Cross+1/XCross Planning

[CubeWizard23]

When you're planning your cross+1 or XCross, how do you keep the 8-10 moves straight in your head? Do you recite the actual moves, do you visualize it, do you just feel the finger tricks?

I've been working on Cross+1 planning and I can execute it at 90%+ when I take my time, but my execution is often pretty slow because I am stepping through the solution move by move, I'm trying to figure out how to be more fluid with it.

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

When you're planning your cross+1 or XCross, how do you keep the 8-10 moves straight in your head? Do you recite the actual moves, do you visualize it, do you just feel the finger tricks?

I don’t pay attention to movecount in an actual solve. That will almost always slow you down in any event. When you do enough solves, it should just come to you naturally. I just opt for first pairs that are good from my experience (like a free pair, 5 mover, a spammable 7 mover, etc). If you do enough untimed solves where you count the moves of your xcross/cross+1, that will naturally reflect onto your actual solving because your mind already developed a habit of which pairs to go for, or which solutions to choose.

I've been working on Cross+1 planning and I can execute it at 90%+ when I take my time, but my execution is often pretty slow because I am stepping through the solution move by move, I'm trying to figure out how to be more fluid with it.

The solution is simple: just do the solution you planned.
It’s faster to be confident in a 12 move c+1 compared to trying to have a 9 move c+1 with a hesitant exec. Going through your solution step-by-step just to make sure your c+1/xc is 10 moves is like trying to make sure your solves are 55 moves every single time. You just have to trust in your planned solution.

 

[Jared Burkhart]

For me, while my xcross is not as optimal as it should be, I favor it because I plan 2x2x2 block, then just track where the rest of the cross is and transition to f2l. I am still working on it, but xcross is easy for me to plan and I don't worry about move count usually. I try to focus on smooth transition from one stage to another.