Stuck around 90s average

icmp4

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Feb 14, 2010
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Hello. I've been at this level for months now, I get 80-90s on pretty much every solve. My best time is 56 seconds in quite a lucky solve.

I can solve F2L intuitively, though I still find it slightly faster to do it LBL.

I then put in the LLO of the cross, LLO of the corners, LLP of corners to get headlights all round, LLP of edges.
Four different algorithms, each used 1 to 3 times.

Ask me for details if you need them. Later I'll test how long each part takes me.

Any suggestions how to get to average sub 60s from here?
 
Learn 4-look last layer. Same four steps as you're used to, but each step is done in one algorithm rather than a few. It's about 15 algorithms to learn, but you will be surprised at how much time it saves.

I recommend that you stick with intuitive F2L, but try to look at how many moves each F2L pair takes to solve. Almost all cases can be done in 7 or so moves (or better), and almost all cases can be done by turning only 2 faces, typically R and U; if you're not doing that, it can be helpful to look at lists of algorithms for F2L, not to memorize them but to understand better solutions for each pair.
 
When I started back in December I was in the 2:00 to 1:30 range. I learned intuitive F2L and 2-Look OLL/PLL and quickly dropped down to under a minute, I would recommend the same if you haven't done so already. Make sure you learn "relative" cross, essentially, this is solving the cross from an position then correcting at the end (reference Badmephisto's advanced cross video in addition to his 2-Look OLL/PLL and F2L videos). Of course, practice is the best advice, make sure you take notes on every aspect of your cubing. Otherwise, you will solve over and over with little progress. As Carson said, post up a video and the fast people here will provide input.
 
As mentioned by Chris140: Badmephisto

Check out the Badmephisto website and youtube channel for info on 2-Look OLL/PLL and intuitive F2L.

I think you will gain a lot from the 2-Look OLL/PLL since you are using a limlited set of algo's that you have to repeat (too) many times).
 
Make sure you are always learning something.
The more you learn the better you are. Doesnt have to be algs, but more efficient ways to handle cases etc.
 
Learn 4-look last layer. Same four steps as you're used to, but each step is done in one algorithm rather than a few. It's about 15 algorithms to learn, but you will be surprised at how much time it saves.

I recommend that you stick with intuitive F2L, but try to look at how many moves each F2L pair takes to solve. Almost all cases can be done in 7 or so moves (or better), and almost all cases can be done by turning only 2 faces, typically R and U; if you're not doing that, it can be helpful to look at lists of algorithms for F2L, not to memorize them but to understand better solutions for each pair.

I'll have a look at 4-look LL stuff, thanks. Yea I make myself do intuitive F2L for the vast majority of my solves. I'll think about how I'm actually solving them. I know already but I mean I'll think about how to express it you guys.


i had been the same level like u before. Stupid 90s avg. But maybe u should try may attachment. MY avg is much better just after 3 weeks pratising!!!

Thanks, I'll have a look

If you have the capability to record/post a video of you performing a solve, it would make it much easier to "see" what is making your solves slow.

I'll try to do that, I do have a camera.

When I started back in December I was in the 2:00 to 1:30 range. I learned intuitive F2L and 2-Look OLL/PLL and quickly dropped down to under a minute, I would recommend the same if you haven't done so already. Make sure you learn "relative" cross, essentially, this is solving the cross from an position then correcting at the end (reference Badmephisto's advanced cross video in addition to his 2-Look OLL/PLL and F2L videos). Of course, practice is the best advice, make sure you take notes on every aspect of your cubing. Otherwise, you will solve over and over with little progress. As Carson said, post up a video and the fast people here will provide input.

Yea I assume I do relative cross. As in, I know the positions of the faces relative to each other and then once the cross is in, I rotate the first layer to line it up with the centre pieces of the second layer.

As mentioned by Chris140: Badmephisto

Check out the Badmephisto website and youtube channel for info on 2-Look OLL/PLL and intuitive F2L.

I think you will gain a lot from the 2-Look OLL/PLL since you are using a limlited set of algo's that you have to repeat (too) many times).

I think Badmephisto was the guy whose vids I used when I first learnt some algs, so yea I like his style. I'll have a look.

Make sure you are always learning something.
The more you learn the better you are. Doesnt have to be algs, but more efficient ways to handle cases etc.

Indeed
 
Yeah, I am not too fast at beginner method either. I can average around 30 seconds with 3-look LL, but if I try beginner method I'm probably around 1:10. Ditch it and go with f2l and 4-look. Start trying to do your cross on bottom also. It was much easier for me.
 
You're not alone, pal.
I am exactly going through the same phase as you! :(

My last 7 results from Cubetimer.com:

7: 01:08.02 x
6: 01:06.32 x
5: 01:26.91 x (like WTF? from 6 to 26)
4: 01:31.97 x
3: 01:02.50 x (again... from 31 to 2)
2: 01:09.33 x
1: 01:23.81 x

Really weird times as you can see.

My best solve is 59.20 which I achieved 18 days ago, and it was a rather lucky solve too. That is my one and only sub 1 min, no matter how much I try, I can never get below 1 minute again. Needless to say the 01:02.50 solve p'ed me off pretty much.

I also can do intuitive F2L but I also find it still slightly faster to do it the LBL way. It's as if I can't leave LBL lol, i keep sticking with it. :fp

I'll watch this thread closely for sure!
 
You're not alone, pal.

I also can do intuitive F2L but I also find it still slightly faster to do it the LBL way. It's as if I can't leave LBL lol, i keep sticking with it. :fp

And that's why your intuitive F2L is slower ;)
Stick with intuitive F2L; your times will get worse for a certain time but you will be much better off in the long run.
 
Of course...practice helps! I recently learned full PLL however, I have been too busy to practice and my times reflect it. Your F2L will improve as you learn how to solve various cases and develop your look-ahead. Again, study your solves and if you find yourself using a lot of moves to solve a particular case, look at the wiki or review some F2L algorithms. Don't worry about learning the algorithm, study the movements and work on implementing them into your solves.

Before you know it, your times will improve!
 
The "beginners method" of solving the middle layer edges are basically just a subset of f2l. That is, if you look at a list of f2l cases, you will find the beginner's method cases in there.
What this means, is that if you can do those particular cases quickly, it's simply because you have practiced those cases more than other f2l cases, so you recognize them quicker. Practice all the f2l cases, and they will all become just as fast, eventually.

Also, try to make sure you understand how each f2l case is working. When I was first learning f2l, it was pretty confusing for me, and I would often spend a lot of time moving stuff around before I recognized how to pair up some pieces and insert them. Look for your pairs on the cube, and without moving anything, see if you can work out logically what you need to do. I don't mean to plan out all the moves in your head, but just think through it and get the general idea of what you have to do.
 
stick with intuitive f2l it will get faster

Ok, I never really said anything about 'intuitive' F2L, but I must say I really oppose telling every n00b that intuitive F2L is the way to go. I don't think it's true, and I think it will slow some ppl down. I think it gives the wrong impression, and for some people who 'get it', it might turn out all right, but some people might also be slowed down by the idea that they have to do it intuitively. I am afraid that for some people, each F2L pair will be done in 2 separate steps (in the mind), and they won't practice each pair until the solution becomes one fluent motion.
 
in my opinion learning algs for f2l and learning how they work is better than intuitive f2l, just like Joël said, for alot of people every pair is done in 2 "steps" which ofcourse is bad.

learn algs and use them intuitively if you know what i mean
 
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