Beginner competing in a week. Any pointers?

[boingyman]

Just giving an update to this thread. My son had a lot of fun with an Ao5 of 45 sec. Everyone there was nice and he got to meet a lot of other kids. He also got to play around with other cubes and now he wants all these other cubes and a clock... He actually hit an unofficial PR racing another kid and got 31 sec. We didn't stay until the end, but was there for a while.

I asked what he did to solve and he said he did intuitive F2L to solve every second layer of all 5 solves. I'm sure he still has a long way to go with getting better at it, but when would it be a good time to start learning 2 look (or should he learn 1 look?) PLL? Also I noticed after his comp that his cube is starting to look pretty dirty inside the walls. What's a easy way to clean it? I have some Gan lube (3 pack), but I have yet to add any lube or adjust any screws since I have no idea what I'm doing lol. Does it even matter at his level?

 

[L4NC3_D4_AS14N]

Just giving an update to this thread. My son had a lot of fun with an Ao5 of 45 sec. Everyone there was nice and he got to meet a lot of other kids. He also got to play around with other cubes and now he wants all these other cubes and a clock... He actually hit an unofficial PR racing another kid and got 31 sec. We didn't stay until the end, but was there for a while.

I asked what he did to solve and he said he did intuitive F2L to solve every second layer of all 5 solves. I'm sure he still has a long way to go with getting better at it, but when would it be a good time to start learning 2 look PLL? Also I noticed after his comp that his cube is starting to look pretty dirty inside the walls. What's a easy way to clean it? I have some Gan lube (3 pack), but I have yet to add any lube or adjust any screws since I have no idea what I'm doing lol. Does it even matter at his level?

That’s awesome! I would learn 2 look PLL after the comp. For cleaning, just use a cloth/face towel to wipe excess lube/dirt and then after reapply new lube. For adjusting your cube, its not as important as long as the cube isn’t uncontrollably fast or way too slow at your level. For lube just add 1-2 drops on the white and yellow side. Tell your son I said good luck (wait that sounds creepy)

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

Just giving an update to this thread. My son had a lot of fun with an Ao5 of 45 sec. Everyone there was nice and he got to meet a lot of other kids. He also got to play around with other cubes and now he wants all these other cubes and a clock... He actually hit an unofficial PR racing another kid and got 31 sec. We didn't stay until the end, but was there for a while.

I asked what he did to solve and he said he did intuitive F2L to solve every second layer of all 5 solves. I'm sure he still has a long way to go with getting better at it, but when would it be a good time to start learning 2 look (or should he learn 1 look?) PLL? Also I noticed after his comp that his cube is starting to look pretty dirty inside the walls. What's a easy way to clean it? I have some Gan lube (3 pack), but I have yet to add any lube or adjust any screws since I have no idea what I'm doing lol. Does it even matter at his level?

here’s what i did personally

I just used beginners method until about 30 seconds then i started learning 1-look PLL and intuitive F2L as well as 2-look OLL. Right now he just needs to get faster with the beginner’s method

I just grab a napkin, rubbing alcohol, then take the cube a part and wipe all the pieces.

 

[That0newe1rdo]

Just giving an update to this thread. My son had a lot of fun with an Ao5 of 45 sec. Everyone there was nice and he got to meet a lot of other kids. He also got to play around with other cubes and now he wants all these other cubes and a clock... He actually hit an unofficial PR racing another kid and got 31 sec. We didn't stay until the end, but was there for a while.

Nice !
If he wants other cubes (assuming you are alright with getting him more) he thankfully started cubing when there are options that dont break the bank too much whilst being very good cubes (e.g. for 4x4, Auso v7 single track - 20 USD).
And dont worry. Cubing, compared to other hobbies isnt as expensive imo.I asked what he did to solve and he said he did intuitive F2L to solve every second layer of all 5 solves. I'm sure he still has a long way to go with getting better at it, but when would it be a good time to start learning 2 look (or should he learn 1 look?) PLL ?

I asked what he did to solve and he said he did intuitive F2L to solve every second layer of all 5 solves. I'm sure he still has a long way to go with getting better at it, but when would it be a good time to start learning 2 look (or should he learn 1 look?) PLL?.

Do you know how he currently does his last layer ? To my knowledge some tutorials go around it differently - this can help determine his next steps since i dont want to say, "start learning 2 look PLL" when he may be in a position where its harder to learn it then someone else who does a different last layer solution.
I can say that 1 look PLL isn't reccomended/almost necessary until he wants to get sub 20.

Also I noticed after his comp that his cube is starting to look pretty dirty inside the walls. What's a easy way to clean it? I have some Gan lube (3 pack), but I have yet to add any lube or adjust any screws since I have no idea what I'm doing lol. Does it even matter at his level?

Personally, I would use a cloth and sometimes, depending on how long ive decided not to clean it for, rubbing alcohol. Id also take it apart so i can clean every spot.

I think there is a Gan Lube (i think its the orange one) that helps to stop cubes getting dirty, i dont know for sure though so take this with a grain of salt. This is also assuming the set of 3 you have is like 3 bottles with a mumber from 1-3 on each one, and each if which also having a different colour label (orange, purple, blue i think).

In general, Id reccomend you tried to mix/match the lubes to try and get a smooth, controllable, yet maintaining a relatively fast feeling imo.

For adjusting his cube, it depends on how he likes it. If he likes it loose or tight, and slow or fast is all up to him and his turning style - which will most likely change over time.

 

[Thomas.Caleb]

Congratulations to your son hope he's made lots of new friends and would love to compete again.

 

[L4NC3_D4_AS14N]

here’s what i did personally

I just used beginners method until about 30 seconds then i started learning 1-look PLL and intuitive F2L as well as 2-look OLL. Right now he just needs to get faster with the beginner’s method

I just grab a napkin, rubbing alcohol, then take the cube a part and wipe all the pieces.

When I was a beginner I didn’t know 2-look existed so I learned all pll (not g or n perms) BEFORE even learning intuitive f2l. I just used insert corner then insert edge algs.