The 10/10 Challenge

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 17:46

Ron, first of all, thanks for the new signature.

What do I need to improve? Everything. Most of all the timing for the switch to the downward movement. That is to find out when the whip is at 9.

Then the coordination of bringing the arm down and then the wrist at 3.

What did help was closing the eyes and just trying to feel what the whip is doing.
I also noticed that I had the whip at 12 but the arm was to low.

It was a bit windy today, which I think had an influence as well.

Some things I noticed, but I'm not sure it's not just me. I think the whip is quite stiff, so you have to be exact to make it roll in a small diameter.

I tried a few underhand crack but failed miserably. One step after the other.

Training device: 8 foot bullwhip.

And yes, I did hit myself =).

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 17:54

Alex, it's a fact of crackin' that one will hit one's self.
Just remember to wear protective eye wear. An abrasion will heal and give you a conversation starter (chicks love scars) but you have only two eyes.

A broad brimmed hat can help to protect your ears and head.
To help protect your arms and back , both upper and lower legs, long sleeves and pants can help with that.

I can't take originality for the quote because all whip practitioners and makers have said it in one form or another. Feel free to use it or alter it to suit the need at the time.

Ron

Robby Amper · Post by **Robby Amper** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 18:35

@ Alexander - I'm happy for every active member! You're welcome

And all the other folks... My two week studio project is over and I had my 15 hours of sleep in the meantime. I watched all the videos and started a looooong post. But that's nonsense. So I went out into the garden and shot a little video. The picture and sound quality is very bad, but it's not shot with the "big" cam. Only my cell phone. At the moment I'm uploading the vid, and sas soon it's online, I'll post the link right here!

Robby

Rachel McCollough · Post by **Rachel McCollough** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:13

I've been practicing. I'm a lot better than I was on the Circus crack but the underhand has me whipped. I've never been able to do it.

Here's the incoming excuses:
I don't have "my" whip anymore either. My nephew claimed it. But I have a dedicated build just for this project, just for my practice. And I look forward to it being done. I just need to make a handle for it when I go back to the shop. I practiced yesterday with my kangaroo and whacked myself in the face. Done with that.
I'm back at it in two days.

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:16

Rachel, that's your roo whip saying, "You want me to do what? .... NO!"
It has happened to every one, and I mean every one
Of course you had your eye protection on right?

Ron

Robby Amper · Post by **Robby Amper** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:22

Don't give up! When you mastered the crack, it seems hard to imagine that there was a time it didn't work!
And here is the promised video: https://youtu.be/j0ovikV7dYo
Be nice, okay? I told you that the quality is shitty. Sorry...

Robby

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:36

Thank you Robby, for posting that video.
It makes a whole lot more sense now especially how to finish the crack.

That's what was eluding me on both but mostly the underhand crack.

I will have to wait for it to cool off some this evening. Right now it's back up to 98f.

Ron

Robby Amper · Post by **Robby Amper** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:38

I'm happy to help, Sir. But the credit belongs to Jessie.
It was all her idea.

Robby

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 22:41

Yes indeed. Kudos to Jessie. *such a marvelous mind*
It's never too late to participate.

Ron

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 23:02

Robby, thanks for the video. I think I never got mentioned by name in one.

Now I'm waiting for the experts who tell what Robby can improve =).

OK. I start. Wear glasses. I got a good smack on mine today.

Each time I got hit I thanked Jessie in my thoughts for starting this. *smiles brightly*

Robby Amper · Post by **Robby Amper** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 23:06

Thanks for the advice

But it was only the water, I had all over my face. I use so little force on my cracks, that I think it even wouldn't hurt anyone if I'd hit someone directly. The video is bad, so you can't see the rain. When I went back into the house I had to change my socks, because I forgot to put on proper shoes. It was my open house shoes...

But - yes! - you're absolutely right. Wear safety goggles. Or at least a diving mask.

Robby

Rachel McCollough · Post by **Rachel McCollough** » Mon 3. Oct 2016, 23:52

Ron yessir I did have my eyes covered! Now, truthfully I suck at cracking a whip- but the whip I was using was definitely flipping out of line more than it should. Not broke in yet- maybe. My fault? Mostly, but the whip isn't right either.
Thus, I'm making a new one for practice. Lonnie called it the Baby Amp. (Lighter version of Amper Style)

Robby, I promise I won't give up, I will get the underhand yet. Thank you very much for the video (I was in town! I got to watch it!)
It is slower instruction and very clear, I will implement these points as soon as possible!

Jessie, thank you for this idea. I am practicing most days, just trying not to clutter the thread.

Ha! Yes, sturdy shoes!

Jessie Edwards · Post by **Jessie Edwards** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 01:46

I finally finished work, finished the homework, and after all that computer time, I was wound up tighter than a drum, so-- I went outside to do my flick, in the dark. Thanks for the kindnesses, but you know this is a group effort. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Ron, for helping me with this while I struggle with the school and this job. I can't even tell you. Huge, huge help to me.

