Need help break 19-20 second barrier [3x3]

bryt12

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Joined
Jul 5, 2012
Messages
1
Hello,
I have been stuck at the 19-20 second barrier for a while now (5 months) and I was just wondering if anyone could give me tips on what and how I should improve.
Break down
CFOP
Cross: 4.3
F2L: 8.3
OLL: 3.6
PLL: 3
19.2
Thanks I would appreciate help and your break downs. In the end I would like to have a 15 second avg.
 
Here are some suggestions:

Cross:
- Do an average of 100 where you only make the cross. Do it again the next day. And the day after that. Etc.
- Become color neutral, so you can go for the easiest cross every time. Not necessarily fewest move, just something that is comfortable.

F2L:
- Practice slowly. Try without a timer and after cross, before solving a pair, check where all your pairs are, and go for the easiest pair every time (Usually one that doesn't require cube rotations). After first pair, do the same for the remaining pairs.
- Learn different algs to solve the same case. If you have multiple options, you can cancel out moves more, and transition to the next pair more easily.
- Try to plan the cross and first pair during inspection. Try to plan doing the first pair to the back, because it will allow you to see more.

LL:
- Practice each alg individually. For the cases you don't like, find another alg, or try to use a different finger trick. Watch other cubers on youtube and at competitions to get inspiration.
- Do PLL time attacks.
- Do OLL time attacks.

Etc. etc.
 
Last edited:
Please help I'm sub 25 right now and I have been cubing for 7 months. Is this good? I'm 12. I'm kinda stuck at sub 25 and I ask you what should I improve? I guess that look-ahead on F2L. I actually only know 13 PLLs and about 20 OLLs. What do you think?
 
Please help I'm sub 25 right now and I have been cubing for 7 months. Is this good? I'm 12. I'm kinda stuck at sub 25 and I ask you what should I improve? I guess that look-ahead on F2L. I actually only know 13 PLLs and about 20 OLLs. What do you think?

I am not even sub 30 myself yet, but the first thing that you should definitely do is stop learning more OLLs right now. Finish learning the last 8 PLLs which will definitely improve your times at least a second. After that you can continue to learn the OLLs at your own pace. You are very fast especially for not knowing full PLL, so once you finish those, you times should keep improving.
 
Please help I'm sub 25 right now and I have been cubing for 7 months. Is this good? I'm 12. I'm kinda stuck at sub 25 and I ask you what should I improve? I guess that look-ahead on F2L. I actually only know 13 PLLs and about 20 OLLs. What do you think?

I recommend you stop learning OLLs and focus on learning full PLL. You can work on getting last layer to around 5-6 seconds by practicing it alone, like using qqtimer last layer scrambles to work on recognition. This should help you get to averaging around 20 consistently. You should also have a cross/f2l average of 10-15 seconds. You can practice looking ahead using a metronome or doing a ton of slow solves. REALLY slow solves. Cubing world has good videos on F2L (collinxbyx's series) Also, LaZer0Monkey has a good tutorial on practicing. Hope this helps ;)
 
Cross and F2L are the most important aspects. They are the most time consuming and difficult to become very efficient compared to OLL and PLL.
Improve on your cross, memorise it, plan it and only look F2L pieces when solving it. Get efficient at F2L, have little/no pauses is the most important, then gradually build speed while maintaining fluency.
OLL and PLL, 2 look OLL is enough for sub 15, full PLL is highly recommended. Use fast algorithms and how you like it, turn as fast as you can at this stage. TPS will come with practice and repetition.
 
Please help I'm sub 25 right now and I have been cubing for 7 months. Is this good? I'm 12. I'm kinda stuck at sub 25 and I ask you what should I improve? I guess that look-ahead on F2L. I actually only know 13 PLLs and about 20 OLLs. What do you think?
Is it good? Everyone has their own potential level and determination. Nothing is good or bad in cubing. I am sub 22 and I started Jan this year but that dosent mean I am better than you... Stop underestimation yourself and think, 25 sec is good, not many people in world can solve the Rubiks cube and I am one of them who can solve it in 25 sec. Yay! Be happy, dont worry :):tu
 
Cross and F2L are the most important aspects. They are the most time consuming and difficult to become very efficient compared to OLL and PLL.
Improve on your cross, memorise it, plan it and only look F2L pieces when solving it. Get efficient at F2L, have little/no pauses is the most important, then gradually build speed while maintaining fluency.
OLL and PLL, 2 look OLL is enough for sub 15, full PLL is highly recommended. Use fast algorithms and how you like it, turn as fast as you can at this stage. TPS will come with practice and repetition.

You can get Sub 15 with 2 look oll ? In the how to get faster with CFOP guide, it was given that full OLL is required?
 
You can get Sub 15 with 2 look oll ? In the how to get faster with CFOP guide, it was given that full OLL is required?

You can easily get sub-15 with 2 look OLL. I'm about 18.5 average and I know about 45 OLLs. Don't worry about OLL, time is much better spent on lookahead, cross, etc..
 
Then I will get sub 15 with 2 look oll then :)Thought that OLL is required. Now my doubt is clearn. BTW how fast should your cross+ f2l and pll be to get sub 15 with 2 look oll? like in timers like 4 sec, 5 sec etc
Thanks :)
 
Then I will get sub 15 with 2 look oll then :)Thought that OLL is required. Now my doubt is clearn. BTW how fast should your cross+ f2l and pll be to get sub 15 with 2 look oll? like in timers like 4 sec, 5 sec etc
Thanks :)

How fast should it be? Faster than yours currently is. Just keep practicing and practicing and you'll get better. There's no point in over thinking things and asking semi pointless questions.
 
Yes, full OLL is definitely not necesary, but since you already know 20, you might as well finish. If you want to learn it (your choice) i would finish learning your PLLs, while working to retain OLLs that you have learned. After that you should decide whether or not to finish learning the OLLs or to just stick with 2 look.
 
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