how to execute moves (notation) on a 3x3

[ReubenAaron]

When I was just starting to speedcube, I wasn't sure how I should move all the faces of the cube, so I made this list to help some beginners:

• U turn - use pointers to turn and use middle finger along with it to do U2
• D turn - use ring fingers
• R turn - use your right hand
• L turn - use your left hand
• B turn - grip the cube on the U and D faces and turn with ring fingers
• F turn - you can use your pointer and thumb on your right hand or use pointers in both left and right hands (or a mixture of both for the appropriate algs)
• M turn - use your ring and middle finger to double flick or your pinky and ring finger to double flick

hopefully this was helpful to some of you (it would've helped me) and as far as I'm aware these are the fastest ways to do these moves.

 

[stoic]

I do U2/U2' in one go with forefinger, especially at the end of solve to AUF.

 

[ReubenAaron]

I do U2/U2' in one go with forefinger, especially at the end of solve to AUF.

what cube you using to do that?

 

[stoic]

what cube you using to do that?

All the cubes.

I haven't bought any new 3x3s for ages, the last one was a Thunderclap in 2015 and before that an Aolong (v1) if memory serves. I keep a few cubes around the place, and I probably solve on my beloved old Zhanchi as often as anything else.

 

[genericcuber666]

I do U2/U2' in one go with forefinger, especially at the end of solve to AUF.

like in oh?

 

[stoic]

like in oh?

Sorry, don't know.
I can solve OH but not in any meaningful way in terms of speed.

Just to be clear, I don't do it all the time mid-solve. I was just pointing it out as a possibility for the OP.

 

[Ethan Donecoff]

I have the most trouble with D2, using pinky-ring is very difficult and awkward for me. It doesn't hold me back much, but I know it adds a little bit of time to my A perms

 

[ReubenAaron]

I have the most trouble with D2, using pinky-ring is very difficult and awkward for me. It doesn't hold me back much, but I know it adds a little bit of time to my A perms

Yea, the A perms are the most awkward PLL's if you ask me. If you're having trouble, I would learn a different alg that suits your turning style better.

 

[Smiles]

For D2 you can also try ring-pinky rather than pinky-ring. It worked for me, but trust me it takes a lot of practice before it feels the least bit comfortable.

I just posted a video in the guides section on finger tricks, part way through I show a really fast A perm using ring-pinky.

 

[One Wheel]

I always use ring-middle for D2s, and also M2s.

Any good ways of doing F2? it doesn't come up all that often in 3x3 solves, but I think it really slows down my 2x2. I generally use my thumbs for doing F/F', and executing F2 as F F, or on 2x2 more like a reach up and over with my thumb, if that makes sense, which is reasonably smooth but leaves my fingers all out of position for the next moves.

 

[Smiles]

I always use ring-middle for D2s, and also M2s.

That's good for M2, but not for D2 on a 3x3, since you want your middle finger holding the cube during A perm.

 

[One Wheel]

That's good for M2, but not for D2 on a 3x3, since you want your middle finger holding the cube during A perm.

I'm hardly an expert on speed, but shouldn't it work to hold to cube in one hand and turn with the other? That's what I do. Hitting it with the pinky just seems like too much of a stretch. Maybe my hands are big or something, but when I'm solving my pinkys are pretty much vestigial. I just use three fingers and one thumb on each hand, and occasionally use the pinky to balance the cube.

 

[Smiles]

I'm hardly an expert on speed, but shouldn't it work to hold to cube in one hand and turn with the other? That's what I do. Hitting it with the pinky just seems like too much of a stretch. Maybe my hands are big or something, but when I'm solving my pinkys are pretty much vestigial. I just use three fingers and one thumb on each hand, and occasionally use the pinky to balance the cube.

if it works for you then I can't argue with that, but I just tried an A perm with it and I couldn't get it to be smooth, cause my right thumb kept having to move to a more stable spot. during a regular A perm, I shluld be able to just loosen my right thumb's grip during D2, but when I tried doing your D2, I had to reposition my thumb and still maintain a steady grip.

your vestigial description is ok for most cases, but A perms really need it to be fast.

 

[ReubenAaron]

I always use ring-middle for D2s, and also M2s.

Any good ways of doing F2? it doesn't come up all that often in 3x3 solves, but I think it really slows down my 2x2. I generally use my thumbs for doing F/F', and executing F2 as F F, or on 2x2 more like a reach up and over with my thumb, if that makes sense, which is reasonably smooth but leaves my fingers all out of position for the next moves.

You can use your pointers aswell as thumbs for moves.

 

[Logiqx]

I always use ring-middle for D2s, and also M2s.

Any good ways of doing F2? it doesn't come up all that often in 3x3 solves, but I think it really slows down my 2x2. I generally use my thumbs for doing F/F', and executing F2 as F F, or on 2x2 more like a reach up and over with my thumb, if that makes sense, which is reasonably smooth but leaves my fingers all out of position for the next moves.

Re-grip with your right hand - thumb on bottom, ring on top then use pointer, middle.

If F2 follows R2 then start the right with thumb on top, ring on bottom. Wrist turn R2' then use pointer, middle for F2.

 

[Aaron Lau]

I never understand how you people can pinky ring a D2......

 

[Dom]

I never understand how you people can pinky ring a D2......

I can't do pinky ring for D2, either. I do ring, middle for D2. Is that weird?

 

[One Wheel]

I think I could do pinky-ring D2 on my 5x5 pretty well, and the only reason it doesn't work on my 6x6 is the layer is too thin, but with practice it could be done. I think I could do it on a 58-60 mm 3x3, but the 56.5 mm Thunderclap and 57 mm Zhanchi and Rubik's I have now are too small for my hands to do it without crunching up weird.

 

[ReubenAaron]

That's what I do and it works pretty well for me.

 

[FJT97]

Re-grip with your right hand - thumb on bottom, ring on top then use pointer, middle.

If F2 follows R2 then start the right with thumb on top, ring on bottom. Wrist turn R2' then use pointer, middle for F2.

Just like you would do a leftie R2 in OH