E.g., for the CFOP method the second stage is pairing middle edge pieces with bottom corner pieces, and putting them in place. There are 4 of these middle edge pieces, so that stage has 4 steps. Each step may require from zero to ~8 moves.
Speed solvers typically scan the cube for the next step, and then while their fingers execute the moves they scan the cube, looking to setup the next step. Sometimes this allows them to anticipate the next _next_ step.
As an old fart who was a kid when the Rubik's Cube was introduced to America, I'd like these young whippersnappers to solve on the original Cubes, not these Ferrari cubes that never stick or get filled with hand salsa and backpack detritus.
The last layer doesn't really have any decision making though.