How do you guys remember stuff?

[-Cube Kid-]

I have found it hard to remember several PLL algs. Is it normal to forget some of them sometimes? How to avoid this? Also, I can never remember the x, y, and z rotations and the middle layer names. How to remember all this? Help!

(As a side note, how do ya'll memorize algs quickly and well?)

 

[OtaMota]

Intentional drilling, and mnemonics

 

[cranberryjuice]

I have found it hard to remember several PLL algs. Is it normal to forget some of them sometimes? How to avoid this? Also, I can never remember the x, y, and z rotations and the middle layer names. How to remember all this? Help!

(As a side note, how do ya'll memorize algs quickly and well?)

Practice. I practiced beginner method for weeks when I first learned to solve the 3x3.

 

[m.ipg21]

At some point it's muscle memory... though I don't have time to learn new algs =(

Break down the algs to known / familiar triggers.... I took jperm (and Zemdeg's) PDF files and marked them up and broke the algs into chunks.... this way the algs aren't scary looking and instead they are just a series of smaller chunk / triggers... HTH

 

[CrossPetrus]

It’s really helpful to break up the algs into triggers or parts that you can remember. Also, in my experience, it gets easier to learn algs when you know more. But basically, just separate the algs into parts, and drill them on a trainer A LOT. Also, I struggle with rotation and E moves. I’ve used M and S enough to learn them, so just practice.

 

[Sub20Soon]

I have found it hard to remember several PLL algs. Is it normal to forget some of them sometimes? How to avoid this? Also, I can never remember the x, y, and z rotations and the middle layer names. How to remember all this? Help!

(As a side note, how do ya'll memorize algs quickly and

Fingertricks. I quit cubing for like 6 months and it took me 1 or 2 tries to remember my PLL algs who were full of fingertricks

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

idk I honestly just memorized the moves with sheer muscle memory (like I do with other things)
the first section of this thread covers how to memorize algs

Thread 'Sub-20 is easy with this guide'

Feb 13, 2026

I saw that a lot of members here are not sub-20, and while i have a compilation thread for a bunch of tips, i’ve decided to make a sub-20 thread so that this reaches as many not-sub-20 solvers as possible. Here’s what you should know before following this guide:
Know 2-look OLL and PLL
Solve cross in 8 moves or less
Know intuitive F2L
Know basic fingertricks

note: these are all in order of what you should learn first to what you should learn last.
1. Learn Full PLL
Get your algs from speedcubedb or whatever yt tutorial you can find (i recommend J perm or CubeHead’s tutorials). Make...

• Caleb Valenzuela
• Replies: 26
• Forum: How-to's, Guides, etc.

• 
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[Sub20Soon]

Holy promotion

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

Holy promotion

it’s not like I’m getting profit anyway
I do these things for the better of the community (more like to overtake the chinese kids smh)

 

[SpeedCubingLord]

Drill your algs. Honestly go watch some fun cubing videos and drill your 3x3 PLL algs. some vids i like to watch are tingman comp vids, any cubeorithms video, and jperm challenges., or even cyotheking cinematics for some emotion.

Drilling your algs puts in your muscle memory, and helps you execute "without thinking".

 

[Tabe]

I have found it hard to remember several PLL algs. Is it normal to forget some of them sometimes? How to avoid this? Also, I can never remember the x, y, and z rotations and the middle layer names. How to remember all this? Help!

Don't worry about the middle layer names. You don't need them.

For rotations, X, Y, Z follow R, U, F. So X' is the same as R' but whole cube and so forth.

For the rest, it's intentional practice and repetition. Use a PLL trainer to get it down.

 

[Puzzle Maniac]

I usually don't uh-- re... sorry, what was the question?

 

[Michael Wimberly]

Just do the algs over and over again, no shame in looking them up if you come across them in a solve and forget the algs, looking them up actually helps recognition

 

[abunickabhi]

I just use the Yo notation to memorize algs.

 

[-Cube Kid-]

I just use the Yo notation to memorize algs.

What?

 

[speedsolvetheory]

What I do is chunk the algorithms together into triggers. So instead of memorizing

R U R' U' R U' R' F' U' F R U R'

You can think about it like

(Sexy) (R U' R') (F' U' F) (Insert)

Go halfway through the algorithm if it's long and get that down. Then try the second half. Once you have your muscle memory developed, try doing the algorithm without looking at the moves. If you can do that, put the cube down and do something else. Come back and perform the algorithm. Once you can do that you should use the algorithm regularly so you don't forget: don't learn pointless algs for no reason. Also make sure you learn the right algorithms, not the easiest.

XYZ=RUF
MSE=LFD

 

[cranberryjuice]

What I do is chunk the algorithms together into triggers. So instead of memorizing

R U R' U' R U' R' F' U' F R U R'

You can think about it like

(Sexy) (R U' R') (F' U' F) (Insert)

Go halfway through the algorithm if it's long and get that down. Then try the second half. Once you have your muscle memory developed, try doing the algorithm without looking at the moves. If you can do that, put the cube down and do something else. Come back and perform the algorithm. Once you can do that you should use the algorithm regularly so you don't forget: don't learn pointless algs for no reason. Also make sure you learn the right algorithms, not the easiest.

XYZ=RUF
MSE=LFD

What does (sexy) mean?

 

[CubeWizard23]

What does (sexy) mean?

R U R' U'

 

[cranberryjuice]

R U R' U'

I don't get it.

 

[OtaMota]

What?

Basically blind memo for algs. You convert moves into letters and convert them into sentences.