Difference between revisions of "One-Handed Solving"

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'''One-Handed solving''' (or '''OH''' for short) is a category of [[speedcubing]] that has become very popular recently. Just like it sounds, one-handed solving is all about solving the puzzle with one hand, and it is very strict: you can't touch the cube with the table or any other part of your body during a solve. This may seem very difficult, but people have gotten averages of as low as [http://speedcubing.com/records/recs_dext_oh_333av10.html 16.19 seconds] on the [[3x3x3]], with typical competition-winning times being around 20-21 seconds.
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'''One-Handed solving''' ('''OH''' for short) is a type of [[speedcubing]] requiring one to solve a puzzle with one hand; you cannot touch the cube with your body or anything other than the [[Table abuse|table]]. Competition averages as low as [http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/regions.php?regionId=&eventId=333oh&years=&mixed=Mixed 10 seconds] have been achieved on the [[3x3x3]], with winning times being around 15-18 seconds at a typical competition.
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This page is a guide for starting in and training one-handed solving. For a history, see [[history of one-handed solving]].
  
 
==Which Hand to Use?==
 
==Which Hand to Use?==
  
It may seem obvious that the best hand to use is the dominant hand (i.e. right-handed cubers should use their right hand), but using the other hand can work just as well. One reason to use the other hand is that if you normally execute algorithms with mostly R and U moves you will find it much easier to do these turns with your left hand (and similarly L turns are easier to do with the right hand). It is also helpful to do OH with a hand that is already used to holding the cube. Either hand can be very fast, though, and you should definitely try both hands to see which one feels better for you.
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While it may appear most obvious to use the dominant hand, both hands work as well for one-handed solving; in fact, the non-dominant left hand is more often used by right-handed cubers, who find R and U moves easier with the left hand. It is also helpful to do OH with a hand that is already used to holding the cube. Either hand, dominant or non-dominant, can be very fast. Use whichever feels comfortable.
  
==Making turns==
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==Grip and Turning==
  
Most one-handed cubers will hold the cube with the thumb and middle fingers (and often the ring as well) and do turns with the other fingers. Since one goal of one-handed cubing is to use as many R and U turns (or L and U) as possible, because this is much more fast and comfortable, the focus is on how to do these turns as easily as possible, and there are two main schools of thought about this:
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Most one-handed cubers hold the cube with the thumb and middle finger (and often the ring finger as well) and turn with the remaining fingers. Since one goal of one-handed cubing is to use as many R and U turns (or L and U) as possible as they are much faster and more comfortable, the focus is on how to do these turns easily. There are two main schools of thought on how to accomplish this:
* One way, used by Ryan Patricio, involves using the index and ring finger: the index finger does U by pushing LUB, U' by pushing BUL, and R' by pushing BUR, and the ring finger does R by pushing BDR. The ring finger is also free to do D and D' moves, so this method can be useful for people who use a lot of LUR or URD algorithms.
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* One way, used by [[Ryan Patricio]], involves the index and ring fingers: the index does U by pushing LUB, U' by pushing BUL, and R' by pushing BUR, and the ring finger does R by pushing BDR. The ring finger is also free to do D and D' moves, so this method can be useful for cubers who use many < L,U,R > or < U,R,D > algorithms.
* The second way, used by the top Japanese OH cubers as well as Brian Loftus, involves using the index and pinky fingers only. The cube is held with the other three fingers, and then the index finger does U by pushing FUL and U' by pushing BUL, and the pinky does R by pushing BRD and R' by pushing FRD. Although this method is faster for sequences of only U and R turns, no other turns are possible without rotating the cube or changing the grip, so this method of turning can require more cube rotations than the other kind. It is however possible to do u and r turns with a slight grip change.
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* The second, used by the top [[Japan]]ese OH cubers as well as [[Brian Loftus]], involves using only the index and the pinky. The cube is held with the other three fingers; the index does U by pushing FUL and U' by pushing BUL, and the pinky does R by pushing BRD and R' by pushing FRD. Although this method is faster for sequences of only U and R turns, no other turns are possible without rotating the cube or changing the grip, so this method can require more cube rotations. It is however possible to do u and r turns with a slight grip change.
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* For M-slice turns you can use the table (this is casually known as [[Table abuse]]) to help you do it using your ring finger, or even your pinky or middle.
  
