Breaking Out

[Chamkey]

I have searched the thread and I'm not sure if I'm wording it wrong but I can't find exactly what I'm looking for. It's more like in bits and pieces so please admins, don't delete this...

I've been cubing for about 2 years on and off but I just can't seem to get past my block. It's like I have this weight on my mind and I can't seem to shake it off.

My block is this:
First: I've been trying to learn full fridrich but almost always during my f2l I get caught up in the beginners method. I've learned the intuitive steps from badmephisto's site and I know how to apply them but again I always revert back to my beginners method. If you guys can please help me get away from this annoying habit I would really appreciate it.

Second: I've learned the 21 pll's but I just can't seem to recognize a few of the cases fast enough. I look at the cube and wonder... "Umm... which one should I use now." Sure there are the obvious ones like the T, J, A, Y, U, H, F and V perms. But the ones I seem to get almost constantly are the G-perms those are absolute terrors to see in the cube itself. Any way I could do this?

Third: Even after 2 years of practice with the cube I don't feel my movement speed and look ahead get any better. Each of my plls take me around 3 to four seconds to complete and I know that this is seriously bad. I have no idea how to train my look ahead at all. I've looked for videos and only come up with very unhelpful advice. I've learned the finger tricks and everything. I know how to move my cube but I don't know how to move it quick enough. What am I doing wrong?

I've read so many topics on how people have sub 25 and sub 20 speeds within the first few months of cubing and I feel myself stagnating after 2 years. My speeds have lingered on the 45s, 50s and 1 minute marks for as long as I've been cubing. Sure the first month of cubing saw me drop my speeds from 2 minutes to the 50 second mark but after that it was a slow bake in the oven. I have no idea how to break through this wall and I would love for you guys to PLEASE help me. Thank you and God Bless

 

[vcuber13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbH4ay6Db24&feature=g-u-u

 

[Ninja Storm]

How often do you practice? I'm sub-15 after 9 months, but I put about four hours of cubing in per day(30-60 minutes on SS during classes, 2 hours of timing, 30 minutes hardware, 30 minutes of messing around/Skype racing). If you put in a lot of work, you should be getting better. Also, work in stages. Spend one hour every day just messing with F2L. Since it's the summer, it shouldn't be that hard to do that.


^That Thrawst video above me is good, use it for the PLLs.

 

[cubenut99]

You are thinking about it way to much. Just learn F2L and 2-look oll and practice PLL.

 

[Chamkey]

Lol @ ninjastorm... It's winter here... I live in South Africa... I'm freezing my fingers off just typing this out...

 

[Joël]

I've been trying to learn full fridrich but almost always during my f2l I get caught up in the beginners method.

Sounds like you used beginners method a lot before learning F2L. Spend time doing the F2L algs slowly. Spend time learning the F2L's from every angle. Spend time finding new shortcuts. Spend time solving the cube without a timer, counting the number of moves, and try to minimize the move count.

Second: I've learned the 21 pll's but I just can't seem to recognize a few of the cases fast enough. I look at the cube and wonder... "Umm... which one should I use now." Sure there are the obvious ones like the T, J, A, Y, U, H, F and V perms. But the ones I seem to get almost constantly are the G-perms those are absolute terrors to see in the cube itself. Any way I could do this?

Study each pattern. See how it looks like from 2 sides. If there's another case that looks just like it, put the two cases next to each other and figure out how you can distinguish between the cases. You have to study these patterns without even turning the cube. Then next time you see the pattern in a solve, hopefull you'll remember where to look.

You can also try learning algs for cases from different angles. Usually you can recognise a case better if you can solve it from that angle, so the more algs for different angles you know, the better (for recognition at least).

Third: Even after 2 years of practice with the cube I don't feel my movement speed and look ahead get any better.

Watch videos to get inspired. Try to meet other cubers. I don't know if there are many cubers in South Africa though... But I feel that one of the things that helped me is to always have fast cubers around me.

Third: Even after 2 years of practice with the cube I don't feel my movement speed and look ahead get any better.

Try doing a cross, then look at the cube for a long time (as long as you need) to figure out all the moves that you need to do to solve 2 pairs. Once you know them, apply them, and try to make it 'flow'. Then repeat for the other 2 pairs. Do this for a bunch of cubes in a row. It will probably be hard, but I am sure it will help.

Some people have tried with a metronome (try to make a move with each tick), but that didn't really do much for me... But maybe you can try.

 

[god of rubic 2]

Block 1.
Try to focus fully on F2L and try to ignore the habits of the beginner method. Spend lots of time on F2L and you'll adjust to the change.

Block 2.
My PLL's used to be about the same time as you, but after a long time of using PLL's is probably to get faster on them. The more you use the algs the more easier it is for you to perform them quickly. (I can sub 3 all PLL's except one N perm..)

Block 3.
Practise, learn new tricks and shortcuts. Practise intuitive F2L, advanced cross, try to get your last layer as quick as possible. Practise recognition on certain cases and practise, practise and practise.

 

[JianhanC]

Right now you should be doing slow solves, don't worry about the time at all. Just pause before every stage/F2L pair and look for ways to solve it using less moves/no rotation/influence the next stage. Just do loads of them while on the loo, eating, watching TV and so on.

 

[kocsenc]

OLD HABITS DIE HARD MY FRIEND!

I think your a case of BEGGINERITIS. AKA, you have been too into the begging method, and that's where your times are hurting you. I think many people would agree that the last layer isn't the issue, an alg or two will get you there, its the F2l that really marks your time. Its not easy but practice F2L. Thats my advice.

 

[Chamkey]

Thank you guys. You don't know how grateful I am for your advice. Vcuber13 that vid is an absolute godsend, I thank you so much for that.

@Joel... No there aren't many cubers down here in South Africa. I only met one guy a long time ago (7 years to be precise) and if I remember correctly he was pretty slow. I think it took him about 5 or 6 minutes with a store bought cube (a present from my ex).
There hasn't been a single tournament down here (as far as I can tell). Which means I'm stuck here all alone without anyone faster to push me along.

Sorry to everyone if I came across as a bit whiny and once again thanks for all your great advice. I will start implementing them right now. Have a nice day everyone

 

[aznanimedude]

everyone starts somewhere and hits roadblocks, at least you are motivated to at least surpass those walls which is commendable. This is a great place to find inspiration IMO, alot of awesome amazing cubers here