Best ZBLL Recognition Methods

[EvanCuber]

So I've finished with PLL and OLL (technically I have 4 OLL algorithms left that I am really reluctant to learn) and so now I am moving on to ZBLL. I've decided to start with T-ZBLL and all the resources I've found say I should recognize the case by recognizing the COLL case and then look at the position of the UFR edges to identify the case. But I've found it easier to to look at the pattern of the blocks on the U layer (kind of like PLL recognition). Is this a good way to do it? Or should I make a habit out of the first way of doing it?

 

[abunickabhi]

There are various systems to recognise ZBLL cases.

Chris Tran has a good video where he gave a seminar in US Nats, where he explained about the existence of some of the systems to recognize.
Like recognition blocks, or recognizing it like a corner twisted PLL or recognising it as a COLL specific case.

 

[Cubing Forever]

So I've finished with PLL and OLL (technically I have 4 OLL algorithms left that I am really reluctant to learn) and so now I am moving on to ZBLL. I've decided to start with T-ZBLL and all the resources I've found say I should recognize the case by recognizing the COLL case and then look at the position of the UFR edges to identify the case. But I've found it easier to to look at the pattern of the blocks on the U layer (kind of like PLL recognition). Is this a good way to do it? Or should I make a habit out of the first way of doing it?

I'd say recognizing the ZBLL as a twisted corner PLL is the best for T, U and L cases. for H and Pi, It's best to just recog the COLL+ patterns.
(I don't really have that much of experience using ZBLL since I know only the T set and some other random easy algs from other sets so someone experienced like @PapaSmurf or @GenTheThief might prove me wrong lol)

 

[Waffles]

Personally, from the few I know, I use COLL case, and then blocks, although I only know like 15-20 cases.

 

[OreKehStrah]

Use twisty PLL recognition. The way you’re supposed to do it is you recognize the OCLL then CP so you know what kinda of twisted PLL the ZB case is (EPLL, Diag, or Adj). Then you mentally twist the UFR or UFL corner and look at the that mentally twisted corner and the two adjacent edges and recognize the case like a PLL since you recognize the 1x2x2 block in relation to the headlights (if they exist).

 

[Tao Yu]

I'm a fan of block recognition.

I think there is definitely more than one viable recognition method for ZBLL. If you find that a certain method works for you, you should consider that you might just be right and everyone else is wrong. However there are a couple of things I believe very strongly about recognition:

• It's really really important to do a lot of training on ZBLL scrambles (Use either my trainer or https://bestsiteever.ru/zbll/). You have to get used to recognizing under the conditions of a real solve. This gives you a sense of what the real difficulties of recognition are on the practical level and gives you a chance to understand for yourself what works and what doesn't, and why.
• You should take advantage of easy angles. In my opinion, for certain cases from certain angles, block recognition is way better than everything else. So for those cases you should just use block recognition, even if you find you generally prefer e.g twisted PLL recognition. In general I think it's good to use different recognition methods depending on the case and angle. If you train a lot you might find yourself naturally picking up a range of different techniques.
• No case should be learned in isolation. You need to know the differences between any given case to all the cases that look somewhat similar. Oftentimes I find process of elimination is a very reasonable way to recognize cases. Again, training is the best way to learn about these things.

Edit: Although, considering you still at a level where you haven't learned full OLL, probably you don't need to get overzealous of having a completely optimal ZBLL recognition system. If you just have one method that works, that will probably be enough for T-ZBLLs to be faster in solves. As time goes on you can fix up your recognition and learn more angles etc.

 

[OreKehStrah]

I agree. I prefer block recognition but it’s harder for some angles than others. Realistically, most people that are good at ZBLL are using a combination of recognition systems at once, whether intentionally or subconsciously.

 

[ruffleduck]

I would recommend twisty PLL recognition. Not only is it a consistent system that lets you recognize from any angle, but also it makes it a lot easier to categorize the cases. It's also good to recognize blocks and look for patterns for some cases, so that you can more quickly determine the case without having to mentally twist the corners.

You might want to check out my thread on naming ZBLL's after PLL

Also please do check out my WIP ZBLL sheet, which has algs I carefully picked out and is organized specifically for twisty PLL users.

 

[Harrychink]

The sheet isn't quite working for me, I can only see t and u

I would recommend twisty PLL recognition. Not only is it a consistent system that lets you recognize from any angle, but also it makes it a lot easier to categorize the cases. It's also good to recognize blocks and look for patterns for some cases, so that you can more quickly determine the case without having to mentally twist the corners.

You might want to check out my thread on naming ZBLL's after PLL

Also please do check out my WIP ZBLL sheet, which has algs I carefully picked out and is organized specifically for twisty PLL users.

 

[bluecubing]

The sheet isn't quite working for me, I can only see t and u

What a bump

 

[Harrychink]

@ruffleduck

The sheet isn't quite working for me, I can only see t and u

 

[OtaMota]

Now that this is bumped, what about BH?

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

Now that this is bumped, what about BH?

i’m personally learning BH and I think it’s a lot more reliable than blocks (I used to use blocks for recog when I was learning ZBLL a few months ago)

 

[AJT17]

Now that this is bumped, what about BH?

I think I did a pretty good job explaining BH here since it was asked a bit ago too. As well as some general ZB info too.

Post in thread 'How to learn ZBLL'

Jul 17, 2025

uhh so i am quite confused because i’ve seen people saying to learn COLL as a “stepping stone” to learn full ZBLL. What’s a good way to learn ZBLL efficiently? Should I go straight into learning ZBLLs or should i learn some other alg set first?

Learning COLL as a stepping stone isn't really a great idea from my experience. The only thing you gain from it is recognising the CP (Corner Permutation) but that can be learnt without COLL. Most of the COLL algs are just slower for 2H solving compared to the standard OLL alg, and COLL only really has use in OH where EPLL's are just so much...

• AJT17

• 
• 

 

[ruffleduck]

@ruffleduck

I no longer maintain the sheet. It's been 4 years

 

[EvanCuber1]

So I've finished with PLL and OLL (technically I have 4 OLL algorithms left that I am really reluctant to learn) and so now I am moving on to ZBLL. I've decided to start with T-ZBLL and all the resources I've found say I should recognize the case by recognizing the COLL case and then look at the position of the UFR edges to identify the case. But I've found it easier to to look at the pattern of the blocks on the U layer (kind of like PLL recognition). Is this a good way to do it? Or should I make a habit out of the first way of doing it?

omg my twin

 

[bldcuber314]

omg my twin

More like the reason you had to add a 1 next to your username after EvanCuber didn't get accepted

 

[EvanCuber1]

More like the reason you had to add a 1 next to your username after EvanCuber didn't get accepted

troo

 

[Harrychink]

I no longer maintain the sheet. It's been 4 years

Is there a working version i can use?