Boosting Your Speed: Timed Drills and Techniques

Boosting Your Speed: Timed Drills and Techniques for Rapid Recall

For a memory athlete, a great mnemonic system is only half the battle. The other half is speed. In the world of Memory Competitions, where events are timed down to the second, the ability to encode and recall information rapidly is the ultimate determinant of success. You can have the best PAO system in the world, but if you can’t use it fast enough, it won’t matter. This article is your practical guide to the drills and techniques that will transform your memorization process from a thoughtful exercise into a lightning-fast, automatic reflex.

The secret to speed is not a magical trick; it’s the result of systematic, disciplined practice. By breaking down the memorization process into its core components and subjecting them to timed pressure, you train your brain to work faster and more efficiently. This focused training builds the neural pathways that turn a deliberate act of image creation and placement into a fluid, effortless mental movie.

Phase 1: The Foundations of Speed—Mastering the Drills 

Before you can be fast, you must be accurate. Once you have a reliable mnemonic system, the next step is to make its execution instantaneous.

• Timed Conversion Drills: This is the most fundamental speed drill. Your goal is to eliminate any hesitation between seeing the information and recalling its corresponding image.
  • Numbers: Use a random number generator. Set a timer for 60 seconds and generate as many two- or three-digit numbers as possible, writing down the corresponding Major System or PAO images. The goal is to have no pause between seeing the number and writing the image.
  • Cards: Use a deck of cards or an online simulator. Flip over one card at a time and say or think the corresponding PAO components. Try to do a full deck as fast as you can, focusing only on the speed of conversion. This drill should not involve a Memory Palace.
  • Binary: Use a random binary number generator. Convert each three-digit chunk into its decimal equivalent as fast as possible. This builds the foundational speed for the event.
• The “Blitz” or “Touch-and-Go” Drill:
  • This is an advanced technique that trains your brain to quickly place images without dwelling on them.
  • Select a Memory Palace with a large number of loci.
  • Generate a long list of numbers, cards, or other data.
  • Set a timer and start memorizing, but with a strict rule: for each locus, you can only spend a fraction of a second placing the image before moving on. There is no time for making the image more vivid or adding sensory details. You simply “touch” the locus with the image and “go” to the next one.
  • This trains your brain to create a fluid, continuous flow of images, which is essential for high-speed events.

Phase 2: Optimizing the Process for Rapid Recall 

Speed is not just about memorization; it is also about efficient recall. Your retrieval process must be as fast and flawless as your encoding.

• The “Head-Down” Recall Method:
  • In a competition, you have a set memorization time and a set recall time. Many athletes use the “head-down” method.
  • As soon as the memorization time is up, they immediately put their head down and close their eyes. This helps to block out distractions and allows them to perform a full, uninterrupted recall of their Memory Palace.
  • During this mental walk-through, you are not writing anything down. You are simply retrieving and decoding the images as fast as you can. This ensures you have the complete sequence in your mind before you even touch a pen.
• The Power of Retrieval Practice:
  • Don’t just practice memorizing; practice recalling. A great technique for this is “delayed recall.”
  • Memorize a set of numbers or cards, but instead of recalling them immediately, wait for 10-15 minutes. This forces your brain to work harder to retrieve the information, which strengthens the neural pathways and improves your long-term memory. The extra effort during this retrieval is what makes the memory more resilient.

Phase 3: The Balancing Act—Speed vs. Accuracy 

The most common mistake for a beginner chasing speed is to sacrifice accuracy. A perfect score at a slower time is always better than a fast time with errors. Your training must always be a balance between the two.

• Accuracy First, Speed Second:
  • For any new event or system, your first goal should be 100% accuracy.
  • For example, in the Speed Cards event, start by memorizing a deck with no time limit. Once you can consistently achieve 100% accuracy, then begin to introduce the timer and try to incrementally reduce your time while maintaining your accuracy.
• The Incremental Challenge:
  • Use a timer and set an achievable goal for each session. For example, “This session, my goal is to memorize 40 numbers in 3 minutes with 100% accuracy.”
  • When you achieve that goal, set a new, slightly more difficult one. “Now I will try to memorize 50 numbers in 3 minutes.” This incremental approach prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures your speed gains are solid and repeatable.

Mastering speed is the final frontier in Memory Competitions. It is a journey that requires discipline, a willingness to analyze your own performance, and the courage to push your mental limits. By incorporating these timed drills and advanced techniques into your daily routine, you will not only be faster, but you will also build a level of mental fortitude that will allow you to perform at your peak when it matters most.

Common FAQ

1. How do I know if I’m ready to start focusing on speed?
   You are ready to focus on speed when you can consistently achieve a high level of accuracy (e.g., 95% or higher) with your current system. If you’re still making a lot of errors, you should go back to focusing on accuracy first.
2. Is it better to train with a physical deck of cards or an app?
   Both are valuable. An app can provide excellent timed drills and analytics. A physical deck is essential for training the tactile skill of handling and shuffling the cards, which is crucial for a real competition. You should train with both.
3. What is a “time penalty” in memory competitions?
   In many competitions, you are given a time limit for memorization. If you go over the time limit, your score is penalized. This is why it’s crucial to be comfortable with a timer and have a consistent, disciplined process.
4. How can I stop my mind from “lingering” on a difficult image?
   This is a common issue that the “touch-and-go” drill is designed to solve. Force yourself to move on even if you don’t feel like the image is perfect. With practice, you will learn to trust that the simple act of placing the image is enough.
5. How do I make my recall faster?
   Your recall speed is directly tied to the vividness and distinctiveness of your images. The more clear and bizarre your images are, the faster your brain will be able to retrieve them. Retrieval practice and mental walk-throughs also improve recall speed.
6. Should I use music during my timed drills?
   Many athletes train with music to simulate a distracting environment. This helps you build the mental resilience to focus under pressure. However, you should also practice in a quiet room, as that’s what a competition will feel like.
7. Is it okay to use different mnemonic systems for different events?
   Yes, absolutely. The best athletes use a customized system for each event. A PAO system is perfect for speed cards, but a simpler Major System might be better for an event like Random Words.
8. What if my images start to get confused during a fast session?
   This is a sign that your images are not distinct enough. Slow down your practice and work on making your images more unique. You may also need to refine your mnemonic system to ensure there is no overlap between your images.
9. How do I handle the pressure of the clock?
   The clock is an ever-present part of a memory competition. The best way to handle it is to normalize it through practice. Use a timer in every session, and a competition will simply feel like another training session.
10. What is the most important element for speed?
    The most important element for speed is instantaneous conversion. The moment you see a number or a card, your brain should immediately provide you with the image. This automaticity is the foundation of all high-speed memorization.