Getting Faster - Need heLP

[LaffyTaffyKidd]

I've had the rubik's cube for about 2 months now and I'm currently averaging 45 seconds in 10 solves. (I'm using Fridrich's)

I'm wondering if there is a way to improve my times without learning new algorithms. (or do I have to learn more algorithms in order to get faster?)

Please give me some ideas as to how can i break this 40-45 second barrier.

 

[Toojdwin]

Do you know all of Fridrich? As in, 2 look last layer? If so, speed just comes with practice. Try to look ahead as much as you can, especially during F2L., to minimize delays in between algs.

 

[hait2]

hey ltk, lets get faster together i used to average about 1:10 2 weeks ago, now i'm roughly in the 45sec average range that you were talking about

i think key to rapid improvement is to know where your biggest delays are, and it's pretty obvious for me ;p my cross sucks (~6-8sec) and my look-ahead on f2l sucks (theoretical 10-12sec, actual 25-30sec) so i've got my work cut out for me

as for the algorithm issue, i believe avgalen averages about 25sec with advanced keyhole and 4look last layer, so learning new algs isn't a priority i think

 

[LaffyTaffyKidd]

I know some F2L algorithms, but how do you look ahead?

and for the 2 look last layer, I'm not sure how you do that. Can someone explain to me please

 

[Erik]

Check out the regular sites, 2 Look LL is explained very well (OLL/PLL). Try to do the F2L intuitive, I've got a helping vid for that at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM

 

[LaffyTaffyKidd]

Ty, that's a nice video of yours. I'll try to practice on the intuitive F2L.

But I have a question about the 2 look LL. Does 2 look LL stand for knowing the OLL algorithm and then knowing what PLL will come up after the OLL algorithm?

 

[HelloiamChow]

Not exactly. 2 Look last layer, means knowing OLL, then whatever case for PLL. It's extrememly hard to recognize both cases from OLL. That's two "looks".

The only way is practice. Theres no magic powder, that will suddenly drop your times by 10 seconds. Getting better at looking ahead, takes practice. Learning new algorithms to get faster, is practice. With time, you'll get better.

 

[Jack]

Yeah, I also say that you should get better with practice, although eventually learning some more algorithms would help. I used to average 40 seconds using the F2L, OLL and PLL, and now I average 22 seconds!

 

[joey]

Originally posted by hait2@Jul 8 2007, 06:54 PM
hey ltk, lets get faster together i used to average about 1:10 2 weeks ago, now i'm roughly in the 45sec average range that you were talking about

i think key to rapid improvement is to know where your biggest delays are, and it's pretty obvious for me ;p my cross sucks (~6-8sec) and my look-ahead on f2l sucks (theoretical 10-12sec, actual 25-30sec) so i've got my work cut out for me

as for the algorithm issue, i believe avgalen averages about 25sec with advanced keyhole and 4look last layer, so learning new algs isn't a priority i think

You also need to remeber than Arnaud has been doing it for a while, maybe a year or two? I'm not really sure.

 

[LaffyTaffyKidd]

thank you very much guys. I'll try to practice looking ahead because I see myself having delays during F2L.

 

[AvGalen]

I have been cubing since I was 10 (20 years ago), but I started speedcubing in april last year. I still use keyhole + 4 look last layer and 25 seconds is becoming a regular average for me.

I know I should just learn/practice with a more advanced method, or learn more algs, but I just don't have the time and I rather learn more puzzles like MegaMinx and Square-1.

Look-ahead means that while you are doing 1 algorithm, you try to see the next pieces. After you finish the algorithm, you should be able to continue with the next algorithm directly. I have a nice video that shows just that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm6mpS7XL04.