[Help Thread] Lookahead just won't stick!

[JaredRB9000]

So basically I made it to averaging around 25 w/o lookahead, and I feel like that wasn't the best plan. I've tried several times to learn lookahead, but it just doesn't stick. I know it helps too, as it's how I got my only 4 sub-20 singles. My Cross+F2L averages about 15-20 seconds, and it's really hurting my times. Any suggestions? I've already looked this up, so please don't just give me the typical "use the search bar!" response for stuff like this. I've practiced for hours on end and it just doesn't click. This has me EXTREMELY frustrated and is absolutely the thing that is holding me back the most. I know I can get it to happen, but I'm losing confidence in that. Any ideas?

 

[turtwig]

I don't think you 'learn' lookahead, but there are many ways to improve it:

1) Learn how to solve F2L pairs blindfolded.
2) After this, you can try tracking F2L pairs while solving other ones. Don't look at the one you're solving but the one you're going to solve next so you don't pause between pairs.
3) Do slow solves so you can track future pairs easily, than slowly increase the speed of your slow solves while making sure that you can still track future pairs and solve without pausing.

 

[JaredRB9000]

I don't think you 'learn' lookahead, but there are many ways to improve it:

1) Learn how to solve F2L pairs blindfolded.
2) After this, you can try tracking F2L pairs while solving other ones. Don't look at the one you're solving but the one you're going to solve next so you don't pause between pairs.
3) Do slow solves so you can track future pairs easily, than slowly increase the speed of your slow solves while making sure that you can still track future pairs and solve without pausing.

I know all this stuff. It's just that if I'm not actively thinking about it, I just don't do it. Even when I am, I do things like not finish the pair I'm doing before moving on (cause I'm looking at the next one) or do a wrong move and screw up the whole thing.

 

[scottishcuber]

I think you need to have more patience as its not something you can just switch on - it usually develops very sowly. If you are still in the stage where you're actively thinking in order to 'lookahead' then you have a long way to go (although it is good that you're pushing yourself, and if you continue doing that then it will become more natural).

Considering your current level I would advise that you focus on not looking at the pieces you are solving (as mentioned above) and don't really worry about much else.

Other things to think about that can help:
- 'instant recognition' develops long before 'lookahead'
- solving f2l cases in the back as often as you can, it gives you more visibility for the rest of the pairs and the slots
- solving cases from multiple angles
- an idea of edge orientation to see if you need to rotate, use some F moves to influence the pair, or just solve it 2gen (RU/LU)

And a little heads up: I didnt improve lookahead much until I was a fair bit faster than you are now, so dont worry too much and understand that other aspects of your solving can be massively improved without big leaps in lookahead ability. Try not to get too frustrated.

 

[JaredRB9000]

I think you need to have more patience as its not something you can just switch on - it usually develops very sowly. If you are still in the stage where you're actively thinking in order to 'lookahead' then you have a long way to go (although it is good that you're pushing yourself, and if you continue doing that then it will become more natural).

Considering your current level I would advise that you focus on not looking at the pieces you are solving (as mentioned above) and don't really worry about much else.

Other things to think about that can help:
- 'instant recognition' develops long before 'lookahead'
- solving f2l cases in the back as often as you can, it gives you more visibility for the rest of the pairs and the slots
- solving cases from multiple angles
- an idea of edge orientation to see if you need to rotate, use some F moves to influence the pair, or just solve it 2gen (RU/LU)

And a little heads up: I didnt improve lookahead much until I was a fair bit faster than you are now, so dont worry too much and understand that other aspects of your solving can be massively improved without big leaps in lookahead ability. Try not to get too frustrated.

So, would it be OK to wait a little and learn something else, like (the rest of) OLL first?

 

[scottishcuber]

So, would it be OK to wait a little and learn something else, like (the rest of) OLL first?

yeah, I would recommend that