LL help

[SpacePanda15]

So, after individually timing my self I've realized what is holding me back. At first I thought it was my f2l but after my timing I realized it was my Last Layer. I use Almost 3 look last later (2 more plls to learn) and it takes me nearly ten seconds! Even on my faster plls i am slow. All of my Olls are under 2 seconds, but my PLLs aren't. Any tips on fingerticks etc. or what else could be making me slow in my LL would be appreciated. (Yes I'm a noob) I average around 25-30 seconds but my f2l and cross is done in around 13-16 seconds.

 

[Jorghi]

Same for me too.. and him

http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?4965-Times-for-each-step

Here are mine:

Cross(On Bottom) Avg 10/12 -> 00:02.79
Cross(Preserve Pair located on top) Avg 3/5 -> 00:11.29 {Just started}
F2L Avg 10/12 -> 00:11.73
2LOLL Avg 10/12 -> 00:03.97
2LPLL Avg 10/12 -> 00:05.15 {Don't know all the Plls}

Cross = 12%
F2L = 50%
2LOLL = 17%
2LPLL = 22%
Total:23.64

 

[SpacePanda15]

I also have small hands(I'm 13 and short ). Does that have something to do with it?

Edit: I'm 14 lol forgot about my birthday a week ago . . . .

 

[Jorghi]

faz used to have small hands xD maybe tps might be lower though. Not Sure.

 

[Cubenovice]

If you think your hand size makes a difference try a smaller cube

But there is much less choice (of cube-types) in smaller cubes...

I have rather large hands and actually like my daughters Mini type A quite alot, I think it's 46 mm

 

[Rpotts]

I just used Prisma Puzzle Timer to do an LL Avg 100. Was pretty fun, got like 4.8 ish avg. It's good for just drilling random LL algs.

 

[Selkie]

I just used Prisma Puzzle Timer to do an LL Avg 100. Was pretty fun, got like 4.8 ish avg. It's good for just drilling random LL algs.

Ahh, nice to know prisma has LL scrambles. I have wanted to do LL Ao100's for a while as part of my practice. Whilst I know full OLL and PLL my LL is my weak link.

 

[jskyler91]

To those who have a "weak" or slow last layer, here are my recommendations:

1. Make sure that your algs are optimal or at least capable of being fast. If not, replace them. My recommended plls are this guys: http://www.youtube.com/user/jammyman3014#p/u/9/fWyjLAiEL9o. Olls are a bit more dependent on your taste, but I recommend finding algs that have little to no regrips or cube rotations if possible. Oh and try to keep them under 15 moves, 10-13 is pretty good, most will fall in this range.

2. Go through each algorithm and practice them slowly, try to find a way to do each algorithm that is fluent and involves little to no regripping of the cube. Regrips may feel quicker, but in fact each regrip takes an average of .5 seconds (if you have practiced it, more if not) and can lead to more lock ups and cube drops.

3. After you have made sure that your algs are good, begin to incorporate them into your solves. Make sure that you ALWAYS do each alg the new way you have found how to do it (regripless way hopefully) so that it becomes habit. Even if you have to stop the timer and make sure you do the correct alg, do this or else it won't stick.

4. Practice each alg hundreds of times and try some pll attacks. They may seem boring at first, but it can be like another challenge. For me at least, it eventually became kinda fun. Try to get all of your algs sub 2 at least and most of your oll can be sub 1.5 with practice. Just doing these pll and oll attacks cut a second off my time after only 1 day of practice.

 

[Joël]

To those who have a "weak" or slow last layer, here are my recommendations:

4. Practice each alg hundreds of times and try some pll attacks. They may seem boring at first, but it can be like another challenge. For me at least, it eventually became kinda fun. Try to get all of your algs sub 2 at least and most of your oll can be sub 1.5 with practice. Just doing these pll and oll attacks cut a second off my time after only 1 day of practice.

Those are some really good tips jskyler91... It reminds of me the thread "Hitting-Plateaus-why-normal-practice-isn-t-enough" in the other forum (contructive discussion), and how that means that you have to practice in different ways (something I am too lazy at, btw). I think PLL time attacks are indeed a part of that. The same thing applies to OLL attacks, but I never took it that far. Maybe I'll try to do some PLL attacks in my preparation for Bangkok.. allthough PLL's ar enot my weakest point, I think.

 

[Cride5]

I think you pretty much covered everything jskyler91 - and yup, you can't go far wrong learning from 'jammyman' ;-)

A couple things I'd add:
(1) Practice recognition from all sides, try to avoid using AUF's for recognition of the LL case, use it only for setup. Some of the best cubers even learn multiple algs for the same case, just to avoid an AUF setup.
(2) Try to predict the final AUF so that it can be executed smoothly as the final move in your PLL alg. That little pause for final U-move, or worse still, the frantic U, U2 etc. can kill a good solve.

 

[a small kitten]

Improve your technique by learning different ways to make turns. For example, try your thumbs for F or F' and try OH flicks and pushes. Also experiment with D turns. If you watch some of the PLL tutorials, some algs will have such turns. Sometimes people get very creative when they want to avoid rotations or regrips. Being flexible with technique opens you up to more algs.