==Training The OH Hand==
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==Training the OH Hand==
  
For most people who want to try OH, their fingers will not initially be anywhere near strong or fast enough to perform [[algorithm]]s quickly, so there are several ways to train the hand:
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For most people who want to try OH, their fingers will not initially be anywhere near strong or fast enough to perform [[algorithm]]s quickly. There are several ways to train the hand:
 
* Doing specific moves over and over. Just doing RU' or RUR'U' repeatedly can be useful for training the fingers involved in those positions.
 
* Doing specific moves over and over. Just doing RU' or RUR'U' repeatedly can be useful for training the fingers involved in those positions.
* Performing algorithms. Simply solving a lot without a break, or doing OLL or PLL attacks, can be very useful for training not only the different types of movements required for a solve but also the endurance of the fingers involved. Slowing down at the end of a solve would indicate that you need more endurance.
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* Performing algorithms. Simply solving a lot without a break, or doing OLL or [[PLL attack]]s, can train the different types of movements and finger endurance. Slowing down at the end of a solve is a sign that you need more endurance.
* Executing random moves or scrambles. Johannes Laire suggests this method of training; it is useful for exercising the whole hand and not just the fingers that are involved in turns.  
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* Executing random moves or scrambles. [[Johannes Laire]] suggests this method of training; it is useful for exercising the whole hand and not just the fingers that are involved in turns.
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==OH Finger Stretches Before Averages==
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You can try to stretch your wrist to keep your fingers from getting relaxed. When your fingers are relaxed, they tend to move slowly, and therefore, a slower solve. But there are stretches you can do on the OH hand. You can try pulling ln your thumb, cracking your knuckles, the possibilities are endless. Try and invent your own to improve your hands.
  
 
=="One-Handed Amnesia"==
 
=="One-Handed Amnesia"==
  
Many beginning OH solvers have found that when they start doing OH solves they often forget algorithms while they are solving, even if they know the algorithms very well for two-handed solving. This might be because sometimes people learn algorithms using muscle memory, and thus are unable to perform them slowly or one turn at a time. If you want to start OH solving, be prepared to have to relearn some of the algorithms that you thought you knew.
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Many beginning OH solvers find that when they often forget algorithms while solving one-handed, even ones they know very well two-handed, a phenomenon called ''one-handed amnesia.'' This may be because sometimes people learn algorithms using muscle memory, and thus are unable to perform them slowly or one turn at a time. If you want to start OH solving, be prepared to have to relearn some of the algorithms that you thought you knew.
 
@see [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14911 speedsolving.com alg Amnesia thread]
 
@see [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14911 speedsolving.com alg Amnesia thread]
  
== See Also ==
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== See also ==
* [[Solving with Feet]]
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* [[:Category:OH cubers]]
* [[Blindsolving]]
 
* [[Fewest Moves]]
 
  
 
== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
 
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15523 Beginners one handed tips and pointers thread]
 
* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15523 Beginners one handed tips and pointers thread]
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* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20561 Robert's OH algorithm discoveries]
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* [http://pagesperso-orange.fr/absolutemind/oll1h-angl.html Absolute OLL OH] by Sébastien FELIX
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* [http://pagesperso-orange.fr/absolutemind/pll1h-angl.html Absolute PLL OH] by Sébastien FELIX
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* [http://www.loftycuber.110mb.com/oll.html Lofty's Guide to One Hand Cubing OLL] by Brian Loftus
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* [http://www.loftycuber.110mb.com/pll.html Lofty's Guide to One Hand Cubing PLL] by Brian Loftus
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* [http://www.youtube.com/user/LoftyCuber Videos by Brian Loftus]
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L1ARAzn0ws Video on OH for beginners by CUBE PORTAL] on YouTube
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8NXi0_VkfI Video on advanced OH by CUBE PORTAL] on YouTube
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* Speedsolving.com: [http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?14365-Statistical-question-Hand-used-in-OH/page4  Statistical question: Hand used in OH?]
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* [http://www.youtube.com/user/CUTEXcuber Videos by CUTEX]
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* [http://web.archive.org/web/20080822185656/www.cubingtechniques.com/cubing/techniques/tomy/ Tomy's algorithms] (Takumi Yoshida)
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* [http://www.youtube.com/user/Tomy1619 Tomy's videos]
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* [http://www.youtube.com/user/Raiden198935 Videos by Raiden]
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[[Category:Solving Variants]]
 
