It's great that more people are beginning to take an interest in the Roux method. It's got so much potential, it just doesn't seem widely known, yet.
I've recently begun learning ZBF2L intuitively (for the most part) in an effort to better my times. I only really have 3 or so cases down for sure, but it really works wonders for your times. I've also recently finished learning the rest of COLL, which is a fantastic system. My normal average is now between 20 and 21, with my best times in the 14's. I recognize the cases the same way as on Gilles Roux's site, so hopefully my advice will apply to you guys some. I decided to take a few days off from ZB learning and devote time to the Roux method. And despite not really working on it in months, earlier today I averaged 20.11 (so close! XP) with a new best time of 15.67. I'm still using the second method for orienting and placing the final edges, and I haven't learned any of the special shortened cases. Also, there's really only one case where I use a CLL instead of the COLL, just because that's what I know. Anyway, here are the tips I've got. For the 1x2x3 blocks: GO SLOWLY. Especially at first. It's easy to get a good pace going for the first block with inspection and forget to slow down for the second. It's important. Work at it. Also, try to have several tricks for doing each block. Know how to match a corner and edge and insert. Know how to insert an edge in any of the three spots on each block, and know how to use block starts like in the Petrus method. For the corners: Don't learn them in the order on the Roux site. Learn the T and U and L cases first. There are 5+1 reflection for the first two, and 4+2 reflections for the last. I think this covers the bulk of cases you run into. After that, it's up to you, but it will be smoother sailing because you're more used to it. Also, try to use everything you've learned all the time during solving. Even the things you've only learned an hour before. Don't worry about how long it takes you to remember the alg. Just do it. The more you force yourself to actively use them, the better you will get at them. Practice. The final six edges is a very important step. Learn the algs to orient the cases as well as you possibly can. They should be second nature. You need to be able to perform the ones for the longest cases (all edges oriented wrong) in under 3 seconds. Also, work on finding good ways to place the UR and UL edges as you're finishing orienting so that it becomes one fluid step. This may take a while (it was the hardest part for me). After you've got all this down, move on to the third method for recognizing the last six edges, and learn the special cases. There are only 26 or so, so it shouldn't be too bad. But sub 20 is definitely possible without them, so don't give up. -Mike team [zb] P.S. Wow. That's a long post. Oops... ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/MXMplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/speedsolvingrubikscube/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
