Whip Basics. The Forum

Tristan Foy wrote:The whip wants to crack. Let it do the work. Just put it in motion. A lot of the cracks I had came with very little effort at all. Again, I could feel the loop just going down the thong and reporting, and it was a very satisfying feeling because it didn't feel forced, it just felt natural.

Tristan, you've got it! Splendid!

I forgot to mention that when the whip successfully cracked it actually surprised me. It was a seeing is believing moment, like, "Yes, I can do this, after all! It's not just other people!"

Tristan Foy wrote:I forgot to mention that when the whip successfully cracked it actually surprised me. It was a seeing is believing moment, like, "Yes, I can do this, after all! It's not just other people!"

Tristan, the grin that comes with that moment lasts a lifetime!

I had a short while to practice while on break from helping my mom out. It was maximum 10 minutes, it was getting dark and cold.

Very casual session. I played around more, swinging the whip around, having fun but I also went for some repitition on all the cracks. I noticed if I sped it up and went too casual - at this point - I fell back to some old (bad) habits. So I slowed it down but it was really cold so I was a little impatient to keep warm!

I didn't end it on a low note, but not on a high one either so it left me a little empy-feeling. I see the importance now! The neighbours dog was getting anctious and let the circumstances end my session rather than on my own accord - lesson learned!

Otherwise no new epiphanies. Just getting back to what I learned yesterday.

Thank you for the videos, Erik.

My session was like of like yours, then. Not bad, but not stellar, tonight.

I ended up doing 20 minutes, mostly because I lost track of time. I did a mix of all the cracks, but focussed on the RHC. Some cracks happened, but I'm working on my form, as well, now that I know I can produce the cracks. Earlier today I came across a cracking tutorial by Bernie Wojcicki and he made everything look so effortless, so I tried to imitate that instead of trying to beat the air up around me like it was mugging me with a frying pan. Keeping the handle fairly loose, trying not to swing too hard.

No loud cracks, but I also think it's good I try to nip bad habits in the bum before they become fully developed.

Also, I am pretty sure I got some cracks from the UC tonight. Not subsonic poofs, but quiet cracks regardless. I might have imagined it, but I don't think I did.

Also, Bernie answered something I've been wondering about. I always figured you had to hold the handle part, not just the heel knot. Otherwise why would it be there, and with different lengths as an option? But my hand always naturally goes right to the knot. And then on the tutorial he said that's exactly where you should be holding. So surprise happy surprise to me! But then why does the Indy whip have an 8" handle, where as other whips have 10" or 12" handles? I understand that different handle lengths yield different control, but then why is that section even called a handle if it's not a handle, when only the heel knot is held onto?

Not to derail the thread into handleology, but I was wondering about it.

Tristan, you are definitely getting the hang of it.
I have no answer to the handle question but I do know about holding the "handle" by the knot as softly as you can with out letting the whip fly out of your hands.

Mr. Robert explained it to me like holding a small bird. Not to squish it and not to let it go.
If you close your fist as tight as you can then feel your forearm and upper arm.... it's tight and doesn't move well, Now just close your fist loosely and notice how much more movement you have in the forearm and upper arm. That's why you hold it lightly.
Holding the knot is like a ball and joint connection that can rotate with and within your wrist and hand if it needs to respectfully.

After I learned that, cracks came much easier.

Ron

I'm still at a low energy level so practice was short but positive.
I had enough confidence about not hitting myself anymore that I did the practice with
Blue Lightning the 8.5 footer.
I did not hit myself for the first time using that whip and being a much heavier whip and slower the cracks were clean. I am still very leery of it though.

I think it can be boiled down to "no brain , no gain" .

Ron

Ron, everything you said was perfectly described. I'm a bit like you were there with me, making observations about how tense my arm was when clutching the whip vs. when I was holding it right.

When I hold it and throw it correctly, it just feels instinctively "right."

I like that you have a nice name for your whip. I've been thinking of names for mine even before I joined this forum. Right now I am coming up short though.

