[Help Thread] CFOP Discussion

You're pausing a lot, which means you need to work on lookahead.
My suggestion is that you do slow solves where you turn as slowly as necessary to not pause, as well as do solves where you plan out as much of each step as you can and do it blind (Like cross+1, next two pairs, last pair + OLL, etc.).

Just remember that learning algorithms and substeps is only half the battle, the rest is practice.
 
Okay so yeah I know kinda generic question, but I am just starting to work on my lookahead. I have been introduced to many different practice techniques and stuff, and want your guys opinion on something. If you look at cubefreak http://cubefreak.net/speed/articles/lookahead.php and his article on lookahead, he talks a lot about edge orientation and corner orientation, do you believe I should be learning these things first, and other major things like that before I start learning with a metronome, and looking for pairs? Any sources for lookahead f2l you could give me?

Thanks in advance~
 
RennuR said:
Okay so yeah I know kinda generic question, but I am just starting to work on my lookahead. I have been introduced to many different practice techniques and stuff, and want your guys opinion on something. If you look at cubefreak http://cubefreak.net/speed/articles/lookahead.php and his article on lookahead, he talks a lot about edge orientation and corner orientation, do you believe I should be learning these things first, and other major things like that before I start learning with a metronome, and looking for pairs? Any sources for lookahead f2l you could give me?

Thanks in advance~
Click to expand...

I didn't read the whole guide, but the "corner bias" is a technique I've heard about before. Conrad Rider's coracle is a actually really fun. I just tried it and got all 10 in 25s after about 10-12 tries. It was surprisingly hard. This mainly reduces rotations, which is pretty helpful.

I use ZZ, so I don't deal with in-solve orientation issues, but @Smiles recently posted a nice video about edge orientation/lookahead/rotations. You may want to check that out:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-you-can-use-eo-to-improve-f2l-lookahead.62781/

I personally found using a metronome was rather clumsy, and didn't find it productive. I do suggest that you give it a try, just to see if it helps you.

I think the hardest thing about lookahead is literally looking ahead. I often forget to and solve my block , pause, and solve my next block.
Actively focus on lookahead during a solve helps more than it seems.

Cyo made a good video on lookahead, but nothing really new though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjS3B529B8g

I'm pretty sure Paradox cubing and Critical cubing also made videos on lookahead, though I haven't seen either. If cyo's video doesn't click, maybe their's will.

I hope this answered your questions!
 
GenTheThief said:
I didn't read the whole guide, but the "corner bias" is a technique I've heard about before. Conrad Rider's coracle is a actually really fun. I just tried it and got all 10 in 25s after about 10-12 tries. It was surprisingly hard. This mainly reduces rotations, which is pretty helpful.

I use ZZ, so I don't deal with in-solve orientation issues, but @Smiles recently posted a nice video about edge orientation/lookahead/rotations. You may want to check that out:
https://www.speedsolving.com/forum/threads/how-you-can-use-eo-to-improve-f2l-lookahead.62781/

I personally found using a metronome was rather clumsy, and didn't find it productive. I do suggest that you give it a try, just to see if it helps you.

I think the hardest thing about lookahead is literally looking ahead. I often forget to and solve my block , pause, and solve my next block.
Actively focus on lookahead during a solve helps more than it seems.

Cyo made a good video on lookahead, but nothing really new though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjS3B529B8g

I'm pretty sure Paradox cubing and Critical cubing also made videos on lookahead, though I haven't seen either. If cyo's video doesn't click, maybe their's will.

I hope this answered your questions!
Click to expand...

Thanks man, very much appreciated!
 
I'm a sub 32 seconds... my Cross is around 5-6 seconds and f2l takes 15-18 seconds and rest is oll( 2- look )and I know almost all Plls except G perms...

I use a Moyu Aolong v2 and My new Valk 3 is on the way.... how can I get a sub 20.

My main concern is with the f2l... my look ahead is bad... when I'm doing one pair... im not able to find a new pair.... so I just track a corner while doing a pair and when I'm done I search for its corresponding Edge and pair them... I'm able to solve a given pair blind at most of the time... please help me... I have a competition in 2 Months...All I want is a sub 20.
 
Ashish said:
I'm a sub 32 seconds... my Cross is around 5-6 seconds and f2l takes 15-18 seconds and rest is oll( 2- look )and I know almost all Plls except G perms...

I use a Moyu Aolong v2 and My new Valk 3 is on the way.... how can I get a sub 20.

My main concern is with the f2l... my look ahead is bad... when I'm doing one pair... im not able to find a new pair.... so I just track a corner while doing a pair and when I'm done I search for its corresponding Edge and pair them... I'm able to solve a given pair blind at most of the time... please help me... I have a competition in 2 Months...All I want is a sub 20.
Click to expand...

