ALG or Finger Tricks, which should be learned first?

[RadicalRick]

I'm wondering what I should learn first. Base on speedcuber's experiences here, what did you learn first?
Fancy finger tricks or the algorithms. I already know how to solve the cube, obviously, now I want to get faster.
Do I learn how to spin the cubes with some nifty finger tricks now or do I learn the new algorithm first, before learning some finger tricks? I'm assuming, the finger tricks should be learned next now that I do know how to solve the cube. Then some new faster Alg. But what do I know, I'm no expert, yet.

 

[duckyisepic]

imo, i learn fingertricks with the alg I'm learning. But I do think you should know basic fingertricks in order to do super "cool" fingertricks. Before, I use to just learn the alg from a yt video and never paid attention to fingertricks. This factor was one of the reasons why I couldn't achieve sub 20 on 3x3. I then saw this article by jayden, So I went back to yt videos going into 0.25 speed and doing proper fingertricks for some plls I needed to learn. This improved my times drastically, reducing regrips in my solves. I think learning new algs with the fingertricks will reduce future mistakes in your solves. But in the end this is my opinion based on my experience, and doing algs or fingertricks first is your preference.

 

[DiamondGolem12]

Learn fingertricks from this video:

Then learn an advanced method. I recommend learning CFOP then ZZ. Alternatively, if you want to be more efficient (less moves) then learn Roux. And if you want to use an amazing yet less-developed method then learn Mehta.

If you want to get faster but don't want to learn a new method then just practice turning fast, being efficient and not pausing during solves.

 

[BenChristman1]

As you learn the algs, just learn the fingertricks with it. Learn the best fingertricks for a new alg ASAP, because you don’t want to get bad habits.

 

[Cuberstache]

imo it depends on what you define as "fancy finger tricks". You should definitely know some basic fingertricks like U flicks, thumb F moves, double flick U2 and D2s, pinch U moves, and drag U moves, to name a few. More complicated fingertricks like pushes, weird RUS stuff, simultaneous U/D moves, etc. are not that important before you've learned full CFOP

 

[CubeRed]

If you are learning or planning to learn a lot of algs you should learn fingertricks first. But as @CuberStache had said if you have learnt the essentials you don't need to learn advanced fingertricks.

 

[MeSub20]

I suggest learning fingertricks first so you can be efficient with the algs that you learn...

 

[EvanCuber]

Or you could just learn both simultaneously.

 

[qwr]

basic fingertricks you can pick up just by watching videos. you can practice finger tricks just by doing them over and over while doing something else like watching a video

 

[RadicalRick]

If you are learning or planning to learn a lot of algs you should learn fingertricks first. But as @CuberStache had said if you have learnt the essentials you don't need to learn advanced fingertricks.

It's that son of a "B" that keeps tripping me up! I got the CFOP down. Just need to make sure I'm using the proper finger moves. L, R, D, U, and F I got down I believe. I've been improving my double flicks. Two fingers doing the turns instead of one finger flicking twice. U2(where streets have no names), F2(fighter jet), L2(lumbar spine), R2-D2(Star Wars), etc...

 

[abunickabhi]

My approach is first to learn algorithms and then to develop various kinds of fingertricks and finally stick to one and perfect the fingertrick and make it fast. I don't think this is the outright best approach, but it works well for me.

 

[SH03L4C3]

My approach is first to learn algorithms and then to develop various kinds of fingertricks and finally stick to one and perfect the fingertrick and make it fast. I don't think this is the outright best approach, but it works well for me.

I do the same thing and I also see how others do it and see if I like it more

 

[RadicalRick]

Or you could just learn both simultaneously.

This is what I'm working on and it seems to be coming together nicely. Just doing the CF first. Slowly to grasp the concept then I do each ALG fast many times over so that it gets burned into my brain.

 

[Megaminx lover]

learn both at the same time

 

[Dan the Beginner]

I do whichever is easier at the time. When I am tired and can't focus well, I practise the algorithms that I know and hope to turn faster. When my 75 year old fingers are sore, which happens quite often since I started cubing, I learn algorithms or learn how the pieces move around the cube looking for alternative moves, so that I can turn slowly.

 

[Chaitanya Narendra Gurav]

I'm wondering what I should learn first. Base on speedcuber's experiences here, what did you learn first?
Fancy finger tricks or the algorithms. I already know how to solve the cube, obviously, now I want to get faster.
Do I learn how to spin the cubes with some nifty finger tricks now or do I learn the new algorithm first, before learning some finger tricks? I'm assuming, the finger tricks should be learned next now that I do know how to solve the cube. Then some new faster Alg. But what do I know, I'm no expert, yet.

I think you should do go with alg so then you will know efficient way to be faster

 

[EngiNerdBrian]

Incorporate the new finger tricks you’re learning into the algs you’re learning simultaneously. Just like learning algs but not practicing recognition defeats the benefit of the alg, learning stand-alone finger tricks is much less useful than when it’s incorporated into your algs.

 

[Chaitanya Narendra Gurav]

Incorporate the new finger tricks you’re learning into the algs you’re learning simultaneously. Just like learning algs but not practicing recognition defeats the benefit of the alg, learning stand-alone finger tricks is much less useful than when it’s incorporated into your algs.

I think you can practice both by ratio of 2:1 such as 2 finger tricks and one algorithm