]
4/10 - Same as the Original Rubik's Cube [Which in not modded or lubricated]
5/10 - Like cubes which are a little bit better than rubiks cube
6/10 - like Rubik's Cube 2.0 [The new one]
7/10 - little better than Rubik's cube 2.0
8/10 - So much better that I actually like solving on it !
9/10 - The maker of this cube had done an excellent Job at making this cube !!!
10/10 - FORGET IT ! NO CUBE CAN BE RATED 10/10 SO JUST LEAVE THIS RATING ASIDE

Others can also do it with this rating if they like

 

[Ender]

Sorry Pragitya but I have several cubes and I'm learning to difference them. So I think it should be more useful for you to open a new thread and ask other experienced guys to rate their cubes.

May be in 2 or 3 months I will be able to help you and rate my cubes correctly.

Thanks!!

I really like this idea! I wish I could've done something similar when I was starting out.


Good luck.

Thank you!! This is a little big adventure!!

 

[Pragitya]

Sorry Pragitya but I have several cubes and I'm learning to difference them. So I think it should be more useful for you to open a new thread and ask other experienced guys to rate their cubes.

May be in 2 or 3 months I will be able to help you and rate my cubes correctly.

Thanks!!



Thank you!! This is a little big adventure!!

No Problem . Take your time.
Even i am not that fast :|.

My PB = 37.67 seconds only....

 

[rishirs321]

No Problem . Take your time.
Even i am not that fast :|.

My PB = 37.67 seconds only....

Pragitya, my PB is 32.xx seconds but I am slower than you. I say that because your times are consistent. My times fluctuate too much sometimes going to 50 seconds. Anyway, how many PLLs did you learn?

 

[shadowslice e]

Have you tried other methods? I would recommend you at least look at roux and ZZ if not SSC and PCMS.

 

[Pragitya]

Pragitya, my PB is 32.xx seconds but I am slower than you. I say that because your times are consistent. My times fluctuate too much sometimes going to 50 seconds. Anyway, how many PLLs did you learn?

I have learned 4 PLL algorithms and I am fluid with 2 of them during my solves..
I am concentrating more of the 2 look OLL. It is fluid I can do it without any stops but trying to improve it

 

[Ender]

Have you tried other methods? I would recommend you at least look at roux and ZZ if not SSC and PCMS.

No I haven't. I've heard of that methods (mainly Roux and ZZ) but I don't know if, for a beginner like me, is appropriate to mix several methods. May be I get myself in a mess...

Are they compatibles with CFOP?

 

[shadowslice e]

No I haven't. I've heard of that methods (mainly Roux and ZZ) but I don't know if, for a beginner like me, is appropriate to mix several methods. May be I get myself in a mess...

Are they compatibles with CFOP?

There are a lot of transferable skills for both though in general it is better not to combine them (though solving with each method at first and knowing the concepts is definately a good thing). It would just be good to try them out and see if you like the feel/style of the method over CFOP.

 

[Ender]

Friday morning and new time test! This week I had a lot of work and I could not practice...

• My new times:
  
  

  Generated By csTimer on 2016-3-11
  avg of 5: 2:04.41
  
  Time List:
  1. 2:02.84 R2 F2 R2 D2 R2 U2 B U2 B L2 B2 R' U R' B D2 L2 D L D R
  2. (2:39.05) F U' L2 U2 L2 B2 U' F2 D2 U' R2 U' L' U2 F' D B2 L' D' R' U
  3. 2:14.54 B' R D' L U' R' B' U F D2 F L2 F2 L2 B2 U2 B R2 D2 L'
  4. 1:55.83 U2 R D2 L' F2 U2 F2 R B2 L U2 F' L' D B2 F U L2 D' B2 F'
  5. (1:40.10) R' D L2 B2 U F2 R2 D' F2 U' F2 L R' U' F' L2 B D R' D2

• Brief conclusion of the week
  
  • My F2L sucks. I need to practice more and more.
  • I get really nervous when I put the timer on.
  • My avg of 5 has decreased:
    
    
    Last week: 2:26.37​
    Today: 2:04.41​
  • I have not improved my PB
• To Do:
  
  • Practice F2L this weekend.
  • Practice Cross this weekend.
  • I'm going to continue with current sessión until sunday to get an ao12.
  • New time test on sunday.
    
    

 

[Pragitya]

1.Ender better get used to the Finger tricks if you know them or learn them !!!
2.Learn intuitive F2L earlier than trying a better cross [ some people say advanced cross ...]
3. Hold the cube in inverted position while doing the cross [I.e keep the yellow cross on the top while doing the cross ] and be accurate enough that you will not have to Turn the cube to see if the cross is formed !!
4. Practice the Cross and intuitive F2L you can care about the 2 look OLL and 2 Look PLL later.. F2L and cross are very important steps !!

 

[kbrune]

I remember when I was using a beginner method with a Walmart cube. I got down to about 1:15-1:30. I challenged myself to be sub 1 minute so I learned cfop. Still with a Walmart cube. I had no idea that good cubes existed or competitions for that matter. I managed to get down to 45 seconds with a terrible cube.

Things I wish I knew when I started.

- be colour neutral. Don't pick a colour. This may delay progress a little. But now I'm too entrenched on white cross that I can't recognize any other colours quickly.

- don't time yourself regularly until you're well below one minute. Bad habits form when you try to go too fast in the beginning. Trust me. It's very difficult to break habits. Like being colour neutral. May as well start off right.

- force yourself to Use both left and right hands to perform U2. I regret only being able to use my right hand. This goes for all finger tricks. Learn as many as you can. Watch videos and try to see the many ways they turn faces. And try their techniques.

This is all I can think of atm.

Good luck on you road to speed!

 

[Ender]

1.Ender better get used to the Finger tricks if you know them or learn them !!!
2.Learn intuitive F2L earlier than trying a better cross [ some people say advanced cross ...]
3. Hold the cube in inverted position while doing the cross [I.e keep the yellow cross on the top while doing the cross ] and be accurate enough that you will not have to Turn the cube to see if the cross is formed !!
4. Practice the Cross and intuitive F2L you can care about the 2 look OLL and 2 Look PLL later.. F2L and cross are very important steps !!

Thank you Pragitya!! I train my Fingertricks every day but I'm still too slow. As you advised me, I'm focussing about intuitive F2L and cross.
Thanks m8!

I remember when I was using a beginner method with a Walmart cube. I got down to about 1:15-1:30. I challenged myself to be sub 1 minute so I learned cfop. Still with a Walmart cube. I had no idea that good cubes existed or competitions for that matter. I managed to get down to 45 seconds with a terrible cube.

Things I wish I knew when I started.

- be colour neutral. Don't pick a colour. This may delay progress a little. But now I'm too entrenched on white cross that I can't recognize any other colours quickly.

- don't time yourself regularly until you're well below one minute. Bad habits form when you try to go too fast in the beginning. Trust me. It's very difficult to break habits. Like being colour neutral. May as well start off right.

- force yourself to Use both left and right hands to perform U2. I regret only being able to use my right hand. This goes for all finger tricks. Learn as many as you can. Watch videos and try to see the many ways they turn faces. And try their techniques.

This is all I can think of atm.

Good luck on you road to speed!

Thanks Kbrune!! Your advices are very appreciated. :tu
I only time myself on friday and sunday. Rest of the week I'm trying to train and resolve the cube slowly and focus my attention in my movements. Especially in F2L movements.

Thanks again!!