You really can't go wrong with this post. There's a reason why it's stickied.

Your cross is fine, it's your F2L that's holding you back. Concentrate on not looking at the pair you're solving, instead try to look around the cube and find other pieces. Don't time your solves, just play with the cube. The more you do this, the easier you will find it to ignore what you're currently solving, and look at the next pair.

Good luck.
 
pipkiksass said:
You really can't go wrong with this post. There's a reason why it's stickied.

Your cross is fine, it's your F2L that's holding you back. Concentrate on not looking at the pair you're solving, instead try to look around the cube and find other pieces. Don't time your solves, just play with the cube. The more you do this, the easier you will find it to ignore what you're currently solving, and look at the next pair.

Good luck.
Click to expand...


Okay.. I'm actually pretty good at look ahead while Im slow... but when I'm timing myself... I tend to go faster and my look ahead doesn't work.... any tips on finding pairs while going fast?
 
Ashish said:
Okay.. I'm actually pretty good at look ahead while Im slow... but when I'm timing myself... I tend to go faster and my look ahead doesn't work.... any tips on finding pairs while going fast?
Click to expand...
Dude, you're gonna hear the same thing over and over again, because it's the only way.
Slow down to practice lookahead and practice it until you can find pairs faster and faster. It just happens the more you do it, there is no trick to it.

When timing yourself, you said you tend to go faster and lookahead doesn't work. Look ahead DOES work, you're just not good enough to do it at the speed you're trying to do. So when timing yourself, here's a good idea: don't go fast. Force yourself to slow down. Nobody here can physically force you to slow down on timed solved, so that your lookahead is better.

When people slow down and get great lookahead, they get better times. If they try to speed through because they are timed, they will always be slower solves, than if you had just slowed down to lookahead (assuming you're not sub10 or so). I know it makes no sense, but that's just how important lookahead is.
 
hi fellow speedcubers,
This is my first post. I was wondering if u could answer some questions. Currently I'm avg 20 or 25 with cfop. I know full pll and look ahead. And f2l too . Now what should I do to cut my timing. Also what subsets are the best to learn and most useful.



I use a gouguan yuexiao.
 
Start learning oll, try other methods (zz roux pcms etc) be able to do cross or most of cross blind, you may know look ahead but you still need to improve it, your cube seems ok.

Finally just a little tip beware of the grammar nazis who are coming to rip you apart soon...
 
I have been cubing for a few months, and I'm at the 50-60 second mark (on I'd 44) and I'd like to know how to get faster. I've watched NUMEROUS videos and they all say to slow solve to practice f2l. Can anyone go more in depth on how to get faster at the 3x3?
Thanks
 
Try to do your F2L without turning the cube around to hold it in a more comfortable position. You should be able to do those edge/corner pairs from any angle.

Also, plan your next pair during your last turns of your current pair insertion.

Also, use 2-look OLL and learn all 21 PLL algorithms.

I wish you the best.
 
Dom said:
Try to do your F2L without turning the cube around to hold it in a more comfortable position. You should be able to do those edge/corner pairs from any angle.

Also, plan your next pair during your last turns of your current pair insertion.

Also, use 2-look OLL and learn all 21 PLL algorithms.

I wish you the best.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I know 2-look OLL and 4 or 5 PLLs, but I thought not all PLLs show up with two look OLL?

Ok!
FastCubeMaster said:
Practice. Super simple but it works.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
pcwiz said:
PDF Version of this Guide - March 23, 2013

Welcome! This thread will be a guide to help you get faster at solving the Rubik’s Cube using the popular Fridrich/CFOP method. Please read this thread and do some forum searching prior to asking questions about becoming faster.

First off, the most important factor is practice. No matter what method you use, or how many algorithms you know, you need to practice a lot to progress. With practice, you will be able to turn the cube faster, recognize cases ore quickly, and just in general gain a better understanding of the cube. You can even get sub 20 averages with a beginner’s method - but only if you practice a lot. No other factor is more important. So if you’re getting stuck, chances are you aren’t practicing enough!

