This thread will provide as a little tutorial for people who are stuck and want to get faster. Please read this thread and do some forum searching prior to asking questions about getting faster. First off, the most important factor is practice. Regardless of how many algorithms you cram or optimize, it really boils down to practice. A sub 20 second average can be achieved using a basic beginners method, however, it takes practice. More algorithms are useful to help with your understanding of the cube, and very importantly, your recognition, but these will not get you nearly as far as practice will get you. In spite of this, which is the best way to go about getting those times down, apart from practice alone? Here are some basic, set out steps to follow to help you on your way (note this is only a guideline to help you). You do not have to follow these steps, as this is only to guide you.
Here's a video of one of the top cubers, Erik Akkersdijk, getting a sub 20 average only using the beginner's method.
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 1:30+ or don't know how to solve
Goal Average: 1:00-1:19
Use Leyan’s Beginners Method, or Badmephisto's Youtube Video Tutorial.
You could also achieve sub-1 min with these methods
If you are still stuck, follow these tips:
-Try to reduce Pauses.
-Sand, Break in, and Lubricate Your Cube (In that order).
-Decrease Last layer times.
-Use Finger Tricks
-Practice!!!
You can decrease Last Layer times by improving your recognition for each case.
-Make sure you solve the cross on the bottom. It will help you later. For now, try to get a cross in an average of less than 10 seconds on the Bottom of the cube. Here are some links which will help you:
http://www.cubefreak.net/cross.html
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/cross/cross
Note: You can also do inserting from different angles See Macky's take: http://cubefreak.net/easy_fast.html
-Use a timer to see your progression : www.cubetimer.com if you want the timers like the "pros" use check bottom of post.
Estimation Time: 3 Weeks
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 1:00-1:19
Goal Average: 40 - 50 seconds
Once you acheive these times;
-I strongly suggest you learn 4 look last layer. (Links to where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post.)
-DO NOT learn F2L yet.
Edge Orientation - 2 algorithms
Corner Orientation - 7 algorithms
Edge Permutation - 4 algorithms - Ua, Ub, Zb, H
Corner Permutation - 3 Algorithms Aa, Ab, E
Estimation Time: 3 weeks - 1.5 months
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 40-55 seconds
Goal Average: 30-40 seconds
-Now learn intuitive First Two Layers (F2L).
-Your times will temporarily get worse, but after a few days of practicing, they will become better greatly!
-Practice your F2L, and never give up!
-If you even think about giving up just take a break and come back to watch the video again. Theres are other F2l tutorials and will be listed on bottom.
Estimation Time: 2 Weeks
Fridrich Method:
Current Average:30-40 seconds
Goal Average:20-30 seconds
-Now, learn all the PLLs - 21 Algorithms (Links where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post)
Estimation Time: 2-3 Months
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 20-30 seconds
Goal Average: Sub 20 seconds
-Work on your F2L, maybe learn the algorithms. (Links for F2L algorithms at the bottom of this post)
-Master all your PLLs and OLLs that you know. Meaning optimize it to your maximum speed, try to use the triggers, and try to get all of them under 3 seconds.
-Get your cross sub 5 seconds consistently(make sure you have cross on bottom)
-Possibly get a new cube(DIY) if your still using a SLOW Rubik's brand cube.
Estimation Time: 3-4 Months
Fridrich Method
Current Average: Sub 20 Seconds
Goal Average: 15 Seconds or less
-Master your F2L, try to get it down to sub 12 seconds average
-Get your cross to sub 2 seconds average
-Learn the rest of the OLLs! - 57 algorithms (Note that you should COMPLETELY master everything else before learning these, as they will only help you by about 2 seconds or less)
-To learn Oll's easier look at Badmephisto's video
Estimation Time: 3+ months
F2L Algorithms:
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/f2l/f2l
http://www.cubewhiz.com/f2l.html
http://www.cubefreak.net/F2L.html
http://solvethecube.co.uk/
OLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=766
2 Look OLL for Corner Orientation are cases 21-27.
http://cubewhiz.com/ollprint.html
2 Look Oll are cases 4-10
PLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=708
Corner Permutation are the Aa, Ab, and E permutation algorithms.
Edge Permutation are the Ua, Ub, H, and Zb permutation algorithms.
http://cubewhiz.com/pllprint.html
You should print out your oll/pll's so you can learn them and use them at any time. Keep in mind that you should choose the algorithms that best suit you. Just because one person is fast with an algorithm doesn't mean you will be fast.
USEFUL LINKS
Be sure to check out this "Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners" post as well. It contains a lot of good information.
Helpful info-
Cubefreak - Macky's Site, Very good information on how to get fast
Cubingtechniques -Yu Nakajima's site Not in English but good f2l Algorithms
Cubeloop - Dennis Nilsson's site. Helped me.
Tutorials -
Tyson Mao Layer by Layer
Leyan Lo Layer by Layer
Dan Brown Layer by layer
Bob Burton Layer by layer
-----------------------------
Badmephisto's Frid F2l
Fallofshadow's Frid F2l
Andrewvo1324's Frid F2l
Macky's F2l written tutorial
-----------------------------
Pestvic's How to break in a Rubiks brand cube
Sanding your cube down - NuclearBanana10
Pestvic's lubing with silicone
Dan brown's lubing with Vaseline
----------------------------
Cube Shops
PuzzleProz - Fast shipping if in Usa. Good Customer Service.Good cubes :]
Cube4you - Slow/expensive shipping to Usa(you can get fast shipping for 20$) Good cubes though.
