A cross in 8 moves

Any cross can be done in 8 moves or fewer. If yours takes 12, you lose one to two seconds every solve.

Place the easy edges first, then turn the bottom (D) to line up the next ones instead of moving them one by one.

The cross trainer gives you a scramble and its shortest cross. Plan, execute with your eyes closed, then compare with the solution.

Remember: Eyes closed is the exercise that makes you improve the most: it forces you to see the whole cross before turning.

Troubleshooting

My cross always takes more than 8 moves

Look at the trainer’s solution after each attempt: the same tricks keep coming up, like placing two edges at once or a well-timed D.

I can’t do it with my eyes closed

Start with two edges eyes closed, then open your eyes to finish.