[[Category:Solving Variants]]

Revision as of 22:05, 17 July 2017

One-Handed solving (OH for short) is a type of speedcubing requiring one to solve a puzzle with one hand; you cannot touch the cube with your body or anything other than the table. Competition averages as low as 10 seconds have been achieved on the 3x3x3, with winning times being around 15-18 seconds at a typical competition.

This page is a guide for starting in and training one-handed solving. For a history, see history of one-handed solving.

Which Hand to Use?

While it may appear most obvious to use the dominant hand, both hands work as well for one-handed solving; in fact, the non-dominant left hand is more often used by right-handed cubers, who find R and U moves easier with the left hand. It is also helpful to do OH with a hand that is already used to holding the cube. Either hand, dominant or non-dominant, can be very fast. Use whichever feels comfortable.

Grip and Turning

Most one-handed cubers hold the cube with the thumb and middle finger (and often the ring finger as well) and turn with the remaining fingers. Since one goal of one-handed cubing is to use as many R and U turns (or L and U) as possible as they are much faster and more comfortable, the focus is on how to do these turns easily. There are two main schools of thought on how to accomplish this:

  • One way, used by Ryan Patricio, involves the index and ring fingers: the index does U by pushing LUB, U' by pushing BUL, and R' by pushing BUR, and the ring finger does R by pushing BDR. The ring finger is also free to do D and D' moves, so this method can be useful for cubers who use many < L,U,R > or < U,R,D > algorithms.
  • The second, used by the top Japanese OH cubers as well as Brian Loftus, involves using only the index and the pinky. The cube is held with the other three fingers; the index does U by pushing FUL and U' by pushing BUL, and the pinky does R by pushing BRD and R' by pushing FRD. Although this method is faster for sequences of only U and R turns, no other turns are possible without rotating the cube or changing the grip, so this method can require more cube rotations. It is however possible to do u and r turns with a slight grip change.
  • For M-slice turns you can use the table (this is casually known as Table abuse) to help you do it using your ring finger, or even your pinky or middle.

Training the OH Hand

For most people who want to try OH, their fingers will not initially be anywhere near strong or fast enough to perform algorithms quickly. There are several ways to train the hand:

  • Doing specific moves over and over. Just doing RU' or RUR'U' repeatedly can be useful for training the fingers involved in those positions.
  • Performing algorithms. Simply solving a lot without a break, or doing OLL or PLL attacks, can train the different types of movements and finger endurance. Slowing down at the end of a solve is a sign that you need more endurance.
  • Executing random moves or scrambles. Johannes Laire suggests this method of training; it is useful for exercising the whole hand and not just the fingers that are involved in turns.

OH Finger Stretches Before Averages

You can try to stretch your wrist to keep your fingers from getting relaxed. When your fingers are relaxed, they tend to move slowly, and therefore, a slower solve. But there are stretches you can do on the OH hand. You can try pulling ln your thumb, cracking your knuckles, the possibilities are endless. Try and invent your own to improve your hands.

"One-Handed Amnesia"

Many beginning OH solvers find that when they often forget algorithms while solving one-handed, even ones they know very well two-handed, a phenomenon called one-handed amnesia. This may be because sometimes people learn algorithms using muscle memory, and thus are unable to perform them slowly or one turn at a time. If you want to start OH solving, be prepared to have to relearn some of the algorithms that you thought you knew. @see speedsolving.com alg Amnesia thread

See also

External Links