Learn how to use a whip

I can never seem to accomplish the reverse crack when I want it.
I know it’s a matter of keeping inside my planes. I just have to get used to the awkwardness my arm and shoulders feel when attempting it.

I saw a friend of mine crack a whip seven months ago and I knew then I must learn!

I invested in a good Greg DeSaye whip and bought a whip cracking instructional book. I had a friend of mine show me some cracks and I trolled around websites like http://www.bullwhip.org

Now I’m rocking it! Cracking a whip releases tension and is a nice way to get a small workout for the biceps, triceps and deltoids.

I learned to use a bullwhip several years ago. It’s a fun and sometimes challenging hobby. Learning to do different kinds of cracks and multiple cracks in my yard was a blast…but now all my neighbors think I’m nuts!

I found a good whip to use. It’s called “The Drover’s Whip” and it’s 8 ft long. I found it on amazon but is manufactured by State Line Tack. Here’s the Whip on Amazon

Have a look at some of the australian whip makers websites. Look for a kangaroo hide whip, it doesnt have to be one of the best, something reliable can be had for under £100.

Then just practise, remember it’s all about technique not strength. Practice for 15 to 30 minute periods so you dont get tense or sloppy.

Eventually you’ll get a good reliable crack, then improve by trying to put as little force as possible into the whip while still getting a good meaty crack.

When you’ve got the technique polished and the power down to a minimum you can start working on accuracy. A balloon is good for accuracy – get one dangling from a bit of string. You’ll soon notice if you’re hitting it central or on one side or the other.

You’ll also learn the ping that it makes when you get the cracker to crack right on the surface.

Most important, have fun!

I had a cheep whip this last Halloween and practiced with it for nearly an hour befor going out, first 5 or so minutes was spent just getting it to snap and then I spent a lil while trying to aim it specifically at something, say a light switch or a magnate on the frige, it was pretty hit or miss with the aiming, I’d hit the object like 7 times in a row then miss or 3 times in a row then miss, I wasn’t ever consistent, and bc it was a cheep whip it unraveled on me before the night was threw =(

I’m hopeing to find another whip that’s not constructed so poorly and really get some practice time into it so I can not only aim it accurately but also strike things at varying degrees of force.

Whips are the i-pod of the x-generation.

After I saw Halle Berry work the whip in catwoman, I was intrigued! I’m no expert, but the guy taught me how to make it crack…it’s sexy as hell!

you’d be amazed how much respect your children give you when you threaten to get the whip out. It’s also a great ice breaker at parties….I keep my whip in the boot of my car and in combination with my licence plate “bytchy” I once had a mechanic who was wiring something up in the boot ask if I used the whip for work…..i nearly died of embarrassment.

Whips, though appearing to be an act of skill and intimidation, are actually really simple to work. It’s all in the wrist. Within a few hours, I was able to hit light switches and cigarettes without bruising anything.

Picking things up with it though, that’s a toughie.