How to practise speedcubing to really improve

A session in four parts

1. Warm up: a few relaxed solves, without watching the time, until your hands feel loose.
2. Train one part: the one you struggle with most (the cross, F2L, an algorithm set), with scrambles that work only that part.
3. Do full solves with WCA inspection on, as at a competition.
4. Review: look at today's Ao12 and, if you recorded with a smart cube, where the time went.

Warm up with your data, not by eye

The first solves of a session are usually slower, but how many you need depends on you. In the Stats tab, "Your warm-up" measures it with your history: it splits your solves into batches (after a break of an hour or more) and compares each of the first 12 with your pace in that batch. That way you know how many warm-up solves you need before the time counts.

Practise in parts

A full solve trains everything a little; a partial scramble trains one thing a lot. In the Timer, ✚ → Case training gives you scrambles that leave everything done except what you want to practise: last layer, PLL only, last slot plus last layer, ZBLL or 2GLL in CFOP; CMLL or LSE in Roux; EO done for ZZ; R and U only scrambles for rhythm, and edges only for blindfolded.

Train your slowest cases

Practising all 57 OLL cases equally spends time where it's least needed. In Case training, "Your slowest cases" goes through your recorded solves and suggests the cases where you really lose time. And from a solve's analysis, "Train this case" takes you straight to practising that case alone.

Measure with the right average

• Ao5 tells you how you're doing today; Ao12 and Ao100 tell you your level. The Ao5 and Ao12 guide explains how they're calculated.
• Compare weeks, not solves: a bad day doesn't mean you've got worse.
• Always practise with WCA inspection: if you have unlimited time at home, the 15 seconds will feel short at a competition.

Mistakes that make you plateau

• Doing only full solves for months: the weak part never gets the practice it needs.
• Learning new algorithms without reviewing them: they're forgotten before they reach your solves.
• Always turning at full speed: without lookahead, hand speed is lost in pauses.