OH Help.

SpeakCuba

Veteran
Joined
Mar 22, 2023
Messages
1,354
Location
Somewhere in time
So, I’ve been semi-interested into one hand solving (3x3). Everything goes fine-ish until last layer, as that’s when you have to do “real” algs. Problem is I have to think a lot in order to execute them one-handed, and always mess them up. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to help out? My idea was to write the algs down on a sheet of paper, and then eventually get muscle memory from doing them one handed… any advice is always appreciated!
 
Learn different algs for one handed than 2 handed. (If the alg isn't good e.g. if you use M move uperms for 2 handed, you should learn RU move one for OH.
The OH algs are better though thanks to table abuse.
So, I’ve been semi-interested into one hand solving (3x3). Everything goes fine-ish until last layer, as that’s when you have to do “real” algs. Problem is I have to think a lot in order to execute them one-handed, and always mess them up. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to help out? My idea was to write the algs down on a sheet of paper, and then eventually get muscle memory from doing them one handed… any advice is always appreciated!
It literally just comes down to practicing doing the algs OH. There are algs for OH specifically that can help, but most 2H algs are fine until you really want to push your speed.
 
Learn different algs for one handed than 2 handed. (If the alg isn't good e.g. if you use M move uperms for 2 handed, you should learn RU move one for OH.
I use the RU anyway, M (Not M’) moves are too difficult for me to execute regularly.

My main problem is that I have to think of the alg while executing it, therefore I mess it up.
 
The rest is just practising to relearn the algs one handed.

I've changed to new algs for all with M moves and Lw moves. For the others I've kept most of them but had to relearn them.
And somtetimes I still mess up the one or another, especially for some Full OLL cases.
 
Break your algs up into groupings with setups and triggers. The sequence of groupings will be easier to remember.

eg. OLL 16 ... (r U r') (R U R' U') (r U' r')

Wide R U R' ... sexy ... Wide R U' R'

Also a good idea to look at alternate algs that are 2-gen. Some many be longer but will be quicker to execute.
 
Last edited:
I use the RU anyway, M (Not M’) moves are too difficult for me to execute regularly.

My main problem is that I have to think of the alg while executing it, therefore I mess it up.
I had the same issue of thinking of the alg for a long time, but tbh, it just comes down to a ton of practice. I literally have algths plastered on my wall from when I was learning them a few months back lol
 
@SpeakCuba, I have no idea what your OH ability is or what algs you struggle with most but here we go anyway - I'm sub-29 OH and sub-21 3x3 (best ao1000s) so as far as that ratio goes, I think it's decent since OH is one of my main events (along with 3bld). Make what you will of my advice (other than "practise OH more than you practise 3x3"):

The most important thing in my view is to "hear" your algs, i.e., as per this video from Antoine Cantin:


It seems like a joke video at first, but I've actually always done that unironically both for 3x3 as well as OH algs (before I came across that video). Even for some 3-Style algs, I find it useful despite the "intuitive" nature of 3-Style.

Most of my OH algs are the same as for 3x3, but over time I very gradually replace them with the better OH versions for ones I find particularly cumbersome (e.g., V perm, F perm, Ub perm, Y perm, E perm along with some OLLs). I don't believe using OH algs should be a priority from the start but of course, this depends on what your bottlenecks actually are. At some point I might work on OH G perms next because they feel like my slowest right now.

Chunking the algs obviously helps, just like you would for learning 3x3 algs. It also helps if you're able to remember the notation for the first few moves. For example, everyone knows sune starts with R U R' U - so that's enough to get you going. For Ua perm, you should know off the top your head it starts with R U' followed by a familiar 4-move trigger, and then away you go. For G perms (if just using the 3x3 RUD-gen algs), know when to do R2 and when to do what I call the "sandwich" turns (U' & D at the same time, etc).

As for practising: you know your 3x3 algs, so you should always be able to set up cases to practise OH. Don't leave solved cubes on your desk - instead, always set up a case for you to review later. Right now, I've been having trouble again with Ga perm after a bit of a break from OH, so I'm going to focus on it a bit more by setting it up with Gb perm and purposefully reviewing it a couple of times a day and gradually once every few days, etc. Some of the H case COLLs are annoying mainly due to how infrequently I see them, so that's another thing I just need to review more regularly and attach notation reminders to.

With table abuse, I know the correct method is to rest the cube on the RD edge, however, I instead just use the FR edge since I'm only CFOPing anyway - I don't think anyone else does this, but it seems to work well enough for me with Z perms and H perms.

Listen to your algs!
 
Back
Top