3x3x3 Rubik's Cube Tutorial - Fridrich Method (Advanced Method)

Among all advanced methods, actually, Fridrich Method can be considered as the easiest advanced method. This is because you just need to memorize a maximum of 119 algorithms (41 for F2L, 57 for OLL and 21 for PLL)in order to fully master it. The basic F2L is intuitive, you can even choose not to memorize the 41 cases.

Fridrich Method was invented by Jessica Fridrich in the early 1980s, and it was published online in 1997. By far today's most popular speedcubing method, it is used by most world-class speedcubers with some minor modifications. Erik Akkersdijk has achieved the current world record of 7.08 seconds using this method, but with a PLL skip.

Fridrich Method consists of 4 steps:
Cross: This is the ordinary first step of the LBL method. This step is the most intuitive step of the solve but it is also very fast. Experienced speedcubers can solve it in about 2-3 seconds, and in all cases it requires maximum of 8 or fewer turns to solve (Average 6 moves).
First Two Layers (F2L): Instead of solving the corners then the edges, F2L is a method in which you'll be pairing the corners with their corresponding edges into their slots. Meaning that, right after F2L you will complete the first 2 layers.
Orient of Last Layer (OLL): This stage involves manipulating the top layer so that all 9 cubes on the top side are the same color, even at the expense of incorrect colors on other sides. This stage involves learning a total of 57 algorithms.
Permute of Last Layer (PLL): The final stage involves reposition the pieces of the top layer while preserving their orientation. There are a total of 21 algorithms for this stage.

Fridrich Method is an advanced method. So if you're thinking off to learn this method, you need to know how to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube by using LBL (Layer By Layer) Method, 4-Look Last Layer and can probably get it solved in sub50.

Step 1: Cross
This is also the first step of the LBL method. Thus, you will know how to solve it if you know how to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik's cube. However, there are some advanced tricks so that you can get your cross solve in less than 8 moves.

Watch this video to learn some advanced tricks for cross. This is a great video that explains the advanced cross.

Step 2: First Two Layers (F2L)
I categorize this step into 2 general type. The first type is the basic type, which is intuitive and you need not memorize a single algorithm. All you need to do is understand how it works in the 3 different cases.

The 2 videos below provide ultimate guide for the intuitive F2L. Make sure you can understand all the points and you may need to watch them for several times before you can figure out what you need to do.

You need many practice in order to get fast. You might get worse records when you're just get started, but no worries, you will get faster and faster with tons of practice.

The second type of F2L is the advanced F2L, which is the algorithmic F2L. You need to memorize the algorithms for the advanced F2L. Algorithmic F2L is very good to solve the special cases. However, I do not recommend you to get into it unless you can perform F2L very fast and you can get sub20 for the 3x3x3 Rubiks Cube.

You can get all the 41 algorithms of the F2L by clicking the link below:
F2L Algorithms List

Step 3: OLL (Orient Last Layer)
OLL is the Orientation of the Last Layer, and is the first step in solving the last layer in many speedsolving methods. If you're now using 2-Look OLL to solve your 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube, then this thing will not be uncommon for you.

Because there are tons of algorithms list available online, thus I'm not planning to post it here. Alternatively, you can get the algorithms by visiting the link below:
Orient Last Layer (OLL)

Before you get started with the full OLL, you should first know how to solve your last layer using the full 2-Look OLL. If you haven't, I recommend you to learn it first before you get into the full OLL. Check out the link below:
3x3x3 Rubik's Cube 2-Look OLL (Intermediate Method)

Also, when you're trying to learn the full OLL, don't force yourself to learn all 57 algorithms at the same time. I recommend you to start this only you have memorized the 21 patterns of the PLL, and you've known how to perform the basic F2L well.

Step 4: PLL (Permute Last Layer)
This is the final stage of the Fridrich Method. If you're using the 4-Look Last Layer method, for sure you'll know what is this. In this stage, you'll be permuting the corners and edges pieces which have already be oriented in the previous stage, OLL. There are a total of 21 algorithms for this stage.

There are also many algorithms list available in the internet, so I personally will not post it here. Instead, I will recommend you to visit the link below for the list:
Permute Last Layer (PLL)

This stage isn't hard to be mastered, thus I'll recommed you to learn it before you get yourself into the full OLL and the algorithmic F2L.

Road Map of Learning Fridrich Method

1. Learn the Beginner Method.
   
   • Time yourself by using online cube timer. See your progressions through there.
     
2. Learn the Basic 4-Look Last Layer.
3. Learn the full 2-Look OLL.
4. Learn the intuitive F2L.
   
   • Watch the video tutorials above and make sure you fully understand all the 3 basic cases.
   • Practice a lot. Your time will get worse, but it will become fast if you do a lot of practice.
     
5. Learn 1-Look PLL.
   
   • Memorize the 21 algorithms and practice them.
     
6. Learn 1-Look OLL.
   
   • Don't force yourself to memorize all at once. However, don't learn them too slowly, but consistently.
7. Learn the algorithmic F2L.
   
   • The algorithmic F2L is very useful, especially if you're solving special cases. However, do not get into this if you can't perform your basic F2L well. And also, only start learning this if your OLL and PLL have been mastered.