Cross sub-60.Suggestions!!!

[ManuK]

Hi all,
Just crossed 60 sec mark on 5th October.Now i avg below 55 sec,with 49 sec best.(I dont time usually,this is as of 11 Oct).
Anyway, i am using 4-look LL right now with fridrich F2L.

I'm right now doing slowsolving and try to track pieces while solving F2L, but not having much luck.(Only if i go very slow,ie above 110 sec,can i track).For solving cross,i used to do 'D' moves..now started doing 'u' so that i can see where the F2L pairs are located in advance.

Also am very slow at solving cross(avg 7-9 sec).
I always start by forming white cross.Should i practise with the opposite colour now?

Also when would be the right time to start learning blindfolded?
( Dont understand completely the last-look algos,does it come automatically, or should i start studying the rubik's cube math involved?)..

Also should i start learning the other methods(roux,petrus)? Or would it interfere with my learning the Fridrich?

Any SUGGESTIONS would be welcome.Sorry for the long post
Thanks in advance..

 

[Brett]

First, congrats on crossing the minute mark. I remember it, it's a fun feeling.

What 4 look last layer are you doing? Hopefully it's something like
1. Orient (flip) edges.
2. Orient (twist) corners.
3. Permute corners
4. Permute edges.

In order to look ahead, you really need to be able to do your intuitive moves without looking at the pieces you're solving. Once you can see one pair, think about what to do with it, then do it without looking. If you can do that, then it should be easier to track the next pair. Most people do not time themselves when they do slow solves, since you're not going for time, you're going for no pauses during your F2L.

7-9 seconds is normal for someone around a minute. You don't need to be able to do it on more then one side, some people think it helps, but some don't. White is a pretty popular color.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ would be helpful.

Blindfolded can be possible at any time, but it'd be easier once you know more PLLs, then you won't have to learn more algorithms for it.

Most people pick one method and stick to it. Learning a new one won't ruin your fridrich solving, but it may take you an average of 5 to be back to your normal speed.

 

[Waynilein]

When I read the title, I thought you were trying to solve the cross in 60 seconds o.O

If your average is below 1 minute, you're probably ready to start learning 2 look LL (most people learn PLL first, but it's your choice). No need to rush it, 1 alg a day is a fairly comfortable pace.

As for blindsolving, you can learn whenever you feel like it. Old Pochmann method is fairly easy to learn (see badmephisto's tutorials ond youtube) and you could theoretically do it with just one alg. Memorization might be a problem at first, I'm still learning it myself so I can't give much advice.

As for different solving methods, it doesn't take long to learn one. I myself did a few dozen solves to try out Fridrich, Petrus, Heise and Roux before finally settling for ZZ. Experiment as much as possible to find the one that's right for you.

 

[blah]

Read Chris Hardwick's cross page (it's on speedcubing.com), then you'll understand the immense benefits of doing opposite cross and x-cross. Too few people do opposite cross, really. If it helps in motivating you, Erik does opposite cross solving. (And so do I )

And when I say do it, I mean do it. Don't try to do it. I think I've gotta make myself clearer: Don't have a preferred color, make both yellow and white your preferred colors, like there's zero difference in your solves with either color. Some people claim to be "color neutral, but prefer white cross", that's not color neutral at all imo, because you're faster with one color than with others.

 

[cookingfat]

As for blindsolving, you can learn whenever you feel like it. Old Pochmann method is fairly easy to learn (see badmephisto's tutorials ond youtube)

yes, learn blindfold whenever you want, I've only been cubing 6 weeks and I learnt blindfold in one day, I actually find it more fun than speedcubing

 

[ManuK]

Thanks a lot guys/gals.
U all have been so helpful,i was under the impression that blindfold was a bit tough for beginners.
@Waynilein,
Abt the thread title,i mistakenly created two threads, the title of this thread was meant to be "Reached sub-60 mark,Suggestions" or "Suggestion".

Now i've got two threads.But the suggestions from both threads have been extremely useful.Once again,i thank you all.

 

[hawkmp4]

If your average is below 1 minute, you're probably ready to start learning 2 look LL (most people learn PLL first, but it's your choice). No need to rush it, 1 alg a day is a fairly comfortable pace.

I couldn't disagree more. 2LLL is completely unnecessary at this point and wouldn't benefit him until he was completely done. 4LLL is a manageable amount of algorithms and can easily give sub-30 times with some practice.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry about learning anything more until you're very comfortable with your method now, and you only have momentary pauses in between steps, no matter how fast you are.

 

[Neutrals01]

I did must first blindfold solve when I was around average 1 minute 10 seconds... blindfold and speedsolving are like 2 different category... for what I think, after beginner method(at least u have a basic idea on cubing)>> then u can either go for advance speedsolving methods or blindfold methods.. I learned blindfold first before I learn fridrich.. blindfold took less time to learn than fridrich..

for the 2 look LL...I don't think it's important, I am using 3 look LL for 2 months now and already got my average 26~28 seconds..main thing is improve ur f2l... because last layer wouldn't take much of ur time... from 4 look LL to 2 look LL..lets say maximum reduce by 7~9 seconds? but from LBL to f2l able to reduce up to 15~20 seconds(my LBL part alone was 30~35 seconds, and now changed to f2l and around 15~17 seconds for cross + f2l)..