1tps to 2.5 tps for f2l: How long does it take?

[bundat]

Getting good lookahead like that, IMO, is the hardest step to learn, and would require the most time. That's the part where most people get stuck.

Also, even with bad/zero lookahead, you can still easily get sub-28 times.
So I suggest you improve other problem areas first, as they are much easier and could easily be done even with only 1 hour a day of practice.

I had nearly no lookahead when I was sub-28, but I had managed to fine tune the following, which I suggest you do first:
- sub-2.5 blindfolded cross
- sub-3 for all PLLs (and sub-2 for all MUs)
- ~5 tps for LL (OLL and PLL)

If you can also manage your 2.5 tps metronome F2L solve, that's already almost enough for a sub-20.
After all, who am I to tell you that it's impossible or if you can do it?

 

[byu]

I had nearly no lookahead when I was sub-28, but I had managed to fine tune the following, which I suggest you do first:
- sub-2.5 blindfolded cross
- sub-3 for all PLLs (and sub-2 for all MUs)
- ~5 tps for LL (OLL and PLL)

What is a blindfolded cross?

 

[a small kitten]

Solving the cross without looking after you inspect.

- sub-2.5 blindfolded cross
- sub-3 for all PLLs (and sub-2 for all MUs)
- ~5 tps for LL (OLL and PLL)

2.5 blindfolded cross is a little demanding lol

 

[byu]

I just tried to do that, 15 second inspection, took me about 12 seconds to actually do it. I think I'm a lot faster looking at it, but i suppose it's just practice.

EDIT: What is the reason that I would want to do a blindfolded cross anyway?

 

[a small kitten]

Yeah, you're supposed to look around with the time you take to make the cross.

 

[AvGalen]

I currently consistently smooth solve my f2l at about the rate of 1 tps for practice (with metronome). I just started doing this. I'm preparing for a competition at our school next month. I average about 34 seconds overall. MY last average of 15 was 33ish. I am working on my LL. My PLL average for all the perms is just about 5 seconds, which is pretty slow. Anyway, is it possible to get to 2.5 tps or higher for my f2l smooth solving (which is my goal) within one month? I'm a student i try to budget my time. I practice probably an hour or a little more each day. Is that enough? I thank you for your answers and suggestions.

So you need 5 seconds for PLL, I am assuming about the same for OLL. That leaves 23 seconds for F2L. At 1 tps that means you have an amazin low move count for F2L!

I am guessing you are already at at least 1.5 tps

 

[shadowclad002]

AvGalen, you're right in all of the assumptions. However, I only solve at this pace for pratice( solving the cube while trying to avoid cube rotations). I average around 2.5 tps with a high move count in a real solve. That's why I'm trying to unlearn it and start at 1 tps working my way up( I do too many cube turns). I'm going into a competition so im worried this slowing down will affect my performance.

bundat, Thanks alot.

sub-3 for all PLLs (and sub-2 for all MUs)

What's MU?
BY the way can i ask about your average stats for 3x3x3? Thanks

THe advice i have received so far:

1. Disregard the metronome **** and practice PLLs and OLLs for the competition, THEN after the comp relearn with the metonome until the next competition.

 

[JohnnyA]

AvGalen, you're right in all of the assumptions. However, I only solve at this pace for pratice( solving the cube while trying to avoid cube rotations). I average around 2.5 tps with a high move count in a real solve. That's why I'm trying to unlearn it and start at 1 tps working my way up( I do too many cube turns). I'm going into a competition so im worried this slowing down will affect my performance.

bundat, Thanks alot.

sub-3 for all PLLs (and sub-2 for all MUs)

What's MU?
BY the way can i ask about your average stats for 3x3x3? Thanks

THe advice i have received so far:

1. Disregard the metronome **** and practice PLLs and OLLs for the competition, THEN after the comp relearn with the metonome until the next competition.

MU is a PLL like H (M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2) that is done using only the M-slice and U moves. They are very fast, easily sub-2 for them.

I would suggest, to improve you need to work on F2L, since it takes the longest time to do the F2L during a solve. I personally have a cube with a blank last layer (no stickers) that I use for practicing F2L - this helps you block out the yellow and other stickers when you are solving for real. The F2L is easy to get faster with the metronome, I never used one but I can get about 168 consistently using one, and I actually solve faster when solving without it The trick is, you need to be able to instantly recognise the F2L case. I always tell people who I teach at my school:

"look for your F2L case as quickly as possible, then close your eyes and do it without looking and without turning the U face or any other face. If you can do this 100% of the time, you will be able to look at other pieces while you solve each pair and so you will have less gaps between pairs."

 

[bundat]

1. Disregard the metronome **** and practice PLLs and OLLs for the competition, THEN after the comp relearn with the metonome until the next competition.

I didn't say disregard it, I just meant that speeding up PLL execution is much easier, you could probably do it in a day if you had more time. It takes so little time, that most good cubers can learn a new algorithm, and if it's easy enough, get it down to sub-3 in a few minutes or so.

F2L is still the most important...I can match the LL execution of some very good cubers, but I don't have enough lookahead to mimic their sub-8 F2Ls which is what makes sub-15 averages.

 

[shadowclad002]

Thank you for your suggestions..
Thank you Jhonny a, bundat, and all the others
YEs!
I had my first sub 20 today. 18.78.Very Luck solve. accidental X cross plus automatic 3 move insertion for the second corner.

I still average around 32 overall.

the comp will be next week. I practice my LL and look ahead every day. I have had a sub 30 average of 15 and my fastest non lucky is 22.89.

Without your advice this would not have been possible. However, i belive i have a problem. I am reverting back to sub 34 again. I think it might be my look ahead. Or, i may just be not as good as i think i am.

edit:
today i had my fastest ever avg of 5: 27.88

I'm still about 110 on the metronome so im still barely 2 tps.

AND as everyone says it was all in look ahead. Slow improvement but definitely improvement.

 

[shadowclad002]

Results from the comp:

OK.. I had the second fastest single at our school comp with 26.23. And i averaged barely sub 30 (29.xx) for the third place. we were not allowed inspection thought. quite stupid.

Thank you for your help. I currenntly average under 30 seconds adn have not reverted. I bought a new cube and new lube and it downed my times by about 2 seconds.

Having reached my goal, i'm probably not going to push myseld anymore and just loiter along to sub 20. hehehe.