Speed puzzling practice is the only way to win. While people like me play and solve a speed puzzle for fun (I’ve never been in the top 10,) I definitely practice often. In fact, my speed puzzling practice is a daily routine I start 3 weeks before any puzzle competition.
If you think it’s easy to be a speed puzzling enthusiast, think again. The competition is healthy, the object is speed and you must practice so you can be at your prime. So how do you practice completing jigsaw puzzles? Well, there is a system to the madness.
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Speed Puzzling Practice is Necessary
First, let me say it is not only a fun and engaging to have a speed puzzling practice session, but also a great way to improve your skills and efficiency. I mean seriously, who wants to be the last one finishing their jigsaw puzzle because they didn’t do their homework and try to at least have some speed puzzling practice? Pick up the Speed puzzling tips and embrace the game! It’s worth it!
Which is why I thought it would be good to share my tips to getting started in this practice environment. Yes, everyone sees the big puzzle competitions, but there are a lot of sweat and tears behind the scenes. If you’re serious about the sport of speed puzzle, then you need to know what to expect.
Here are six tips to make puzzle completion easier during your speed puzzling practice sessions:
1. Choose Appropriate Puzzle Difficulty.
Start with Manageable Challenges and work up. Focus on puzzles that match your current skill level. Beginning with manageable challenges allows you to build confidence and gradually progress to more complex puzzles. As you become more adept, you can increase the difficulty level.
2. Organize Your Puzzle Workspace.
Create an Efficient Setup. Set up a clean and organized workspace before starting each practice session. Separate edge pieces from interior pieces, arrange them by color or pattern, and ensure proper lighting. A well-organized workspace facilitates a smoother and more efficient puzzle-solving experience.
3. Implement Time Limits.
Challenge Yourself with Time Constraints. Introduce time limits to your practice sessions. Start with a reasonable time frame and gradually reduce it as you improve. Time constraints simulate the pressure of speed puzzling competitions, helping you enhance your focus, decision-making, and overall puzzle-solving speed.
4. Rotate Puzzle Orientation.
Vary Puzzle Perspectives to see the whole puzzle Periodically rotate the puzzle to change its orientation. This practice helps you become more adaptable, improves your spatial awareness, and prevents overreliance on specific perspectives. It mimics the unpredictable nature of puzzles encountered in competitions.
5. Focus on Specific Puzzle Sections.
Divide and Conquer the puzzle excitingly! Break the puzzle into smaller sections and focus on solving one section at a time. This approach helps you manage the complexity of the puzzle, reduces overwhelm, and allows for more systematic problem-solving. As you master each section, gradually connect them to complete the puzzle.
6. Practice Multitasking.
Enhance Cognitive Flexibility so you are ready. Challenge yourself by practicing multitasking during speed puzzling. For example, work on connecting pieces in one section while scanning and sorting pieces for another. This improves cognitive flexibility, enabling you to efficiently handle multiple aspects of puzzle-solving simultaneously.
7. Utilize Pattern Recognition Techniques.
Train Your Pattern Recognition Skills to be your best. Actively train your eyes to recognize patterns within the puzzle pieces. Identify recurring colors, shapes, or distinctive elements that can guide your decision-making process. As you become more adept at pattern recognition, you’ll find connecting pieces becomes more intuitive and faster.
Create Your Routine
Incorporating these tips into your speed puzzling practice routine will not only make puzzle completion easier but also help you refine essential skills for competitions. I’ve found that it’s not just about taking time for speed puzzling practice, it’s about your skills and making every time your best play. Remember that consistent and focused practice is key to continuous improvement. Enjoy your speed puzzling journey!
