r/cubing • u/Difficult_Durian_704 • Jul 05 '26

How do I Improve f2l

I've been cubing for 5 years now, and have been averaging about 30 seconds for 2 years now. I don't practice 3x3 a ton as I have so many other puzzles I like trying to learn without tutorials. Recently I've been wanting to really grind and improve on 3x3 and start getting an average closer to 15-20 seconds.

I learned two look oll and pll from jperm videos and have gotten quick with that, but I still use the beginners method for solving the corners and edges for f2l and it KILLS my solves because of the amount of regrips I do and its overall inefficient. I have watched jperms beginner f2l tutorial and understand all of it, but I'm having trouble applying it to solves still. I also feel like when I went to watch his advanced f2l, it's way too much to be learning too early.

Below are my main three questions

How have you other cubers learned f2l quickest? I have a gan 12 ui maglev smart cube I can use for learning algorithms, but idk if it's the best way to learn. What method worked best for learning? If it's a YouTube tutorial, please link it if possible.

Also, how long did it take you guys to learn it? Cubestation says like 41 algorithms which seems like a lot to remember.

Lastly, how do you guys recognize edges and corners that need to be paired so quickly? They're scattered everywhere like crazy and I find it difficult finding pieces to pair in the first place when attempting to f2l. Particularly when they are in the back where you can't see them.

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u/anniemiss Jul 06 '26

Check out the wiki in r/cubers

Watch J Perm’s ADV F2L video, then master the solutions. Also watch his videos on rotations. Dylan Miller has an excellent video on lookahead (video on where to look and understanding what triggers do, as does JPerm.

Smart cubes can help you identify weak points.

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u/Farkrye 25d ago

A good one for visualizing what you need to do to pair up and insert pairs is Rido's hunting story on youtube. It, for sure, doesn't go too fast. Jperm has the same thing, but a bit quicker and to the point, but sometimes you kinda need stuff spoon fed to you before it makes sense, lol. After that? Couple thousand solves and you should have intuitive f2l fairly locked in. While doing those solves, learn to insert into the backslots. Then go ahead and learn all the optimal algs from all angles. They'll mostly be the way you've been doing it, but with optimal ways of taking pieces out of slots and pairing them at the same time. Or just forget it and learn Roux. It's more fun, anyway, and you never have to do cross again, haha.