CubeLord
Banned
I want to know about how to do a good speedcubing session that will last about an hour. I am asking that all of you expert cubers put up your session routines.
Practice Sessions?
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waffle=ijm
Waffo
I don't practice. 
I'd like to know how best to practice it too I guess, but *shrug*.. my current plan is to just solve over and over like I've been doing, just with what I've learned earlier today here..
While trying to pick up the LL stuff I just went over, here..
But I feel ya, like the piano finger exercises n stuff?
While trying to pick up the LL stuff I just went over, here..
But I feel ya, like the piano finger exercises n stuff?
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EE-Cuber
Regular
There are two ways I practice and I alternate depending on how I feel.
Way #1)
I get a whole bunch of cubes (lets say 10). I scramble them all, then I practice solving cross on each one effectively (which means take longer inspection time if needed) Then I do slow intuitive F2L. Taking my time and focusing on the best way to solve pairs. Then I do LL similarly focusing more on recognizing OLL & PLL by looking at as little of the cube as possible (like 2 side for PLL) and I scrutinize my algorithms all the time to see if they are the best for me (I hate B moves etc. so I may want to change them occasionally)
Way #2)
I use the same 10 cubes but this time solve the cube continuously starting out slow and slowing increasing my speed until my lookahead starts to suffer.
Repeat #1 & #2 until I get bored of it..
Way #1)
I get a whole bunch of cubes (lets say 10). I scramble them all, then I practice solving cross on each one effectively (which means take longer inspection time if needed) Then I do slow intuitive F2L. Taking my time and focusing on the best way to solve pairs. Then I do LL similarly focusing more on recognizing OLL & PLL by looking at as little of the cube as possible (like 2 side for PLL) and I scrutinize my algorithms all the time to see if they are the best for me (I hate B moves etc. so I may want to change them occasionally)
Way #2)
I use the same 10 cubes but this time solve the cube continuously starting out slow and slowing increasing my speed until my lookahead starts to suffer.
Repeat #1 & #2 until I get bored of it..
csdoplr
Regular
repition repition repition
enigmahack
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repetition? lol
I think for me, slow solves are where it's at. The reason most people are slow isn't because of physical ability - It's all about look ahead and choice of algorithm/execution.
So for me, it's go slow during Cross/F2L and go fast during OLL/PLL.
Practice that way - Mix up your cube, and when you solve it, purposely try and go smoothly during the F2L. (Like you're emulating a super-fast speed solver going in slow motion)
For OLL and PLL - Work on Recognition (like mentioned, looking at only 2 sides and trying to know which OLL or PLL it is) and then from an execution standpoint, practicing it quickly.
If you lock up or have issues, start slow. Anyone who's played a performance instrument like piano knows that execution is half the battle... The mental part is the other half. But doing it slowly makes going faster easier... Sounds counter-intuitive I know.
Same way Singers will help increase their upper range by stretching their lower range.
Anyway - My routine for an hour would be 5 minutes of warm-up. Don't time solves, just solve as fast as you can, get your hands and cube ready.
Then I'd sloooooow down, still not timing anything. Work on the mental part, maybe 20 minutes or so of just super slow solving. Depending on your speed, if you solve the cube in under 60 seconds, then it gives you rougly 18-20 slow solves.
Then I'd spend the rest of the time slowly speeding up, like mentioned by EE-Cuber. As you get faster and faster, notice the speed that you lose your lookahead and STOP there. *Don't stop solving, but stop at that speed* and practice that speed.
Over time, you'll get better at recognition at that speed, and you can slowly speed up.
The idea overall though is that you never solve faster than your brain can handle. It's like trying to play a run faster than you can hear the notes on a musical instrument. You have to articulate: Every. Single. Step.
When you get faster, it just makes more sense... eventually you'll get to a point where you can almost go full out during F2L or whatever your method is, and you'll be solving in no time
I think for me, slow solves are where it's at. The reason most people are slow isn't because of physical ability - It's all about look ahead and choice of algorithm/execution.
So for me, it's go slow during Cross/F2L and go fast during OLL/PLL.
Practice that way - Mix up your cube, and when you solve it, purposely try and go smoothly during the F2L. (Like you're emulating a super-fast speed solver going in slow motion)
For OLL and PLL - Work on Recognition (like mentioned, looking at only 2 sides and trying to know which OLL or PLL it is) and then from an execution standpoint, practicing it quickly.
If you lock up or have issues, start slow. Anyone who's played a performance instrument like piano knows that execution is half the battle... The mental part is the other half. But doing it slowly makes going faster easier... Sounds counter-intuitive I know.
Same way Singers will help increase their upper range by stretching their lower range.
Anyway - My routine for an hour would be 5 minutes of warm-up. Don't time solves, just solve as fast as you can, get your hands and cube ready.
Then I'd sloooooow down, still not timing anything. Work on the mental part, maybe 20 minutes or so of just super slow solving. Depending on your speed, if you solve the cube in under 60 seconds, then it gives you rougly 18-20 slow solves.
Then I'd spend the rest of the time slowly speeding up, like mentioned by EE-Cuber. As you get faster and faster, notice the speed that you lose your lookahead and STOP there. *Don't stop solving, but stop at that speed* and practice that speed.
Over time, you'll get better at recognition at that speed, and you can slowly speed up.
The idea overall though is that you never solve faster than your brain can handle. It's like trying to play a run faster than you can hear the notes on a musical instrument. You have to articulate: Every. Single. Step.
When you get faster, it just makes more sense... eventually you'll get to a point where you can almost go full out during F2L or whatever your method is, and you'll be solving in no time
Thanks guys. I like it.
