Tips for getting sub-30

[dancran]

Hey SpeedSolving community,

Been cubing for about a year, but only started trying to get better over the last couple months. Over the last 2 months spent some time learning PLL and just finished full PLL about a week ago. I do cross, F2L, 2 look OLL, Full PLL. Currently my average is about 40 seconds and I wonder what I need to practice to keep lowering that.

I did a few averages for each part of the cube:
Average of 6 to Cross: 4.64
Average of 6 to F2L: 26.08
Average of 6 to OLL: 29.03 (seems a little fast)
Average of 6 to PLL or Solve: 39.81

I think a more realistic number for to OLL is 31ish. Do any of these averages seem too long for having an average of 40? Roughly 5 sec for cross. 20-22 seconds for F2L. 6 seconds for OLL. 8 seconds for PLL.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Yuxuibbs]

Work on F2L. I didn't even finish learning 2 look OLL or full PLL and I can get really good times (sub 18?). Also work on cross. Worry about the last layer later.
Cross: Try to aim for 8 moves or less or sub 2-3 sec. Most people spend too much time on the cross and end up getting really bad times. I suggest trying to do the cross blindfolded to prepare for your F2L look ahead.
F2L: This is the part where almost everyone has to improve on. Do some slow turning solves (around 1-3 sec for each turn focusing on looking ahead). Looking ahead is the key. While you solve one F2L pair, look for the next pair/step. Some people look for the edge first then corner, others look for corner then edge, then there's some that look for both. I look for corner first then edge because it takes longer for me to find the corner. F2L alone should only take about 3-12 seconds after lots of practice.
PLL shouldn't take 8 seconds if you do 1 look PLL. Most PLLs take less than 2 seconds unless it's an N perm or G perm. Keep repeating PLL algorithms seeing what kinds of finger tricks are good for each case and aim for sub 3-4 seconds.

People usually get much better times when they slow down and look ahead.

 

[dancran]

Thanks for the tips! I can usually place 3, occasionally all 4 of the cross before starting. Will definitely try to get more comfortable with placing all 4 now. As for PLLs, like I mentioned I just wrapped up learning the G perms last week. Most of the others I can do in about 4 seconds or less. Didn't really practice the N perms yet because they come up so rarely but it is on my list to get better with those casually over time.

Great advice though and I really appreciate it.

 

[Mudkip]

8 seconds is way too long for full PLL, so practice look those over and try to at least sub-5 them all. If you don't already have a speedcube, now would be a great time to look into one. Try slowing down in f2l, and make sure as you insert one pair, you now exactly the one you want to do next. Above all, just practice, you'll get there

 

[brandbest1]

as yuxuibbs said, work on those plls. If you want to get really fast, do PLL time attacks, where you perform all 21 PLL's as fast as you can. But you would need to learn full PLL first. I would recommend first learning full pll first, then 1-look oll. i'm like, what? sub-30 with full pll and not even 1-look pll yet. Also, as said in the "how to be sub-20" thread, practice doing the cross blindfolded. take as much time as you need first to plan your cross when you practice, then over time, shorten how much time you take to plan.

Times-
Cross- It should be 5 seconds.
F2L- about 10 seconds. you should always look ahead to the next pair while doing the current pair. don't think about the current pair. flow. when i look at the itmer, if it says 15 seconds, then you're good to go.
OLL- depends on how many algorithms you know. 2-look should be easily 5 seconds. 1-look should be about 2-4 seconds, depending on the algorithm.
PLL- 5 seconds at most. even the g-perms should be about sub-5. again, practice pll time attacks and you should be fine.

BEWARE OF THE F-PERM. LOL.

Also, get an f2 or an f3 cube. they're very crisp and awesome speedcubes, right out of the box. they are also vfery afforable, with prices ranging from 8 dollars to 11 dollars.

 

[dancran]

Great advice both of you. Feeling better about getting down to 30 seconds now! I've actually been on this site a good amount and (I think) I have passed through my buying/collector phase lol. Already own 3 Rubiks, 1 Stickerless Guhong, 1 ZhanChi, 1 Reg GuHong, 1 FII, 1 Linghui, and Alpha 5 Whoops!

My favorite is by far the Zhanchi right now though followed by my stickerless GuHong. For some reason the regular GuHong I got is super bumpy and not smooth. Once I have time I will try and shave stuff down on it. I liked the FII, didn't like the stickers though. Doesn't cut as much as the Dayan brand though.

 

[chris410]

I found this page to be helpful for certain f2l cases. If you watch the algorithm Moves you will not need to memorize anything.

http://eb0be308.ugalleries.net/

 

[Yuxuibbs]

Don't be afraid to experiment with stuff (methods and algorithms). See if there's faster/better algorithms for cases that take longer. Still looking for good G perms and N perms because everyone likes different algorithms unless it's the T perm where almost everyone uses the same algorithm.


Your regular GuHong probably feels bumpy because it doesn't have the 48 point edge mod done to it.

 

[Schmidt]

Join Race to sub-30 if you haven't already.
I'm sub 30 but just barely, and I know the reason; I spend to much time on the computer/this forum instead of practicing!!

And do lots of R U R' U', L' U' L U, R' F R F', L F' L' F, M U M' U' as these are common moves in many algs. [Thats right! You can use both hands.]

 

[clifford2704]

Hmm I started 2 months ago so I'm no expert but I can give you some advice as I was there a month ago. Get your F2l down to about 15 secs (22secs is a bit high, with 15 that's -7secs already).

My cross personally is about 6 seconds, f2l 13, oll (2look) 5, pll (full) 5. (CFOP), I also have vids on my YouTube if you wanna see my lot of pauses solves =/

At the moment I'm using no lookahead, can't seem to get the hang of it I just go as fast as I can and look for the next piece when Im done (not a very good way to do it but it works), you should practice your lookahead, I hear it brings your time down heaps.

Also practising your cross blindfolded helps you look ahead for the first f2l while your doing the cross.