Of course, we want to know to know how to practice to find the most efficient way to improve. Here are some basics steps to help you get faster. You do not have to follow these steps, as they are only meant to guide you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 1
Current Average: 1:30+ or don't know how to solve a Rubik's Cube
Goal Average: 1:00-1:19

Learn how to solve the cube from here: Badmephisto's Youtube Video Tutorial He teaches you a simplified version of CFOP that will help you easily progress later on.
NOTE: It is possible to achieve below one minute with this method, just by practicing. If you are still stuck, follow these tips:
  • Get a better cube. Cubes like the Dayan ZhanChi and Dayan GuHong v2 are great – they allow for effortless turning and corner cutting. Lubricate your cube too – a decent method is using silicone spray, but using silicone oil is better.
  • Use finger tricks (this will speed up your times A LOT). You can become better at finger tricks by practicing.
  • Decrease your last layer time (to about 25 seconds or less) - you can do this by improving your recognition and execution for each case (to do this you must practice)
  • Try to reduce pauses, meaning, try to never stop turning during your solve. This can be done by practicing a lot!
  • Work on the cross. Try to do the cross in 12 moves or less, and under 12 seconds. Here is a link that will help you achieve/learn this (and then practice it a lot): http://cubefreak.net/speed/cfop/cross.php
  • Practice - The more you practice, the faster you'll become
  • Once you get a little used to the beginner method, you can also try inserting the first layer/side corners from different angles. See Macky's guide: http://cubefreak.net/speed/cfop/f2l_extensions.php
  • Use a timer to see your progression: You can use web based timers or PC timers.
Estimated Time: 2-4 weeks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 2
Current Average: 1:00-1:19
Goal Average: 40-49 seconds

Learning 4 Look Last Layer (4LLL). This means solving the last layer in 4 steps – consisting of Orienting the Last Layer in 2 steps (2 Look OLL), and Permuting the Last Layer in 2 steps (2 Look PLL).

2 Look OLL
  • Edge Orientation - 3 algorithms (technically 2)
  • Corner Orientation - 7 algorithms
2 Look PLL
  • Corner Permutation - 2 Algorithms Aa/Ab and E/V/Y/Na/Nb
  • Edge Permutation - 4 algorithms - Ua, Ub, Z, H
Here are some links explaining how to use the 4LLL (2 Look OLL + 2 Look PLL) algorithms for your last layer:
Estimated Time: 2-4 weeks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 3
Current Average: 40-49 seconds
Goal Average: 30-39 seconds

  • Now learn intuitive First Two Layers (F2L).
  • Your times will temporarily worsen, but after a few days of practicing, they will significantly become better!
  • Practice your F2L A LOT, and never give up!
Estimated Time: 2-4 weeks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 4
Current Average: 30-39 seconds
Goal Average: 20-29 seconds

  • Now, learn the rest of the PLL algorithms. Full PLL is 21 Algorithms (you have already learned 7 algorithms for 2-Look PLL) (Links where to learn the algorithms are at the bottom of this guide).
  • Learn how to look ahead during F2L - this will TREMENDOUSLY help your times. Looking ahead is one of the most important aspects of improving.
Estimated Time: 2-6 weeks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 5
Current Average: 20-29 seconds
Goal Average: 15-19 seconds

  • Practice your F2L, learn/make up your own techniques, and possibly learn some of the algorithms for odd cases. (Links where to learn the F2L algorithms are at the bottom of this guide) Also, remember to look ahead (this is EXTREMELY important)! Try to complete your cross and F2L in 12 seconds or less on average.
  • Work on improving your speed for your OLLs and PLLs. Use triggers, and try to get all of the algorithms under 3 seconds for recognition and execution.
  • Get your cross below 4 seconds consistently (make sure you solve the cross on the bottom of the cube.)

Estimated Time: 1-2 months

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 6
Current Average: Sub 20 Seconds
Goal Average: Below 15 seconds

  • Get your cross and F2L done in under 10 seconds
  • Get your cross done in ~2 seconds on average
  • Learn how to do Extended Cross (x-cross)
  • Learn the rest of the OLL algorithms - 57 algorithms (Note that learning the OLLs will only help you by 2 second or less)
  • To learn/memorize the OLL's easier look at Badmephisto's video
  • Practice, practice, and keep on practicing!!!
Estimated Time: 4+ months

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 7 (written by PoHos1)
Current Average: Below 15 Seconds
Goal Average: Sub10 or around 10

  • Practice a lot f2l try to allways see first pair in f2l (inspection time)
  • Get your cross done in about 1.5 seconds
  • Practice yours Extended Cross (x-cross)
  • learn all pll and oll about 1.5 seconds like your cross
  • (also you can learn COLL if you want some time can help )
  • Practice, practice, and keep on practicing!!!
Estimated Time: its only on you (at least 6 mounts)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F2L Algorithms:
OLL Algorithms:
PLL Algorithms:
You should print out your OLLs/PLLs so you can learn them and use them at any time. Keep in mind that you should choose the algorithms that best suit you. Just because one person is fast with an algorithm doesn't mean you will be fast with the same algorithm.

**The information provided in this thread was contributed by members in this post**
Click to expand...
i dont know what but you miss some minute thing in step 5 and 6
 
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