Which would be better for me to improve?

clifford2704

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I avg about 27 seconds right now, it's been like a month atleast and seem to be stuck at 25-28. I know full PLL

Would it be better to learn full OLL? or just keep practicing my f2l?

Right now I'm rotating and getting the PLL case, would it be better to learn to do the PLL then AUF?

I just did an average with my PLLs and it's taking me 3.30 seconds to do them. Which means on average it takes me 2.7 secs to setup and rotate to the case.

Also, is my zhanchi too fast for me? I'm now noticing I'm getting lockups because of inaccurate turns (overturning). Should I switch to a slower one?

Please tell me what my times should be to reach sub20



Cross:

F2l:

2L OLL:

PLL:

Right now: (round about)

Cross: 5 secs

F2l: 12 secs

2L OLL: 5 secs

PLL: 6 secs
 
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That's what I'm working on (PLL + F2L), just by spending 20 minutes practising F2L I managed to drop 5 seconds off my average (37 seconds from 42), and PB by 3 seconds (28 from 31), definitely worth putting in the time!
 
wow..amazing...according to my opinion..you should train all of them..especially F2L and PLL, just divide into 2 section F2L for 100 solve per day then PLL 100 solve per day..
 
I think you should start by using cube rotations + PLL instead of PLL + AUF as this will make recognition easier. Once you get faster at this you can start using AUFs and by then it should be no problem
 
If I were you, I would just keep practicing F2L, for OLL you can just use 2-look OLL but practice enough so that you can do the dot, line or "L" alg and know what the second alg is right away.
 
I would say mainly cross and pll, but don't neglect the others either. With PLL just do the algs over and over to get them faster, recognition will come with time
 
I would start on full OLL and just keep practing your recognition for PLL. Honestly with a 3.30 average for execution you could get 20-23 if your f2l and oll were fast enough. You probably should just work on recognition and stuff and start to get more OLL's down.
 
I agree that learning full OLL is far from the most important way to get fast. However, my opinion is that if you are planning on learning it someday anyway, it may as well be today to give you more practice with it. Firstly, the task isn't as daunting as it seems. And second, learning not only each alg but also learning how each permutes corners and edges can also help with pll recognition.
 
I agree that learning full OLL is far from the most important way to get fast.

No it's not. You should start learning OLL one you are sub 20. Even then I have gotten a sub15 average with 2look OLL.

I think you most need to work on F2L(specifically cross) and PLL. Drill you times and keep a record of your PB's. As for cross, do it on the bottom even if it makes you slower right now because you will thank me when you sub1 your cross.
 
Focus on PLL execution and learning OLLs.

If you're sitting in a place without a computer access, try not to scramble the cube and practice solves so much when you have such a long way to go with PLLs. Focus on PLLs for a while FIRST. Maybe, do each algorithm like...50-100 times before even touching the timer. Try to perfect the algorithm. If you have computer access at the time, then focusing on memorizing the OLLs. There's really no reason to wait so long on them when you could just get them out of the way. You could learn like, half of them within a week, then the other half next week, if you have the time, or if you're that fast at memorizing. Either way, I'd say just get it out of the way. And you have no reason to try and limit your memorization capabilities. You'd be surprised what your brain can do if you try hard enough.

I'm no expert, but here's my two cents on what to do after all is said and done:

Once you're sub-20, it would be good for you to always be looking for new algorithms to learn. Once you can't find any algorithms, find something else to learn. Always be learning something. I'm just starting to learn F2LL (Winter Variation). It's gotten me a few extra sub-10 solves where I otherwise wouldn't have gotten them. Once I've learned that, I'm going to learn OLLCP, and then some COLL, and maybe some CMLL that could be used on both Roux and Waterman solves. In the meantime, outside of algorithms, I'll also be practicing EOLine and EOCross for OH-solving. Still haven't perfected it. (For some reason, I keep misidentifying bad edges...) Because of this, I'll probably end up learning some ZZ too. I bet learning some phasing might help me with my F2L too. Once I've conquered all this, I'll hunt for more algorithms, Maybe I'll start ZB-method too. That should be fun. Doesn't really matter what it is. All that matters is that I'm learning something. Just learn as much as you can as fast as you can, and you should be fine.

But, of course, don't neglect look-ahead. Your main focus should almost always be cross and look-ahead (mainly look-ahead). Learning algorithms is just a given. You should always be doing that on the side, but the main thing that will get you those awesome times is cross and look ahead. If you're cubing and have nothing better to do, then work on cross and look ahead.

Also, try to structure your practice time. Make a schedule or something. Structured practice time might do you some good. At least make a sort of general structure. You could maybe separate it into algorithm-learning and execution, cross, F2L, and full solves. "First, I'll memorize these 10 or so algorithms, then I'll practice my cross for 30 minutes, then I'll practice F2L look-ahead for 30 minutes, then I'll practice my such-and-such for so-and-so minutes, and then I'll work on blah blah blah." You tweak it to suit your needs.

Another tip: Always stay relaxed when solving. A good way to do this is to move the cube at a speed just a HAIR below normal speed. Your eyes should have an somewhat easier time keeping up that way, and your hands will be able to relax a bit more easily.

Hope that helps.
 
Chain of importance for fast times: F2l-PLL-Cross-OLL Collin sort of proves that point with his times. In your case however I would work PLL's it is important to recognize where your weakness is, meaning either in recognition of exicution. I sub-2 all but about 6 last layer algs yet my last layer is very very slow 5-6 second because my recognition is poop. So maybe tape some of your solves and watch them to find out which of the 2 it is and go from there. All the best on working to sub 20 =]
 
thanks guys for the help, umm my older solve where I was faster I had no lookahead and just went fullspeed with many many pauses, now I try to lookahead. If i just go full speed is it bad?
 
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