...even though I only recently realized this post is in the 'expert' section, and I'm nowhere near that... I think these replies will still help. Never thought about actually going slow on purpose to get the flow good.
...even though I only recently realized this post is in the 'expert' section, and I'm nowhere near that... I think these replies will still help. Never thought about actually going slow on purpose to get the flow good.
JTW2007
BattsMan
Repetition of the incorrect leads to... flaming. You have been warned.
I just do solves. Nothing fancy.
Don't worry, much less advanced topics are posted in this forum. I expected expert village to contain less than ten threads total for a very long time. Not so.
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Lt-UnReaL
Veteran
Analyze every single move you make and think of faster ways to do things.
puzzlemaster
Veteran
lol...i just do an average of 5 on each puzzle everyday... except for 2x2 considering that's what i'm concentrating on right now.. for 2x2 i do like 5 averages of 12 a day and am constantly messing around with it.
JLarsen
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Yeah I mostly just solve nowadays. I'll slow solve when my progress with just solving goes away. But when I have the time, and I'm having a decent day (if I'm doing bad I don't cube much that day as it's usually correlated directly with my energy levels), here is mine:
5x5 Average of 5-12
As many 7x7 solves as I can stand to do in a row before I'm tired.(like 4 or 5)
3x3 average of 12, maybe 2 if I feel
Do more if I feel like it, maybe solve my 6x6 a bit.
For example of a day I'm doing bad, today. I've done maybe 10 3x3 solves trying to see if I could warm up, I saw no result. I went up to 5x5 and got a 2:18 (I normally average just over 2 min), and I quit at that. I'll cube tomorrow, I'm tired.
5x5 Average of 5-12
As many 7x7 solves as I can stand to do in a row before I'm tired.(like 4 or 5)
3x3 average of 12, maybe 2 if I feel
Do more if I feel like it, maybe solve my 6x6 a bit.
For example of a day I'm doing bad, today. I've done maybe 10 3x3 solves trying to see if I could warm up, I saw no result. I went up to 5x5 and got a 2:18 (I normally average just over 2 min), and I quit at that. I'll cube tomorrow, I'm tired.
cubekid57
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For me, I get my best 3x3 cube and do around 20-30 warmup solves and then do an average of 12. Then I do a slow and steady avg of 10. after that I practice one handed and do a 2x2 av of 12 for fun.
piemaster
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Learn a CMLL and get it under 3 seconds....-20 minutes
Practice blockbuilding..............................-30 minutes
Do practice solves..................................-10 minutes
Try to break PB single.............................-20 minutes
No, I'm not that organized, but it would be a possible practice schedule for me.
Practice blockbuilding..............................-30 minutes
Do practice solves..................................-10 minutes
Try to break PB single.............................-20 minutes
No, I'm not that organized, but it would be a possible practice schedule for me.
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CuBeOrDiE
Veteran
I'm not really an expert(currently average 25-26 seconds), but here's what I've got to say...
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so practice whatever you suck at most. And a slow few solves wouldn't hurt, either.
Hoped that helped
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so practice whatever you suck at most. And a slow few solves wouldn't hurt, either.
Hoped that helped
JLarsen
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I'm not really an expert(currently average 25-26 seconds), but here's what I've got to say...
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so practice whatever you suck at most. And a slow few solves wouldn't hurt, either.
Hoped that helped
Or you can say @#$% you to certain parts of the chain, as I do.
I never do 2x2, 4x4, and I barely do 6x6.
miniGOINGS
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Good to see that blockbuilding is more time than your CMLL. Most people wouldn't do it like that.
puzzlemaster
Veteran
I don't see a need to bump this thread lol.
CharlieCooper
Premium Member
i never practise.
except...
before a competition i will focus on one puzzle in particular and practise that one like crazy, maybe 1-200 solves in the day, although obviously not on a 7x7. i do this for the week leading up to the competition.
for pyraminx at the moment i am doing around 3 or 4 averages of 100 a day to warm up well for the world championships. it kind of sucks when you practise hard and see few results, but fortunately i've been doing well with pyraminx.
i've also got a bet with lars who can improve most at pyraminx (for him) and square-1 (for me). winner gets a beer from the other in dusseldorf!
i hate practising 3x3 actually. i solve it when i'm out and about. fortunately my boyfriend is also into cubes and when we're out we take cubes and solve in pubs and bars or whatever. sometimes we race when we're at home - at the moment i'm doing two 3x3s, pyraminx and a 2x2 for his one 3x3. i don't time myself for puzzles either, except for the weekly competition sometimes.
except...
before a competition i will focus on one puzzle in particular and practise that one like crazy, maybe 1-200 solves in the day, although obviously not on a 7x7. i do this for the week leading up to the competition.
for pyraminx at the moment i am doing around 3 or 4 averages of 100 a day to warm up well for the world championships. it kind of sucks when you practise hard and see few results, but fortunately i've been doing well with pyraminx.
i've also got a bet with lars who can improve most at pyraminx (for him) and square-1 (for me). winner gets a beer from the other in dusseldorf!
i hate practising 3x3 actually. i solve it when i'm out and about. fortunately my boyfriend is also into cubes and when we're out we take cubes and solve in pubs and bars or whatever. sometimes we race when we're at home - at the moment i'm doing two 3x3s, pyraminx and a 2x2 for his one 3x3. i don't time myself for puzzles either, except for the weekly competition sometimes.
miniGOINGS
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Wow, sorry, I didn't think it was this old. It was from the search function I think, so I didn't stop to check the date.
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