Tristan sounds like the path to take: for over overpowering.

Ron that's a good analogy, I'll keep that one in mind.

Thinking back I did have a kind of an epiphany: I noticed that a succesful UHC comes when I throw the whip forward with the heel end forward - and then let the weight of the whip turn the handle from simply stopping my hand.

Just a thought I forgot to share!

Erik Torpström wrote:Tristan sounds like the path to take: for over overpowering.

Ron that's a good analogy, I'll keep that one in mind.

Thinking back I did have a kind of an epiphany: I noticed that a succesful UHC comes when I throw the whip forward with the heel end forward - and then let the weight of the whip turn the handle from simply stopping my hand.

Just a thought I forgot to share!

The way I like to describe an underhand crack is this: pull the whip forward, keeping the handle pointed towards the ground until you go out as far as you can comfortably do it. Then, point the handle where you intend for it to crack. If you point low, the whip will crack low. Point straight ahead, the whip will crack there. Point high, crack high. I hope that was clear and helpful.

That's an interesting description. Might be fun to go out and try it that way.

Thank you for sharing Bob.

Ron

@ Ron May:

Thank's Ron - I hope that you will be feeling better soon !!!


@ Tristan Foy:

Congratulations Tristan !!!

It's moments like this that make whipcracking so addictive !!!
I've shoot a couple of videos on the UC but none of them was as good and educational as the slow motion video made by Erik Torpström. I'll keep on shooting !!!


@ Erik Torpström:

Thank you for your tips on the UC Mr. Torpström !!!


@ Bob Ouellette:

Thank you for your advice Bob !!!



Todays practice has been very rainy. I like practicing in the rain because you can see exactly where the whip cracks. Only the strong wind had been challenging. I always tryed to adjust my position into the direction of the wind but there had been many gusty winds and therfore many adjustments to be made.
The practice itself didn't feel good compared to the last couple of days but at least my biggest problem (using to much power and speed) wasn't an issue.


All the best
Ben

Bob that sounds somewhat familiar! I just don't even really point the handle, the direction of the movement itself determines where the crack happens for me.

Ben, you can just call me Erik

I'll make more slowmos when I get the chance!

Today I practiced indoors with my 2,5' micro whip. Mostly just UHC's since I don't have room for more indoors. Nothing to report really. Just some more repetition!

I do believe that today is the 10th and final day for the OHC (opposite horizontal crack).
I will post a comparison video most likely today tomorrow if the energy level is there.
Start looking at the next crack, the FORWARD CRACK.
Practice on this crack will begin tomorrow the 22nd.
If you would like to post a video of your progress with the OHC that would be fine.

This is working out well for me and I hope it's doing the same for you all.

Ron

Wow! I had miscounted! For some reason I thought I was on day VI!

Bob, welcome! I'm going to have to try that style out. Again, with the handle, I think I mostly hold it wrong. I certainly was holding it too tight.

Here's my comparison video on the 10th day of the opposite horizontal crack / side arm crack.
I ran out of steam in the practice so there was very little left to make the video.
I have made , I believe, significant progress with this crack.
Day 1
https://youtu.be/npm3gwyZ1Lo

Day 10
https://youtu.be/Eb-SduqMDZM

Ron

To everyone thanking me, I'd like to know if you have any success with the way I've described the underhand crack

Unfortunately no session for me today! I overslept my nap and had to go to work. At least I got some plaiting done. I don't mind a day off - brakes can be actually be ver beneficial.

Will report tomorrow and if it's still light outside I'll be shooting a video (it's pretty much dark at 6pm here this time of the year)!

So I'm kinda lagging a day behind but I'll make up for it with a bit longer sessions. It doesn't make sense for me to walk to the park just to be there for only 10 minutes anyway.

Erik, life happens.
For me the cracks are challenging, but for me sometimes finding time for the 10 min. can be the actual challenge.

Ron