Mental Barrier

[josh42732]

I have posted many threads on what/how to practice and you guys have been amazing at helping me. I could not ask for a better cubing community in my life. The only thing is, I have hit a mental barrier that I seem to have been stuck at for a while. (6-8 months) I don't know why, but I can't seem to apply my practice to my solves. I.E. looking ahead or inserting a F2L pair in a different way or learning and applying a new algorithm. Is this normal for every cuber to go through, or am I just horrible at cubing and should just quit? I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get faster. I know I can be faster because I have gotten an unlucky 16 second solve (that's really good for me) when I average around 20-25. I have not gotten any faster for a while. Would it have anything to do with the fact that about 3-4 weeks after learning the beginner's method I got myself to sub-30? I slowly got myself to just at 20-25 and have kind of leveled off. This is really annoying me because I have always wanted to be proud if my solves and as of right now, I can't say that I am proud of my abilities. I guess that I started all of those threads to tell myself that I'm not getting better because of a certain algorithm or something like that. The last thread I started was mostly because I couldn't stand my 3x3 abilities so I asked you guys if I should get better at that or BLD. I watch and admire Cubeologist's road to sub-20 series and am mad at myself because during his pauses, I can see at least 2 F2L pairs that he could easily insert, even though he is faster than me. What's my deal? Should I be an all-out BLD solver who can BLD solve faster than normal 3x3? I would rather re-learn how to solve the cube and eventually get to sub-15 or even sub-10 if I'm lucky enough. How can I get past this "roadblock"? I am willing to do anything. Whether it takes all of 2015, I at least want to be a better cuber than I am now, or in a position to get better.

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

I have posted many threads on what/how to practice and you guys have been amazing at helping me. I could not ask for a better cubing community in my life. The only thing is, I have hit a mental barrier that I seem to have been stuck at for a while. (6-8 months) I don't know why, but I can't seem to apply my practice to my solves. I.E. looking ahead or inserting a F2L pair in a different way or learning and applying a new algorithm. Is this normal for every cuber to go through, or am I just horrible at cubing and should just quit? I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get faster. I know I can be faster because I have gotten an unlucky 16 second solve (that's really good for me) when I average around 20-25. I have not gotten any faster for a while. Would it have anything to do with the fact that about 3-4 weeks after learning the beginner's method I got myself to sub-30? I slowly got myself to just at 20-25 and have kind of leveled off. This is really annoying me because I have always wanted to be proud if my solves and as of right now, I can't say that I am proud of my abilities. I guess that I started all of those threads to tell myself that I'm not getting better because of a certain algorithm or something like that. The last thread I started was mostly because I couldn't stand my 3x3 abilities so I asked you guys if I should get better at that or BLD. I watch and admire Cubeologist's road to sub-20 series and am mad at myself because during his pauses, I can see at least 2 F2L pairs that he could easily insert, even though he is faster than me. What's my deal? Should I be an all-out BLD solver who can BLD solve faster than normal 3x3? I would rather re-learn how to solve the cube and eventually get to sub-15 or even sub-10 if I'm lucky enough. How can I get past this "roadblock"? I am willing to do anything. Whether it takes all of 2015, I at least want to be a better cuber than I am now, or in a position to get better.

Ok so what are your splits?

 

[josh42732]

Ok so what are your splits?

Like by themselves or during a solve?

 

[DeeDubb]

First of all, solving in under 30 seconds is something to be proud of. The vast majority of the world can't say that.

As for continuing to improve, some people hit blocks. You just keep going and push through. Keep practicing. Do you know full OLL/PLL?

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

Like by themselves or during a solve?

What they are in a solve

 

[josh42732]

I know full PLL ( slowest are g perms of course) and 15 OLL's (they are really easy ones)

 

[josh42732]

Cross: 3.xx
F2L: 14.xx
OLL: 19.xx
PLL: 22.29

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

Cross: 3.xx
F2L: 14.xx
OLL: 19.xx
PLL: 22.29

Cross can be 2 seconds, just make sure to plan it in inspection and execute fast. Get f2l to 9-10s. Try to track first pair while doing the cross, and make it smooth. You dont need to turn very fast as long as its smooth. Oll is fine, but learn the rest later, and get all plls sub 3.

 

[Rocky0701]

Cross: 3.xx
F2L: 14.xx
OLL: 19.xx
PLL: 22.29

Those are pretty good splits for your speed. Sometimes when I get stuck I find that just taking a break every so often really helps. Take a break from 3x3 for a couple of days and do BLD or another event, then do an ao100 on 3x3. Also, it isn't fully necessary, but you could start learning some more OLLs since you're kind of stuck.

 

[josh42732]

Cross can be 2 seconds, just make sure to plan it in inspection and execute fast. Get f2l to 9-10s. Try to track first pair while doing the cross, and make it smoooth. You dont need to turn very fast as long as its smooth. Oll is fine, but learn the rest later, and get all plls sub 3.

Ok. So, to practice those steps in that order I need to:
1. Practice cross BLD and under 7 moves
2. Practice inserting pairs BLD and slow turning
3. Slow turning while tracking pair
4. Drill PLL Algs

Is that right?

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

Ok. So, to practice those steps in that order I need to:
1. Practice cross BLD and under 7 moves
2. Practice inserting pairs BLD and slow turning
3. Slow turning while tracking pair
4. Drill PLL Algs

Is that right?

