Too young to learn algorithms?

[Anonymus]

I am an 11 year old boy that is new to speed cubing. I started learning 2 look oll, 2 look pll and basic f2l about a month ago. I for some reason cannot memorize new algorithms(particularly the olls bow-tie and chameleon) they just don't register and I have practiced them for 4 days. I was wondering if anyone had a less awkward algorithim (I use Lw' U') (L U) (R U') (Rw' F) and R' F) (R B') (R' F') (R B)) or maybe I am just too young for this and I should practice beginner or some kind of easier things and lay off cfop or 3x3.

 

[PJKCuber]

I am an 11 year old boy that is new to speed cubing. I started learning 2 look oll, 2 look pll and basic f2l about a month ago. I for some reason cannot memorize new algorithms(particularly the olls bow-tie and chameleon) they just don't register and I have practiced them for 4 days. I was wondering if anyone had a less awkward algorithim (I use Lw' U') (L U) (R U') (Rw' F) and R' F) (R B') (R' F') (R B)) or maybe I am just too young for this and I should practice beginner or some kind of easier things and lay off cfop or 3x3.

You are never to young. I'm a 13 year old who averages 24 seconds after 2 months of cubing. Use algdb.net for algorithms. Try out every algorithm and then choose. PS Rami Sbahi, the 2x2 World Record holder is 12 or 13 I think.

 

[slinky773]

Have you heard of Yo-Yo Ma? Jacqueline Du Pre? Maxim Vengerov? All of them were child prodigies in their musical instruments (cello, cello, and violin, respectively) and became widely known throughout the world of music. They all practiced up to 7 hours a day practicing and perfecting pieces, e.g. Haydn Cello Concerto in C, Kabalevsky Cello Concerto in G minor, Elgar's Cello Concerto, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Mozart Violin Concerto, Bach Suites, Bach Sonatas… For purpose of analogy, these were all basically long, complex algorithms. These musicians had to perfect every note, just like we drill and drill PLL, OLL, COLL algorithms. Too young? Everyone has muscle memory and the ability to make motions innate. If we didn't, you wouldn't know how to walk. In fact, at a young age, you should actually be the best at learning these kinds, since adults generally learn things through muscle memory and the like slower than the young, I believe. Don't think you're too young. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[Anonymus]

Thanks for the algorithms link I will practice them and see what ones feel nicest to my hands. This second part is unrelated but f I practiced enough and learned 2 look oll and pll and advanced f2l could I get a 30s average?

Have you heard of Yo-Yo Ma? Jacqueline Du Pre? Maxim Vengerov? All of them were child prodigies in their musical instruments (cello, cello, and violin, respectively) and became widely known throughout the world of music. They all practiced up to 7 hours a day practicing and perfecting pieces, e.g. Haydn Cello Concerto in C, Kabalevsky Cello Concerto in G minor, Elgar's Cello Concerto, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Mozart Violin Concerto, Bach Suites, Bach Sonatas… For purpose of analogy, these were all basically long, complex algorithms. These musicians had to perfect every note, just like we drill and drill PLL, OLL, COLL algorithms. Too young? Everyone has muscle memory and the ability to make motions innate. If we didn't, you wouldn't know how to walk. In fact, at a young age, you should actually be the best at learning these kinds, since adults generally learn things through muscle memory and the like slower than the young, I believe. Don't think you're too young. Practice, practice, practice.

Inspiration right there...

 

[David10000]

This second part is unrelated but f I practiced enough and learned 2 look oll and pll and advanced f2l could I get a 30s average?

Of course you can. Just keep practicing.
EDIT: On second thought, don't listen to me. I'm a noob.

 

[Skullush]

The 2x2 average WR holders are both like 12, so no, you're fine

 

[cmhardw]

Sometimes a certain algorithm can be harder to learn than others. When all else fails, brute force repetition can help you make sure you learn the algorithm.

Also, don't bother at all with memorizing the turns as they are written in notation. Memorize the turns in groups of 2 or 3 and memorize visually what they do to certain pieces on the cube itself. This may help, but if it doesn't, just do the algorithm over and over and over and over again.

When all other techniques fail, brute force repetition can help.

 

[Rocky0701]

You actually have more of an advantage being younger, when you are like 15, you'll be much faster than you would be if you would have started at like 13-14. It gives you a head start to get fast. It would be like being bilingual at birth VS learning a second language later in life. Good luck!

 

[CiaranBeahan]

I'm 14 and hold 24 Irish national records. I also started when I was 11 like you. The point being it is never too young to start.

 

[10461394944000]

no, there is a 2 year old who uses cfop.

 

[G2013]

I became full fridrich being 12 years old, and I know younger people who know a lot of algorithms

 

[tx789]

I started cubing when I was 11, had no trouble memorising algs.

 

[GuRoux]

even I, starting at 16, could memorize algs.

 

[Renslay]

I'm 27. Am I too old to learn algorithms?

 

[ollicubes]

I'm 27. Am I too old to learn algorithms?

Never too young, never too old.

 

[Anonymus]

For some reason I felt restricted to one person's algorithm. I found a nice one that use no B or D moves which is what screws me up. I am planning to compete in Toronto on august 9 for 2x2 and 3x3 (it costs $2 extra per event so even though I get 20 seconds in 2x2 I am still competing.) currently for 3x3 I average about 1 minute but am quickly speeding up ( 'bout a second or more a day) do you think I can make it?

 

[10461394944000]

do you think I can make it?

make what?

 

[Anonymus]

make what?

Be able to get a 30 sec average by august 9th so that I don't get eaten by the others.

 

[natezach728]

You are never too young to learn algorithms. I started when I was 11, about 2 years ago. Now I'm almost 14, I'm averaging 10 seconds. Learning algs will become easier, all of us have found our own ways of memorizing them - for me, its just drilling algorithms and then timing them to make sure i can do them fluidly.

 

[DeeDubb]

Be able to get a 30 sec average by august 9th so that I don't get eaten by the others.

It'll be tough. Don't worry about being "too slow" at a competition. There's always someone way faster than you and someone way slower than you. So, just go, and have fun, meet cubers, and don't worry, they won't judge you for being slow, unless they are just rotten human beings, but who cares what those people think anyway?