[Help Thread] Advice and Tips for Competitions

[StachuK1992]

but...but...but...
http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=e...competition&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

 

[HASH-CUBE]

just be cool nothing to worry about, be normal, don't be super speed at solving, and don't be super slow, just be you

and btw , there are some threads in the forum about what to do at the competitions

 

[Zaxef]

The first 3 results are my thread lol
My first competition was a few days ago.. Just lube your cubes the night before, do an average of each, and leave it at that.. Don't try to learn anything new 1 or 2 days before the competition, practice what you do already know..

People at the competition will let you know what to do and stuff, it's not too hard to keep up.. I was fine

 

[Rubiks_Lizard]

try to focas on ur strenght my avg 3x3 is 25-30 and my magic is 1.30 so i just focased on magic and got first place in my first compitition CT summer open

 

[liljthedude]

Advice please?
I am going to LA Open on August 22nd and want to know if there is anything I can use to help me?
Like, how many solves should I do the day before/ day of competition?
Should I lube cube day before?
And just any other tips I should know.
Thanks and I hope to see many of you at LA Open!!

Watch this..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-dFP0qhDI

 

[andrewunz1]

Advice and tips for competitions?

The US Nationals will be my 1st competition.
Can anyone give me some advice not to get nervous and get an epic fail solve

 

[cubedude456]

Yes don't sweat it it's nothing to be worried about it's just like cubing for regular people

 

[cubedude456]

also don't cram in alot of algorithims befor the the competition otherwise you will get a bad time

 

[cubedude456]

no i can't afford it

 

[andrewunz1]

Thanks for the advice

 

[qqwref]

:fp at cubedude456's triple post

My advice: don't worry about it, because unless you are one of the best people there (I'm assuming you're not) people won't be watching your solve anyway. It's no different from doing a solve on a StackMat at home. If you're still nervous before the solve, make sure to take a few deep breaths to calm down. Sitting also helps because then you won't feel unstable on your feet.

If you're not used to the StackMat timer, try to find one to practice on before you go up for your first solve. Similarly, make sure you understand the rules (for instance, you have to start with your fingers and drop the cube before you stop the timer) because otherwise you might get penalties or even have a solve or two disqualified.

 

[andrewunz1]

thanks qqwref
I already got a stackmat timer
I'm just nervous because i don't know any cubers

 

[Kolraz]

Just a quick one from my experience.

Make absolute sure the Stackmat lights go to green before you start solving. I'm sure it was just nerves, but I let go too early once during qualifying round of UK Open and then again in the Head to Head event, resulting in some silly DNFs that should have been avoided.

Good luck and have fun =)

 

[*LukeMayn*]

Defiantly make the most of the moment, like have dinner afterwards and have meet-ups. I absolutely loved the NZ comp and it was one of the most enjoyable time of my life.

 

[enigmahack]

I'm just nervous because i don't know any cubers

Hey - I went to my first comp in the summer in Toronto, Ont - it was pretty cool.

First thing to know though: It's all in your head. Really, you're not competing against anyone, it's more about competing against yourself. I mean, you're not starting your timer at the same time as anyone else, you're not racing anyone directly... It's not quite like that.

You basically have 5 attempts to go as fast as you can "by yourself"

You should have a good idea of how the process goes (Like when they call 8 seconds during inspection), little things like that. Make sure you practice stopping the timer with the bottom of your hands, not the sides, etc.

Basically, just go in and do your thing.

Something that really helps is to try and cube in front of a group of people - it really puts a similar pressure on you.

When I went though, I only felt pressure on the very first solve (Which was the 2x2 event, so I know I wasn't going to do super well, but it was good practice)

If your main event is the 3x3, try the other events anyway, it's good practice.

About not knowing people... I had a pretty rough time when I went, but mostly because I'm older than most of the kids that went. Most of them were still in high school, middle school or even younger.

I'm already graduated, finished college and I'm actually a trainer for a large company... I felt really awkward there because it would seem really odd for me to try and just start a conversation with someone that's 10 years younger than I am. (At least that was my perception)

And then other little things happened too which I wasn't too fond of, but that's not really worth mentioning here.

Anyway, the overall thing though: You don't need to know people... If you just go and do your thing, I'm pretty sure someone will come up to you. The other thing is you can try and find someone around your speed and ask them if they want to race. It's pretty harmless and it's good fun/practice there, and a good ice breaker to start talking to someone too.

I do have to say, that for the most part, cubers seem to be the nicest people I've talked to. Obviously there are always exceptions, but it seems like a pretty tight community.

I will give you a piece of advice: Don't try and talk to a cuber while they're in the middle of a solve. (I don't mean an official solve, but if they're just sitting at a table, or whatever) It can be seen as rude, but it's also awkward to try and talk to someone who doesn't seem interested in talking back. Wait until they're scrambling or not cubing for a minute lol

But if nothing else, just go and have fun - that's what it's really all about.

Besides, if you're going to the big comp, there'll surely be TONNES of people there... I wouldn't worry about it. Bring someone along with you though if you're that worried... Like a friend that you can talk to.

 

[Muesli]

Competition specific tips and tricks.

I'm (fingers crossed) going to be attending the UK open on the 7th November this year. As this is my first ever cubing event I was wondering what I can do to prepare myself and my cube for the event. Anything really.

I'm interested as to what you pros do pre-comp.

 

[cmhardw]

Don't try to control your nerves, and don't try to stop being nervous. I still get nervous at competitions I attend. Simply use that extra adrenaline/heightened focus/whatever you want to call it to your advantage.

Always remember that if a solve or a round doesn't go as well as you had hoped, there will always be other competitions.

Most importantly, and this I would even venture to say is just as if not more important than the competition itself, remember to have fun!

Chris

 

[trying-to-speedcube...]

ALWAYS WAKE UP AT 7:08!!!!!

 

[(X)]

Use a stabile cube
Practise starting steps and inspection

 

[cubeninjaIV]

make yourself comfortable in the competition setting, make some friends don't just cube in a corner