Getting faster at F2L

[Killer128]

My F2L seems to be stuck at around 25 seconds to complete (without cross) I seem to have trouble lowering its time. Is there any tricks I can use to speed it up? If anyone can tell me some ways to get faster that would be cool =) Oh yea im using Fridrichs method or however you spell it =)

--Zach

 

[Todd]

Ironically, to speed it up you might want to slow it down.

It might not make sense but take the F2L slow, or slow enough so that while you are pairing up one corner and edge you can find the next pair (as you do it) so you can execute that set of moves with out having to pause and look

I have a video somewhere of a sub-20 solve (thats good for me), when i watch it back, because i could see the first 2 pairs i executed them as quickly as i could then i wasted about 3 or 4 seconds in just 'looking' with the next 2.

Sometimes if you go to quick you also dont necessarily see the best way to pair them up aswell.

And also just practice or learn different scenarios, personally i do it all intuitively.

 

[gavnasty]

this todd speaks the truth. slowing down and learning how to anticipate the next pair is a good way to speed up your f2l

 

[badmephisto]

yep. 25 seconds is about the right time to slow down occasionally when u practice. Helped me a lot too

 

[hdskull]

Lol, I got a very good single time yesterday, 13.79, my 2nd best with no steps skipped. I didn't realize it was that fast until I saw the timer, and looking back at the video, the F2L movements weren't fast.

Practice as if you need to solve the cube w/o pausing at all, if you pause, drop the cube, rescramble, and start over until you get rid of the habit of pausing. Slowly, you time will speed up. (I always tell people to do this and it works, though i'm a big hypocrite as I never really done this myself, haha)

here's the video if you want to see it:

 

[TimMc]

Slow Down
- When you find the first F2L pair don't spend all your time and concentration on forcing your fingers to execute the move as fast as you can
- Memorize the algorithm needed and just execute it at a comfortable pace
- Think about the next corner and edge pair that you want to insert

Look Ahead
- The easiest corner/edge pair to insert may not be the most convenient
- Take a look at the state of the cube and locate some corners and edges
- Try to find two pairs that you can do quickly and do them
- While executing the 2nd one think about the 3rd and so on

Optimal Algorithms
- Don't get stuck into a habit of using the same algorithm for F2L for every corner/edge pair
- Use the most optimal algorithm for the situation <-- intuitive after lots of practice

Tim.

 

[Radu]

@hdskull ...true...the f2l isn't that fast..but it's smooth and without pause...i wish i'll get there anytime soom

 

[hdskull]

@hdskull ...true...the f2l isn't that fast..but it's smooth and without pause...i wish i'll get there anytime soom

Don't worry, you will. That was like a perfect solve for me, I don't usually get that, haha.

 

[dRaGoN]

Lol that solve looked so much like one of Nakajima's slow solves. About the same time too. Pretty funny how Nakajima can barely try and beat most of us.

 

[hdskull]

Yea, them top peeps, haha. Well, our slow solves (mine are around 23-25) can beat others, lol.

 

[fourdown00]

I am having the same trouble, I have decided to slow it down and figure out how to solve without pauses..I do it intuitively

 

[jackolanternsoup]

quick question i don't want to start a new thread for, is it normal to use around 3 to around 8 or 9 moves to complete a fridrich corner? Or am i very in-efficient...

 

[Radu]

for your level( i see in your signature) i think it's ok
cross: 7
4corners: 4*8=32
that'd be about 40moves let's say.
i think it's fine. if you do the whole cube in 60 moves i think it's quite ok for your level..
but imo if you con do the cube in 60 moves you should have much faster times.

 

[Kemp_Drumsalot]

I am also having trouble getting faster times at this as well. I have been taking the F2L pretty slowly, but it still takes me about 45 seconds to complete. Any tips or do I just need more practice? I'm also working on the last layer using the 11 algorithms, but I need to finish memorizing them.

**EDIT**
Also can anyone tell me what this last layer way of solving is called?