Newbie

[marinerabhi]

Hi everyone,

This is Abhishek, from Chennai, India, aged 23.
I am fairly new to the cubing world. I picked up a 3x3 from a local store about 3 months before and started solving using the "YOU CAN SOLVE THE CUBE pdf", beginners layer by layer method.

Was unaware of a concept of Speedsolving back then. And I was jus averaging abt 2min 20sec. using the LBL method.

Slowly, I got to step out of the comfort and contentment of having solved a cube, given the fact that none of my friends knew to solve one.

I was fascinated by Gabriel Dechichi Barbar's SUPERHUMAN SHOW DOWN program telecasted on Discovery and was amazed seeing the feat.

I then downloaded various different tutorials on CFOP(Badmephisto, CrazyBadCuber etc..) and I used RiDo's Hunting story method to learn INTUITIVE F2L.

I use 4-look LL. But the thing that has put me off is that I am not able to break the 2mins. barrier, no matter how hard I try.
My F2L takes a lot of time and I fail at looking ahead. After learning using the HUNTING METHOD, whenever a F2L case comes, I can't think of anything else but to solve it via that method.

I know PRACTICE makes the difference but I have been practicing a lot but still unable to get times below 2mins.

Pls. do guide me on what I should do to improve my times. Pl. do not refer me to any post like "How to get faster at CFOP" because I have gone thru those posts many times.

I have a YJ SULONG 3X3 speedcube.

A help would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Abhishek

P.S: I have learnt Classic Pochmann, concepts are clear and yet to get my first successful BLD solve.

 

[DeeDubb]

Welcome!

Just continue to practice, and you will get faster. Your SuLong is fine, and it should be able to carry you all the way to Sub-30 at least.

Watch a lot of videos showing F2L techniques. Add some PLL stuff slowly to the mix.


Also, if you are interested in other techniques, I made a series of videos teaching Roux method for beginners. Check it out and see if you like it. The link is in my signature.

Good luck!

 

[brian724080]

Welcome to the forums. I don't know what the Hunting Method is, but I believe the problem you currently have is that you are unable to figure out how to solve each case. You can head over to the speedsolving wiki and look at the algorithms for F2L; those are the basic cases of which only one pair needs to be solved. However, this does not mean that you are to memorize those algorithms. Sure, you can do so for a few awkward cases, but only if necessary. What I mean is that you should go through the algorithms step by step and thoroughly understand what each move does, so intuitive F2L will become much more intuitive to you.

 

[Future Cuber]

Hi there
I live in chennai as well ....
your Sulong is pretty fine and you should learn finger tricks
that should help you a lot
Use the index finger to turn U layer ..all those stuff
it should develop on its own

 

[marinerabhi]

Welcome!

Just continue to practice, and you will get faster. Your SuLong is fine, and it should be able to carry you all the way to Sub-30 at least.

Watch a lot of videos showing F2L techniques. Add some PLL stuff slowly to the mix.


Also, if you are interested in other techniques, I made a series of videos teaching Roux method for beginners. Check it out and see if you like it. The link is in my signature.

Good luck!

Thank you. Downloading your Roux videos now. Will watch out and also consider your other suggestions.

 

[marinerabhi]

Welcome to the forums. I don't know what the Hunting Method is, but I believe the problem you currently have is that you are unable to figure out how to solve each case. You can head over to the speedsolving wiki and look at the algorithms for F2L; those are the basic cases of which only one pair needs to be solved. However, this does not mean that you are to memorize those algorithms. Sure, you can do so for a few awkward cases, but only if necessary. What I mean is that you should go through the algorithms step by step and thoroughly understand what each move does, so intuitive F2L will become much more intuitive to you.

Thank you very much. I was finding it difficult to understand F2L with the videos out there and then found out the HUNTING METHOD.
Its very much similar to what Badmephisto teaches in his F2L videos but sticks in a beginner's mind faster as its kind of a story and is interesting how he teaches.
I am able to solve the entire F2L but I always tend to go by what I learnt in those videos. And I can't do INSERTIONS tCUBE ROTATIONS, as a result.
Working on getting better at F2L.

Hi there
I live in chennai as well ....
your Sulong is pretty fine and you should learn finger tricks
that should help you a lot
Use the index finger to turn U layer ..all those stuff
it should develop on its own

Hello Future Cuber,

Glad to know that you are from Chennai. Infact I know none in my friends circle who has any idea about solving the cube.
Can I know your name pls? and your whereabouts?
I am comfortable using index finger for U moves.
I tend to rotate the cube a lot in F2L step. And can't do insertion using L layer. I am comfortable with the right slot alone.
I think improving on that will definitely help cut down my timings.

