Learn a Faster Method

So, this is pretty self explanatory. If you want to get faster at solving a 2x2 but you're still using the beginners method, then don't expect to be podiuming at WCA competitions anytime soon (although its not impossible). 

Some of the fastest 2x2 cubers in the world use will be using ORTEGA, CLL, EG-1 or EG-2 or even just one-looking their cube. 

If you're still using the Beginners Method to solve your 2x2 then you're probably scratching your head thinking, "What's the difference between Ortega, CLL and EG?"

Practise

This is by far the most important step to getting faster. It doesn't matter if you average 30 seconds or 5 seconds. PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT. You should be practising every day and learning new algorithms (if you need) everyday. Grab a timer (or use an online timer if you don't own a physical timer). Make sure you sit down every day and do at least 50 solves on your 2x2.

Theres a few different ways you can practise but we recommend a little Ao100 game. The rules are simple, grab a timer and a notepad and a pen (or just use an online timer). Grab your 2x2 and do 100 solves everyday for  7 days. Write down your Ao100 after your 100 solves and compare it every single day for the 7 days (this can be extended to 10 days if you want to). This is a really fun way to practise and you should start to see results really quickly.

Blind Folded Layer

This is quite fun and we highly recommend it for beginners and those that are averaging over 10seconds. Scramble your 2x2 and try to plan your bottom layer (this can be any coloured layer). It doesn't matter if it takes you 10 seconds or 1 minute to plan your whole layer, after you're confident that you can solve that layer, close your eyes and try it. Do this over and over again under you get your 'inspection' time down to the WCA regulation 15 seconds. 

We strongly recommend doing this 20-50 times per day, after 4 to 5 days you should start to see a vast improvement on your regular solves times.

Become Colour Neutral

Colour Neutral... For some, this is simple and easy, however, for others this can be extremely tedious and take time. Being colour neutral means being able to solve a cube from any layer/colour. When you first started cubing I bet you always started by solving one layer (usually white). Well, why not try to to do 50 solves starting on the blue face, or red face etc.... Colour neutral cubers can solve their cube from any face and know the orientation and position of each corner when solving the last layer. Colour neutrality wasn't really held in high regard until the rise of Felik's Zemdegs in 2009. 

One day, sit down and perform 100 solves, starting each one from a different coloured face. Being colour neutral allows you to find the easiest solution to solving your cube during inspection (imagine if you only solved the white face first yet during inspection you noticed that you had 2 or 3 corners of the blue face correctly positioned and you just needed the last corner? That's the basics of being colour neutral.

Time Your Solves

This is basic and wont be much of a step. However, make sure you're timing your solves (there are plenty online). You could even grab a physical timer and a notebook. It doesn't matter how you record them, just make sure you're timing your solves and recording the times somewhere safe. You'll quickly see an improvement, especially if you go through the steps above.

Lube and Hardware