Road to Sub-15 Second Averages

Here we present some ideas as to how to break 15 seconds consistently with the Fridrich method.

Using the Fridrich Method

Reaching 15-second averages may be obtained via the following tips -- to be performed in chronological order.

1. Beginner's Method
   • First learn how to solve the Rubik's cube using a tutorial, such as one in the Beginner's Methods section.
     • Tip: Solve with your cross on the bottom! It will help you out later.
   • Learn how to lubricate your cube.
   • Use a timer, such as an online timer or a PC timer to see your progression.
2. Learn 2-look OLL algorithms.
3. Learn 2-look PLL algorithms.
4. Learn to do the First Two Layers (F2L) efficiently.
   • Use a tutorial, such as Badmephisto's YouTube Tutorial on F2L.
   • Your times will temporarily get worse, but after a few days of practicing, they will rapidly become better.
   • Practice F2L -- practice a lot. F2L is undeniably the most important part.
5. Learn full (1-look) PLL.
   • 21 algorithms to learn.
   • At this point, consider buying a DIY Cube. Assuming look-ahead is good, focusing on speed might be important now.
6. Learn full (1-look) OLL.
   • 57 algorithms. Don't learn them too quickly, otherwise recognition will be impeded upon. But don't learn them too slowly; try to learn consistently. Steady, slow or fast, will always win the race.
7. Look into advanced F2L techniques, such as the extended cross (also known as X-cross), or other extensions to the Fridrich Method, such as COLL for suitable LL cases..

this is another Walk through with tips

so, here it goes:

I - Current Average 1:30 or do not know how to solve Goal Average: 1:00-1:19 Use Leyan’s Beginners Method (http://www.stanford.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf), or Badmephisto's Youtube Video Tutorial. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ofZFUgaxlTQ&feature=PlayList&p=4A19F1D174B975BD&index=4) You could also achieve sub-1 min with these methods If you are still stuck, follow these tips: -Try to reduce Pauses. -Sand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPC17CMPDTU), Break in (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xQ0ywP-bbU), and Lubricate Your Cube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0rjg7ckq-0) (In that order). -Decrease Last layer times. -Use Finger Tricks -Practice!!! You can decrease Last Layer times by improving your recognition for each case. -Make sure you solve the cross on the bottom. It will help you later. For now, try to get a cross in an average of less than 10 seconds on the Bottom of the cube. Here are some links which will help you: http://www.cubefreak.net/cross.html http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/cross/cross Note: You can also do inserting from different angles See Macky's take: http://cubefreak.net/easy_fast.html

-Use a timer to see your progression : www.cubetimer.com (http://www.cubetimer.com/) if you want the timers like the "pros" use check bottom of post. Estimation Time: 3 Weeks

II - Current Average 1:00-1:19 Goal Average: 40 - 50 seconds Once you acheive these times; -I strongly suggest you learn 4 look last layer. (Links to where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post.) -DO NOT learn F2L yet. Edge Orientation - 2 algorithms Corner Orientation - 7 algorithms Edge Permutation - 4 algorithms - Ua, Ub, Zb, H Corner Permutation - 3 Algorithms Aa, Ab, E Estimation Time: 3 weeks - 1.5 months

III - Current Average: 40-55 seconds Goal Average: 30-40 seconds -Now learn intuitive First Two Layers (http://youtube.com/watch?v=k-xbcAMfWwM&feature=PlayList&p=0B7E0E5922B76D76&index=7) (F2L). -Your times will temporarily get worse, but after a few days of practicing, they will become better greatly! -Practice your F2L, and never give up! -If you even think about giving up just take a break and come back to watch the video again. Theres are other F2l tutorials and will be listed on bottom. Estimation Time: 2 Weeks

IV - Current Average:30-40 seconds Goal Average:20-30 seconds -Now, learn all the PLLs - 21 Algorithms (Links where to learn them will be at the bottom of this post) Estimation Time: 2-3 Months

V - Current Average: 20-30 seconds Goal Average: Sub 20 seconds -Work on your F2L, maybe learn the algorithms. (Links for F2L algorithms at the bottom of this post) -Master all your PLLs and OLLs that you know. Meaning optimize it to your maximum speed, try to use the triggers, and try to get all of them under 3 seconds. -Get your cross sub 5 seconds consistently(make sure you have cross on bottom) -Possibly get a new cube(DIY) if your still using a SLOW Rubik's brand cube. Estimation Time: 3-4 Months

VI - Current Average: Sub 20 Seconds Goal Average: 15 Seconds or less -Master your F2L, try to get it down to sub 12 seconds average -Get your cross to sub 2 seconds average -Learn the rest of the OLLs! - 57 algorithms (Note that you should COMPLETELY master everything else before learning these, as they will only help you by about 2 seconds or less) -To learn Oll's easier look at Badmephisto's video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=I1Lb-eFXzro) Estimation Time: 3+ months

Alg list:

F2L Algorithms: http://www.cubestation.co.uk/cs2/index.php?page=3x3x3/cfop/f2l/f2l http://www.cubewhiz.com/f2l.html http://www.cubefreak.net/F2L.html http://solvethecube.co.uk/

OLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=766 2 Look OLL for Corner Orientation are cases 21-27. http://cubewhiz.com/ollprint.html 2 Look Oll are cases 4-10

PLL Algorithms: http://www.speedsolving.com/showthread.php?t=708 Corner Permutation are the Aa, Ab, and E permutation algorithms. Edge Permutation are the Ua, Ub, H, and Zb permutation algorithms. http://cubewhiz.com/pllprint.html

Tutorials: Tyson Mao Layer by Layer http://www.rubiks.com/Academy/Tyson%20Video.aspx Leyan Lo Layer by Layer http://www.stanford.edu/%7Eleyanlo/cube_solution.pdf Dan Brown Layer by layer http://youtube.com/watch?v=HsQIoPyfQzM Bob Burton Layer by layer http://www.monkeysee.com/play/1113-solve-a-rubiks-cube

- pjk

Remarks: How can i get as fast as Nakajima?

Speed up your f2l. Nakajima has crazy f2l. If you want to study advanced f2l, forget cubeloop! almost half of the algs there are inefficient and are difficult to recognize. Nakajima's 106 advanced f2l cases are way better! here's the link:

http://www.cubingtechniques.com/cubing/algorithmsbank/f2l/

It's in japanese though, so you might not understand the explanations but the algorithms are right there for your disposal. Try also Jason Baum's cubing page. It contains the best OLL and PLL algs (i think, they're even better than macky's or vandenbergh's) for ambidextrous cubers.

External links

• Road to 15 seconds