Yeah pretty much. Byt make sure that when you start doing more timed solves that you pay attention to whats going on while doing cross so transition to f2l is smooth. That should be it. Watch cyoubx's sub 20 with cfop video. He addresses a lot of different problems most cfop solvers encounter.

 

[josh42732]

Yeah pretty much. Byt make sure that when you start doing more timed solves that you pay attention to whats going on while doing cross so transition to f2l is smooth. That should be it. Watch cyoubx's sub 20 with cfop video. He addresses a lot of different problems most cfop solvers encounter.

Yea I've watched that video like 20 times and I still suck

 

[PenguinsDontFly]

Yea I've watched that video like 20 times and I still suck

Wow ok then. The major thing is to be efficient and be smooth while turning at a comfortable speed.

 

[josh42732]

Thanks for all of your help, Penguin. I appreciate that I still have a community to come to. Also, I have been looking at the why the cubing community is special and I have learned to appreciate my speed and everyone around me. Thank you for inspiring me to get faster!

1. While it is kind of a stereotype, I think there is a lot of truth to the fact that most cubers have pretty high IQs.
2. We aren't afraid to be a little nerdy and express ourselves.
3. Most of the community is willing to help newbies out and help them get faster.
4. That moment when you look at the timer and see a PB, or take a blindfold off and see a solved cube.
5. We are for the most part very humorous and fun loving.
6. The fact that everyone thinks we're geniuses when we are just normal people
7. That unlike something such as soccer or baseball or something, anyone can become pretty good at cubing with some practice.
8. That's pretty much it, there's nothing more to say other than that we're awesome!

Was the deal breaker.

 

[brian724080]

I always find that I pause way more than I think I do during solves. Try turning slowly to the point that you don't even speed up when you see a good case in F2L (e.g. R U R' insertion). In those cases, you will find that doing those moves slowly will help you find another pair, and it also helps avoids the U U' U U U U moves you might do from panicking. You can also video yourself speedsolving, so you will see exactly what you're doing wrong.

 

[Dene]

I have posted many threads on what/how to practice and you guys have been amazing at helping me. I could not ask for a better cubing community in my life. The only thing is, I have hit a mental barrier that I seem to have been stuck at for a while. (6-8 months) I don't know why, but I can't seem to apply my practice to my solves. I.E. looking ahead or inserting a F2L pair in a different way or learning and applying a new algorithm. Is this normal for every cuber to go through, or am I just horrible at cubing and should just quit? I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get faster. I know I can be faster because I have gotten an unlucky 16 second solve (that's really good for me) when I average around 20-25. I have not gotten any faster for a while. Would it have anything to do with the fact that about 3-4 weeks after learning the beginner's method I got myself to sub-30? I slowly got myself to just at 20-25 and have kind of leveled off. This is really annoying me because I have always wanted to be proud if my solves and as of right now, I can't say that I am proud of my abilities. I guess that I started all of those threads to tell myself that I'm not getting better because of a certain algorithm or something like that. The last thread I started was mostly because I couldn't stand my 3x3 abilities so I asked you guys if I should get better at that or BLD. I watch and admire Cubeologist's road to sub-20 series and am mad at myself because during his pauses, I can see at least 2 F2L pairs that he could easily insert, even though he is faster than me. What's my deal? Should I be an all-out BLD solver who can BLD solve faster than normal 3x3? I would rather re-learn how to solve the cube and eventually get to sub-15 or even sub-10 if I'm lucky enough. How can I get past this "roadblock"? I am willing to do anything. Whether it takes all of 2015, I at least want to be a better cuber than I am now, or in a position to get better.

I nominate this for paragraph of the year. I didn't even read it but surely none can surpass the pure breadth.

 

[mrtomas]

Turn faster. Every tutorial on how to get faster always tells you to turn slowly. I myself tried that and it didnt work at all. I got sub 13 in 10months by turning as fast as I can. The look ahead comes naturally imo, you don't need to try to improve it by turning slowly.Of course doing a lot of slow untimed solves is a good thing. Also make sure that all your f2l cases are somewhat move optimal and comfortable for you to execute. Keep in mind that this is only my personal opinion and I'm just trying to help you.

 

[Berd]

I found, if I switched events to say skewb and then come back to 3x3 I have actually improved. Try it [emoji8]

 

[lerenard]

I found, if I switched events to say skewb and then come back to 3x3 I have actually improved. Try it [emoji8]

I almost never do 5x5 because it takes so long and edge pairing sucks, but whenever I do an ao5 I usually get another PB simply because improving on other events helps you everywhere else, too. So by that logic if you are frustrated with your 3x3 plateau, work on 4x4 or BLD or whatever for a while. Remember to have fun, that's why you started cubing in the first place. I have found that I get my fastest solves when I'm just doing CFOP, but it's such a boring method I don't use it very often. In my opinion it's better to have fun and be slow than drill yourself into boredom and be sub20. Just my two cents, though. Also, 3-4 weeks to sub30?? I just got my first sub30 ao100 6 months after starting to cube.

 

[STOCKY7]

Leaning full-OLL will massively help. Especially considering your OLL is taking 5 seconds each solve! This can be gotten down to 2-3 quite easily, and maybe even lower with practice.