Huskyomega- Eastsheen cubes Cheap good service
9spuzzles -
Rubiks - Rubiks Brand DIY
Amazon - Fast shipping
Cube stickers/parts
Cubesmith - Fast shipping, good quality products
Cube lube
Cubelube - Im sure they are back in business any confirm?
Here's a video of one of the top cubers, Erik Akkersdijk, getting a sub 20 average only using the beginner's method.
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 1:30+ or don't know how to solve
Goal Average: 1:00-1:19
Use Leyan’s Beginners Method, or Badmephisto's Youtube Video Tutorial.
You could also achieve sub-1 min with these methods
If you are still stuck, follow these tips:
-Try to reduce Pauses.
-Sand, Break in, and Lubricate Your Cube (In that order).
-Decrease Last layer times.
-Use Finger Tricks
-Practice!!!
You can decrease Last Layer times by improving your recognition for each case.
-Make sure you solve the cross on the bottom. It will help you later. For now, try to get a cross in an average of less than 10 seconds on the Bottom of the cube. Here are some links which will help you:
http://www.cubefreak.net/cross.html
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/cross/cross
Note: You can also do inserting from different angles See Macky's take: http://cubefreak.net/easy_fast.html
-Use a timer to see your progression : www.cubetimer.com if you want the timers like the "pros" use check bottom of post.
Estimation Time: 3 Weeks
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 1:00-1:19
Goal Average: 40 - 50 seconds
Once you acheive these times;
-I strongly suggest you learn 4 look last layer. (Links to where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post.)
-DO NOT learn F2L yet.
Edge Orientation - 2 algorithms
Corner Orientation - 7 algorithms
Edge Permutation - 4 algorithms - Ua, Ub, Zb, H
Corner Permutation - 3 Algorithms Aa, Ab, E
Estimation Time: 3 weeks - 1.5 months
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 40-55 seconds
Goal Average: 30-40 seconds
-Now learn intuitive First Two Layers (F2L).
-Your times will temporarily get worse, but after a few days of practicing, they will become better greatly!
-Practice your F2L, and never give up!
-If you even think about giving up just take a break and come back to watch the video again. Theres are other F2l tutorials and will be listed on bottom.
Estimation Time: 2 Weeks
Fridrich Method:
Current Average:30-40 seconds
Goal Average:20-30 seconds
-Now, learn all the PLLs - 21 Algorithms (Links where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post)
Estimation Time: 2-3 Months
Fridrich Method:
Current Average: 20-30 seconds
Goal Average: Sub 20 seconds
-Work on your F2L, maybe learn the algorithms. (Links for F2L algorithms at the bottom of this post)
-Master all your PLLs and OLLs that you know. Meaning optimize it to your maximum speed, try to use the triggers, and try to get all of them under 3 seconds.
-Get your cross sub 5 seconds consistently(make sure you have cross on bottom)
-Possibly get a new cube(DIY) if your still using a SLOW Rubik's brand cube.
Estimation Time: 3-4 Months
Fridrich Method
Current Average: Sub 20 Seconds
Goal Average: 15 Seconds or less
-Master your F2L, try to get it down to sub 12 seconds average
-Get your cross to sub 2 seconds average
-Learn the rest of the OLLs! - 57 algorithms (Note that you should COMPLETELY master everything else before learning these, as they will only help you by about 2 seconds or less)
-To learn Oll's easier look at Badmephisto's video
Estimation Time: 3+ months
F2L Algorithms:
http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/f2l/f2l
http://www.cubewhiz.com/f2l.html
http://www.cubefreak.net/F2L.html
http://solvethecube.co.uk/
OLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=766
2 Look OLL for Corner Orientation are cases 21-27.
http://cubewhiz.com/ollprint.html
2 Look Oll are cases 4-10
PLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=708
Corner Permutation are the Aa, Ab, and E permutation algorithms.
Edge Permutation are the Ua, Ub, H, and Zb permutation algorithms.
http://cubewhiz.com/pllprint.html
You should print out your oll/pll's so you can learn them and use them at any time. Keep in mind that you should choose the algorithms that best suit you. Just because one person is fast with an algorithm doesn't mean you will be fast.
USEFUL LINKS
Be sure to check out this "Introduction to Speedcubing for Beginners" post as well. It contains a lot of good information.
Helpful info-
Cubefreak - Macky's Site, Very good information on how to get fast
Cubingtechniques -Yu Nakajima's site Not in English but good f2l Algorithms
Cubeloop - Dennis Nilsson's site. Helped me.
Tutorials -
Tyson Mao Layer by Layer
Leyan Lo Layer by Layer
Dan Brown Layer by layer
Bob Burton Layer by layer
-----------------------------
Badmephisto's Frid F2l
Fallofshadow's Frid F2l
Andrewvo1324's Frid F2l
Macky's F2l written tutorial
-----------------------------
Pestvic's How to break in a Rubiks brand cube
Sanding your cube down - NuclearBanana10
Pestvic's lubing with silicone
Dan brown's lubing with Vaseline
----------------------------
Cube Shops
PuzzleProz - Fast shipping if in Usa. Good Customer Service.Good cubes :]
Cube4you - Slow/expensive shipping to Usa(you can get fast shipping for 20$) Good cubes though.
Huskyomega- Eastsheen cubes Cheap good service
9spuzzles -
Rubiks - Rubiks Brand DIY
Amazon - Fast shipping
Cube stickers/parts
Cubesmith - Fast shipping, good quality products
Cube lube
Cubelube - Im sure they are back in business any confirm?