And, here goes:

The right hand goes well, so I switched to my left. At first, I made an impressive woosh noise and my youngest said I looked stupid. This is not hard for me, but thank you, Peanut. You get your candidness from your Mama.

So, with this in mind, I went back to my right and paid attention to what I was doing, going through the motions slowly several times. Back to my left side in an attempt to emulate the right. After several tries, slowly, I did manage to duplicate the motions on the left with less of an effort and more of a result.

First, the transfer of energy from the back foot to the front on the follow through; also, I need to push more with my forearm and focus less on the useless wrist snap that felt it needed to be present on the left. After about 10 minutes, I flicked instead of flopped. Clapping and approval from the spawn. Thank you Peanut (again).

A couple of hints that I learned tonight: The weaker side will be weak until it is used. Use it. Don't be a Trocdor the Burninator. He looks cool, you will look weird. Secondly, if you have a choice, use the lighter, shorter whip to manifest the awesome on the weaker side. Sometimes, it really IS the whip until you learn. I'm 5' 8" tall. I know Robby says 6 or 7 feet is a good beginner length, but he is 20 feet tall. I think it all depends on where you are at, how tall you are, how strong you are, etc. Try lengths, weights, and decide for you. I have a 6 foot whip here (handle included in the length) that is light and rather snappy. There is a HUGE difference in performance between it and my 8 foot. Give yourself a break and learn on the "trainer" whip (or whatever you want to name it) before you try to muscle through with a heavy whip. This is how you pull things and get hurt. Build up the muscle as well as the muscle memory this way and I think you will succeed over time. Take your time though and pay attention to what you are doing. Go too fast and you will learn bad habits, which are hard to break and will slow down the process considerably.

Thank you, Robby, for taking the time to shoot a video for us. I hope our (my) personal advice's are not straying from your teaching too much. I'm just sharing what I have learned while practicing and what is working for my shorter, stubbier self.

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 04:24

I just practiced on the right side only.
I wanted to learn correctly in stead of transferring my bad stuff from the right to the left.
Then I will do off hand practice. (is this the right thing to do I wonder)
The right side wasn't too bad but the finish still sucks. That's what I am needing work on.
(I think)

Ron

Robby Amper · Post by **Robby Amper** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 11:26

No worries, Jessie. That's exactly what I was hoping for: A community where everybody helps everybody. I don't think that my way of teaching is the only one. Or the best. Others see things from a different perspective. Different from mine. So the teaching will be from a different perspective, too. In the end we have a variety of explanations and advice. That's perfect!

Robby

Robert Gage · Post by **Robert Gage** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 11:45

I've just watched Ron and Ben's videos closely. Robby has said everything I would have said (and better than I could say it) with his splendid video. (Thanks, Robby - I find that very helpful, too!)

But there's one other thing: Ron, I think you're somehow turning your wrist at the end of the crack, which makes the whip move sideways out behind you. It's not consistent - each crack ends with a slightly different 'wiggle' - but if you can keep the whip in the 'clock-face plane' by not turning your wrist, I think it will be smoother; and you'll finish each crack with the whip ready for the next one (after the little pause that Robby recommends).

(Now that my friend has gone, I've got to get outside and do some cracking myself!)

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 12:12

Thank you Mr. Robert. I appreciate your observations.

Ron

Ben Varsek · Post by **Ben Varsek** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 20:50

Hi everyone !

I've just been watching Robby's video - thank you very much for your helpful video Robby !!!
I'lll keep in mind to avoid speeding up the whips movement after the crack - again thank you very, very much for your advice and your time for shoting this video to help us become better in whipcracking

!!!

Jessie, the 10 /10 challenge is THE reason why I'm practicing my weaker side just as much as my dominant side and I do need a lot of practice on both sides for my whipcracking in general - thank you so much for putting up this challenge, your idea of making this challenge is so enriching for me and I'm pretty shure for every other participant as well (you rock !!!) !!!

I would also thank every member who has given us advice on how to imrove on our whipcracking - thank y'all very much !!!

All the best
Ben

Ron May · Post by **Ron May** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 22:04

Again, I will have to do the 10/ 10/ practice challenge later this evening before dark due to heat. (101f)
I will be working on the finish of the underhand crack.
I'm getting there but I have to be more consistent.

Ron

Robert Gage · Post by **Robert Gage** » Tue 4. Oct 2016, 22:08

Ron May wrote:Again, I will have to do the 10/ 10/ practice challenge later this evening before dark due to heat. (101f)

Aaagh! I'm currently very glad not to be in Texas. The thermometer here currently reads 13 C. Very comfortable!

Whip Basics. The Forum

The 10/10 Challenge

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