From falls & poppers to plaiting & cracking technique, this section is dedicated in memory of Sergei, IndyGear Staff Member and Whip Guru. Always remember to keep "Celebratin' Life!"
jerryrwm wrote:Peter Jack told of a fella in New Zealand who having just done a "coachman's crack" grabbed the side of his head. Someone in the group told him he was bleeding, and when he took away his hand, it was discovered that he had taken the top half of his ear off. Then to make matters worse, they couldn't find the missing piece. Peter said he wears a prosthetic piece for an ear now. The first coachman's that I did actually went off close enough that I could feel the puff of air against my ear when the cracker went off! That was the end of that whip session. I was nervous enough that I couldn't swing the whip in any direction.
Jerry R
I am curious as to what exactly is a Coachman's Crack? Thanks ahead of time your help!
I am assuming its the same crack as the Cattlemans crack. Basically its like a forward crack only you wait about a second longer before the throw and this causes the whip to crack directly to the right or left of your head. Sounds like the injury was caused by this crack. Very dangerous crack, not for amatuers. I'm somewhat experienced and I get alittle nervous when I do this crack.
The basic coachman's crack strats with the whip in front. Then raise your whip hand like the cattleman's crack. As the whip continues to travel up and back, stop your whip hand a bit past your ear, arm bent at the elbow wrist hand high and steady. Allow the thong to continue to travel back and let it drop down. It should actually slightly swing underneath your elbow. At that point a little bend in the elbow, and then the whiphand and arm go straight up. The whip will crack behind your shoulder, close to your head, so be careful. Many whipcrackers in competition use the coachman's crack to signify the end of a figure or a routine. But with practise you can learn to do them in front of you, to the opposite side, overhead (it's used in the "helicopter") and even do reverse coachman's cracks followed by a regular one. Looks pretty impressive.
Get ahold of a copy of Mike Murphey's Fundamental Whipcracking. He teaches about 10 or 11 basic cracks from the cattleman's to the flick, the coachman's to the Sydney Flash, the Queensland Flash to the Arrowhead and many more. While Mike uses stockwhips in the video, with a little practise one can make a respectable showing of all of these cracks using your Indy whip. Some are a little harder, but perseverence will pay off.
Hope that helps,
Jerry R
ps: remember to wear those glasses and a wide brimmed hat when learning this crack. Ear plugs aren't a bad idea either.
