Aug 2019: How to improve competitions results!

How to improve your competition results

I feel like it took me over a year to actually have the discipline to do these things properly, but here it is:

Part 1: Simulate real competitions (3 useful levels)

Level 1: Use a stackmat timer. This makes such a huge difference, as the way you pick up the cube can really affect your mindset in the solve, and it can be really distracting to not be in the same flow as usual. Plus, thinking about how you're going to drop the cube can cost you multiple seconds when you mess up due to discomfort.

If you don't have one, at least act like you're using one (start with both hands off the cube, and behind the cube).

Level 2: Enforce 15s inspection time (with a voice that reads out 8s and 12s) so you get a feel for how much time you have. In my last competition, I regularly put my hands on the timer after the judge said 12 seconds. But in the past, hearing 8s would make me panic even though I still have 7 seconds remaining.

Note that this isn't ideal for practicing new things, like planning more in inspection. I used to go over 2 min of inspection to plan 1st pair because it was really hard. But leading up to a competition, you should decide on what you're capable of doing in 15s and practice doing it quickly.

Level 3: Simulate a real competition format. Scramble the cube and put a cover over it, then grab a backup cube and walk around or sit in a place with different lighting. This is important because your cube has time to cool down from not touching it, and breaking from a normal practice routine is already enough to make most people nervous.

Note that this shouldn't be your normal practice routine, as you get far fewer solves done over time. This can be even more effective if you have a friend judge you, and you can judge them too.

Part 2: Know the difference between warming up and practicing.

You won't improve midway through a competition, just like you probably won't improve midway through any average of 30 or so solves. When I get to a competition, I like to just warm up for the event I'm doing enough that I feel like my next solve wouldn't be hindered by a slow brain or slow fingers. It doesn't matter if I don't feel perfect yet, as that probably wouldn't happen anyway. If your hands are cold for 3x3, practice a larger cube like 5x5 to physically heat up before warming up for 3x3.

In my last competition, I went into 6x6 with about 5 warm up solves, 7x7 with no warmup solves, and 3x3 finals with 3 warmup solves. I didn't do amazing, but definitely better than usual (compared to other competitions where I'd anxiously practice for half an hour leading up to competing and do poorly from fatigue). This is super important if you are competing in many events, or expect to make it to finals and have to compete much later as well.

This especially applies to the more tiring events like 7x7, 3x3 one handed, or any blindfolded event. If your body is telling you to stop, you should probably stop, even if your brain is doubting your readiness. Less warmup is much better than more fatigue, especially when you have more events later to do as well.

Hope this helps!