F2l the key

[Inusagi]

Some people say that f2l is the key, and I should practise on that. Is it just to solve the cube very many times to get better f2l? Or is it a better method? Because I don't want to solve the cube and hope I got better f2l without getting it.

 

[Leo]

F2L definitely is the key. It seems as though you aren't completely sure what F2L even is, so I don't know how you expected to train it . F2L is the first two layers of the cube. It is also the step that usually takes the most time during a solve for people. If you don't already I suggest you learn to put in the corner and edge of the (I'm assuming you use layer by layer or fridrich) first two layers at the same time, if you feel comfortable enough putting them in seperately.

If you already insert them both at the same time then I just wasted my time typing that . Then I suggest you practice solving slowly to practice looking ahead. Know where your next CE pair is while you are putting another in. It also wouldn't hurt to learn a few of the optimal algs for f2l, but even that isn't necessary, intuitive F2L should work very well on its own.

 

[badmephisto]

F2L really is the key, and it will be the major source of your success as a speedcuber. Most of your time decreases stem directly from your improvement in this stage. In the beginning, it takes around 40-50 seconds, but it can be reduced all the way down to 8-10 seconds or even lower! Think about PLL's : In the beginning most of them take 6 seconds, but by the end the best you can do is around 2-3. It is the same with OLL's.
If you really want to get better, F2L is what you should practice.

 

[Inusagi]

F2L really is the key, and it will be the major source of your success as a speedcuber. Most of your time decreases stem directly from your improvement in this stage. In the beginning, it takes around 40-50 seconds, but it can be reduced all the way down to 8-10 seconds or even lower! Think about PLL's : In the beginning most of them take 6 seconds, but by the end the best you can do is around 2-3. It is the same with OLL's.
If you really want to get better, F2L is what you should practice.

Well, I have heard that before and I know. The question was how to get better f2l? My average is about 21 sec, an it doesn't seem to be much better.

 

[badmephisto]

F2L progress slows down eventually. There really are no tricks I'm afraid. The only real trick that we keep emphasizing is that you should occasionally solve the F2L SLOWLY instead of fast, to get better at looking ahead. This is where most of your improvements will come in now, if you are at 21 seconds. Looking ahead is very important. You should be quite comfortable doing a corner/edge insertion. While you are doing it, try looking for the next pair. Track corners/edges with your eyes as they move around the cube, and try to have smooth transitions from one pair to another.
sorry i cant help more, there isnt really anything else i can think of.

 

[Dene]

I would recommend this site (Macky's) for some useful F2L tips: http://cubefreak.net/speedcubing_tips.html

 

[Lotsofsloths]

Well, I have heard that before and I know. The question was how to get better f2l? My average is about 21 sec, an it doesn't seem to be much better.

Your F2L is 21 seconds?
or your whole solve is 21 seconds?

If its 21 seconds for F2L, I get around that also and average 27 seconds.
And I can't seem to get better, well at least I think, but I know I am, I'm learning new cases every day.

If you whole solve is 21 seconds, then I don't know what to tell you, i'm not quite there yet >.<

 

[AlexandertheGreat]

I probably get around a 12 second f2l right now and I can say that looking ahead is definitely the most important part in decreasing your f2l times. If you already know what pair you're going to solve next, things will move a lot more smoothly. Also, right now I'm learning some optimal algs for special cases, such as open slot cases (basically a regular f2l case you might see except another slot that is open is used to help solve the pair in less moves). The way I see it, the less moves you have to do for f2l, the better.

 

[Inusagi]

Well, I have heard that before and I know. The question was how to get better f2l? My average is about 21 sec, an it doesn't seem to be much better.

Your F2L is 21 seconds?
or your whole solve is 21 seconds?

If its 21 seconds for F2L, I get around that also and average 27 seconds.
And I can't seem to get better, well at least I think, but I know I am, I'm learning new cases every day.

If you whole solve is 21 seconds, then I don't know what to tell you, i'm not quite there yet >.<

The WHOLE SOLVE is on 21 sec.

 

[dRaGoN]

Well if your whole solve is already 21..that means your f2l isn't too terribly slow. It's all about looking ahead, but once you get to around sub 20, progress slows down quite a lot. I'm not the best one to judge though since I'm not there yet, but I've heard that slowing down and going nonstop is the best way.