Regards,
Abhi

 

[Akash Rupela]

Hi,
I am from India too. Please join this facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/cubingindia
I suggest you read some good posts about how you should practice, you can find them on the forums if you search a little. A post by Escher for example, is pure gold.
Considering you have a sulong, you just need to look at practice differently. Never see it as doing more and more solves.
Looking forward to hear more from you
Akash

 

[Rocky0701]

Hello, what as many example solves as you can so you can see how other people do their F2L, and drill your 4LLL algs. until you can do you entire last layer in about 15 seconds. Then just practice your F2L a ton, and play around with differents ays of solving cases. Good luck!

 

[newtonbase]

Wow. I've just looked up Rido's Hunting Story and I thoroughly recommend it. I haven't seen a more imaginative cubing video. I'm not sure how useful it would be to anyone but it has to be seen.

And welcome to the forum Abhishek.

 

[marinerabhi]

Hi,
I am from India too. Please join this facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/cubingindia
I suggest you read some good posts about how you should practice, you can find them on the forums if you search a little. A post by Escher for example, is pure gold.
Considering you have a sulong, you just need to look at practice differently. Never see it as doing more and more solves.
Looking forward to hear more from you
Akash

Hello Akash Rupela,

Very glad to receive your reply.
Needless for your introduction.
I was seeing a video of Dharmesh Shahu in youtube and scrolled down to see the comments where someone had written that he is no more the fastest Indian, and had mentioned your name.
So, I then searched about you....Saw few videos from your youtube channel.
And 2 days b4, I happened to see the post here on "Indian speed cubers" and saw your fitting replies to other people who were talking abt population n stuff.

Can u pls clarify "Considering you have a sulong, you just need to look at practice differently" this?
Could not understand what sulong has to do with it.

Looking forward to learning more from you.
Abhishek

 

[marinerabhi]

Hello, what as many example solves as you can so you can see how other people do their F2L, and drill your 4LLL algs. until you can do you entire last layer in about 15 seconds. Then just practice your F2L a ton, and play around with differents ays of solving cases. Good luck!

Thanks Rocky.....will follow along.
Drilling my 4LLL and F2L .....

 

[marinerabhi]

Wow. I've just looked up Rido's Hunting Story and I thoroughly recommend it. I haven't seen a more imaginative cubing video. I'm not sure how useful it would be to anyone but it has to be seen.

And welcome to the forum Abhishek.

Thank you newtonbase.
Yeah RiDo's hunting story is awesome...

 

[PJKCuber]

Hi, Prathamesh Kulkarni here
I am also fairly new to cubing(one month). I average around 29 seconds on 3x3 and 8-10 seconds on 2x2. I use a YJ Chilong.
Practice practice and practice your F2L. Check out badmephisto's videos on youtube. Be sure to try and learn another method.
You should always choose the method that suits you best. It is normal to have high times with F2L once you start out. I had 1:30 + timings when I started with F2L. But after 2 weeks of practice, I went sub 40. I am currently working on Lookahead and learning full PLL.

 

[Akash Rupela]

Hello Akash Rupela,
Can u pls clarify "Considering you have a sulong, you just need to look at practice differently" this?
Could not understand what sulong has to do with it.

Abhishek

It just meant that if you would have had a bad cube, then getting one better than that would have been a priority rather than bothering about fingertricks and things. But sulong means that you have the hardware that you need to improve your times and its just a matter of technique.

By looking at practice differently I mean definitely to read the posts that i mentioned in my last reply, as someone who is starting with things, you would like to perfect your fingertricks. Whatever algorithm you learn, try to be perfect with every aspect of it as much as you can. Being patient and not rushing through anything will give great rewards in the long run

 

[marinerabhi]

It just meant that if you would have had a bad cube, then getting one better than that would have been a priority rather than bothering about fingertricks and things. But sulong means that you have the hardware that you need to improve your times and its just a matter of technique.

