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Some general cubing tips that have helped me get faster - Statue

StachuK1992

statue
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As some of you may know, I've been cubing for about three years, and I only average 16-17.
While this certainly seems slow, I would be much slower if it had not been for a few tips that have helped me over this time. Some tips don't directly help me faster, while others gave me massive jumps in time. I suggest taking these one at a time, and not trying all at once.

-look at your hands when you solve. That's right; look at what your individual fingers are doing rather than the cube or the stickers.
-When searching for F2L pairs, try to stick to looking specifically for corners or specifically for edges. This has been mentioned by cmhardw a while back, and after a bit of math, it was found that looking for corners most likely has more of a benefit than the alternative.
-(fast-paced) music. This has been iterated before, but happy, energetic music tends to get me into 'the zone' of cubing where I'm doing my best.
-talk to other cubers, in person. Little tips and visualizations in-person helps tons.
-Really. Go slow(ly) and look ahead. This can't be emphasized enough.
-try out other methods...but then don't. When you get into cubing/speedcubing, be sure to try out a bit of everything, but make sure you don't end up constantly switching methods! You'll only just be 'okay' with everything.
-Have fun...or hate it.
--While some people tend to solve better on average in a good mood, I've found that I cube best when I'm in a terrible mood. Experiment with cubing and your emotions.
-Use your other hand. Try to switch what your 'dominant' hand is during a solve. Along with this, mirror some algs. I've got this to the point where my lefty algs are just as fast as my righty ones!
-get off the forums. Really. Get off. Now. You won't get better reading about speedcubin', you just gotta speedcubin', k.

-statue
 
:tu I like this list :)

Never tried the looking actually at my hands part, I'll give that a go next time and see what the result is. Also, I agree about the emotions thing. I tend to cube very well when I am angry and very frustrated at something. I use the cubing to "cool off", but at the same time I get fast times as well (which makes me feel better too).

One thing to add that I have found works very well for me in improving is:

- Use the "Evolution Algorithm". Try something new for an average or two. If it seems to have potential, then decide to work on it and see if you can make it part of your solving. If the new thing doesn't work, then ditch the idea and don't try it anymore.
 
Also, have patience. We can't all be the faztest growing speedcuber in the game. For some people like me, it takes time to build up some skills. If you practice consistently, you'll eventually get there.
The best thing to do is to keep learning and keep practicing.
 
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Especially like the one about getting off the forums. I should try that sometime.

As far as moods go, I do small cubes better in an angry mood, but with larger cubes, I need to be in a good mood to be able to focus well enough to find pieces during edge pairing (probably simply because I am not as practiced at edge-pairing lookahead as at 3x3 lookahead)
 
-look at your hands when you solve. That's right; look at what your individual fingers are doing rather than the cube or the stickers.
-When searching for F2L pairs, try to stick to looking specifically for corners or specifically for edges.

I don't get it. How can you do both?
 
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