Hello!

[andyfreeman]

Just thought I'd finally say "hi!".

I've been a lurker for a while now, just reading posts and picking out tips and solutions as I needed them. Now however I've got a purpose to post as I intend to take part in the F2L and LL comps in order to improve my times. Figured I should say "hi" first before posting.

I've been cubing for just over 6 months now: I use CFOP with 4LLL.

Generally I average 45s, but have hit a 37 as a single PB and have had a handful (can literally count them on one hand) of sub-40s.

I know my weaknesses: Cross & F2L. I don't have a problem doing them, I am just slow at it. 30s of my time is generally spent doing it. Yes it is that bad....

My look-ahead is appalling and I really need to improve.

My target is sub-30 before April, and sub-25 before a year is up since starting

Cheers

Andy

 

[andyfreeman]

Hi, good luck improving and reaching your goals!

Thanks! It's going to take a while I think.

My TPS is really bad. And that's with finger tricks and plenty of practice.

I don't know why: I just can't seem to execute moves very quickly. Maybe it's my age: I'm hitting 32 on Friday? Small hands too (bigger than women's but smaller than most mens....)

Any similar late starting cubers out there have similar issues?

 

[SittingDeath]

Hello, welcome and good luck with the times

i think were pretty much at the same stage of cubing

 

[andyfreeman]

Hello, welcome and good luck with the times

i think were pretty much at the same stage of cubing

Cheers. They are coming down slowly, I think doing the F2L comps have helped a lot, and I find myself planning my first moves a lot better now, particularly the cross if anything. With a bit of luck my F2L will be consistently below the 30s mark by the end of the month. Might even start the last layer comps to see if I can get my times down there too.

 

[cubingawsumness]

hello and welcome, as everyone else has said
glad u have some clear goals for yourself!
and hope u reach them
im glad ur improving
my times were in ur range a couple weeks (or maybe a month) but now i can consistently (almost) get sub-40 solves, and my pb is 28!
not to make u feel bad just know that its not too hard to improve if u set ur mind to it

 

[Specs112]

hi

 

[andyfreeman]

hi

Hello, pleased to meet you.

hello and welcome, as everyone else has said
glad u have some clear goals for yourself!
and hope u reach them
im glad ur improving
my times were in ur range a couple weeks (or maybe a month) but now i can consistently (almost) get sub-40 solves, and my pb is 28!
not to make u feel bad just know that its not too hard to improve if u set ur mind to it

Hello, and thanks.

Yep the comps have helped enormously. Got a 29 pb the other day in the weekly comp (I hasten to add the remainders were in the 30s and 40s), but I've noticed a big improvement in my cubing techniques by doing the F2L and LL comps.

 

[ThomasJE]

Hi.
Weirdly, I use CFOP with 4LLL, but my average is around 35. Keep doing the F2L and LL comps, and you could keep a log of your times, and see how much you have improved. That's what I do, and I can promise you that it will be very interesting seeing how much you have improved.

 

[andyfreeman]

Hi.
Weirdly, I use CFOP with 4LLL, but my average is around 35. Keep doing the F2L and LL comps, and you could keep a log of your times, and see how much you have improved. That's what I do, and I can promise you that it will be very interesting seeing how much you have improved.

Will do. By the way, thanks for running the LL comp. It's really a good way of practicing and helping my cubing enormously.

 

[MadeToReply]

Hai Andy if thats your name

I have 2 questions since you already answered one of them

Why are you called Andyfreeman?

What grade are you in or what is your occupation?

If you answer these 2 correctly you get a cookie

 

[andyfreeman]

Hai Andy if thats your name

I have 2 questions since you already answered one of them

Why are you called Andyfreeman?

What grade are you in or what is your occupation?

If you answer these 2 correctly you get a cookie

That's my full name- Andy Freeman

I'm a mechanical design engineer, although I meddle with PLCs, software, electronics, and currently robots.... generally jack of all.

 

[Goosly]

Hi!
Where are you from?

Don't worry to much about improving or setting goal times, if you keep practicing and learning new things (from youtube tutorials or the Wiki here), your times will get better. Practice F2L intuitively and find fingertrick-friendly algos for the last layer. Good luck and happy cubing

 

[Owen]

If you're a design engineer, you might be interesting in the puzzle building community. Check out the twistypuzzles.com forum.

 

[benmeister]

Good luck with your progress. I too averaged about 40 a few months ago. Just keep doing solves, averages, and you will find more efficient ways to solve certain F2L pairs. You should also examine some of your bad F2L cases, which have a lot of moves, and find an alg or intuitive way to do that pair more efficiently. Other than that, just keep solving and you'll get better quick.

It took me about 4 months to get down to a 25 avg, it may take you longer, or you may get it a lot quicker. Just keep practicing!

 

[andyfreeman]

Hi!
Where are you from?

Don't worry to much about improving or setting goal times, if you keep practicing and learning new things (from youtube tutorials or the Wiki here), your times will get better. Practice F2L intuitively and find fingertrick-friendly algos for the last layer. Good luck and happy cubing

Gloucester in the UK. Don't worry I'm practicing F2L like mad at the moment! It's paying off!

If you're a design engineer, you might be interesting in the puzzle building community. Check out the twistypuzzles.com forum.

I might just do that

Good luck with your progress. I too averaged about 40 a few months ago. Just keep doing solves, averages, and you will find more efficient ways to solve certain F2L pairs. You should also examine some of your bad F2L cases, which have a lot of moves, and find an alg or intuitive way to do that pair more efficiently. Other than that, just keep solving and you'll get better quick.

It took me about 4 months to get down to a 25 avg, it may take you longer, or you may get it a lot quicker. Just keep practicing!

Thanks for the inspiration. I've found one of my biggest problems already: not taking the time to plan my execution from the start. Since doing the F2L comp I've found planning has helped a lot. Still a long way to go, but at least it's a start, and hopefully in four months I'll be at 25s too