How do I get better at the half cross + centers in 4x4?

[Deleted member 54663]

I would look at the 4x4 thread if its there, but in this case, my centers feel very inefficient. I average 1:40, with a meilong w/ 4 brackets missing. My cross takes a lot of time, along with the last 4 centers. My first 2 centers can be done in 5 seconds, and my edge pairing is ok, but these 2 steps are bothering me. How do I get better?

 

[xyzzy]

meilong w/ 4 brackets missing

What?

Anyway, try to consciously look ahead to the cross edges when you do the last few moves of F2C. For example, if you're doing white and yellow for F2C, scan for white/yellow edge pieces while doing the r U2 r', l' U2 l, u' R2 u or whatever when inserting the last centre bar. Once you've chosen the cross colour (not relevant if you're fixed-cross), try to remember as many of the cross edge pieces as you can.

(I can't give advice on Yau L4C because I'm trash at that.)