By looking at practice differently I mean definitely to read the posts that i mentioned in my last reply, as someone who is starting with things, you would like to perfect your fingertricks. Whatever algorithm you learn, try to be perfect with every aspect of it as much as you can. Being patient and not rushing through anything will give great rewards in the long run

Understood your point bro.
Although I know F2L(learnt via Hunting story), I am kinda stuck with slotting only on the right hand side.
Left side slotting and backwards slotting(without cube rotations) is my challenge right now.
As I rotate the cube for every single F2L pair, that consumes time.

I hv got the basic OLLs into my muscle memory. Left with G-perms and N-perms.

Thanks for your suggestions Akash...Will drill in hard.

Regards

 

[marinerabhi]

Hi, Prathamesh Kulkarni here
I am also fairly new to cubing(one month). I average around 29 seconds on 3x3 and 8-10 seconds on 2x2. I use a YJ Chilong.
Practice practice and practice your F2L. Check out badmephisto's videos on youtube. Be sure to try and learn another method.
You should always choose the method that suits you best. It is normal to have high times with F2L once you start out. I had 1:30 + timings when I started with F2L. But after 2 weeks of practice, I went sub 40. I am currently working on Lookahead and learning full PLL.

Hi Prathamesh,

Wow Man!!! Thats a massive improvement...29 seconds in a month is superb...I can imagine the amount of effort u wud hv put in.
I have all of badmephisto's videos downloaded, but I am stuck with F2L slotting only on the right side. Can't avoid cube rotations. So I am working on that. I don't wanna get algorithmic at this step on F2L.
I am now trying to learn ROUX method at present.
Your words give me inspiration to get my times down. Thanks bro :tu

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[PJKCuber]

Hi Prathamesh,Regards,
Abhishek

Thanks man. It kind of is massive improvement, but since I was it was May(Summer Vacation) I was then practicing 3x3 for 4-5 hours a day.Now that school is starting, I'll only get one hour a day and 2-3 on weekends. I 'm in 9th standard now. Feliks Zemdegs(2013 World Champion) got his 1st sub 20 average in 2 months of cubing which is my goal. I have to reduce around 10 seconds for that.
Also, you don't need to know full PLL until you are sub 30(my avg) and full OLL unless you want to go sub 15. RIght now just concentrate on your F2L. ALSO TRY OUT OTHER METHODS TO SEE IF YOU LIKE OTHER ONES BETTER The reason for this is that many people choose CFOP because it's very popular. They later begin to hate it because of the high number of algorithms and then switch to another method.(TIme is wasted). In my opinion, don't learn all 42 F2L algorithms. Just practice your F2L a lot.. DOn't get discouraged if your times don't improve quickly. It doesn't happen overnight. But after 2-3 weeks, you will find a significant(10-15) difference in your speed.If you average on 2 minutes or even more than that, you arent practicing enough. I don't want to be rude or discourage you. You are doing fine. Try to improve each step. Here is one way to get less than one minute

Spoiler: How to get sub 1 minute(My method)

Cross- Try to do in less than 10 seconds. This is intuitive and just comes through practice.
F2L-LIke I said before, don't learn the algorithms for F2L. Intuitive F2L with a combination of 5-10 F2L algorithms is what top speedcubers use.AT this stage concentrate on F2L and not on algorithms. Try do solve all 4 pairs in less than 35 seconds.I think that you can't recognize F2L pairs fast enough so work on recognition
LL- Drill your LL algs and solve LL in less than 15 seconds. Algorithms can be executed at around 7-8 turns per second(with tons of practice).At your speed, work on executing all 4LL algs in less than 4 seconds.
Pls note that success doesn't happen overnight. Whatever happens don't give up. BEST OF LUCK!!![/B
Note that it is possible to get sub 1 minute with the begginers method. I average 55 seconds on it with a personal best of 38.17]

I know that I am no expert, but if want to see some filmed solves of mine -:
[youtubehd]MuE1HTvIOkI[/youtubehd]

 

[marinerabhi]

Thanks a lot bro..will work on that.
You have your goals defined clear cut, which is very nice.
And for a 9th standard guy, its a :tu achievement.

 

[TDM]

I am also fairly new to cubing(one month).

You joined the forums three months ago...

 

[PJKCuber]

You joined the forums three months ago...

True, I should I have written speedcubing. I learned how to solve a cube in March 2013(then discovered this site), but then I had exams and my parents didn't let me cube until a week into April. I then went to a summer camp for 2 weeks and came back in May, which is when I got my 1st speedcube and learnt F2L and all that stuff.So officialy I've known speedcubing since March, but have been actually doing it since May.