Club Obi Wan

Hey guys.

I'm trying to crack a forward throw. I've been watching Bernie's video on YouTube, and I can do the Circus and Overhead just fine. I'm having trouble getting the rhythm of the forward throw. I've tried the "throw the whip like a ball" technique, but my whip just flies way over my head. I can't figure out how to get the loop in there.

Is it because I am using a floppy 8' Mexican whip? Or should that make much of a difference? I'd really like to get a combo down.

Any suggestions?

Shtick

don't take this for TOO much, because I've had a real whip for all of three days now (and can't keep a cracker on to save my life), but I tried the "throw the whip like a ball" thing too, and while it didn't go over my head, it just whooshed, and didn't whip. for me, I get a nice crack when I throw the whip like a ball and then snap my wrist back midway. the whip goes straight as an arrow and then cracks nicely at the end. it's too fast for me to see the loop, but I don't think it's possible to crack it WITHOUT the loop, so I think it's right.

but I think it's important not to pull back too much, because then you send the whip towards your face. you just have to snap your wrist back enough to stop the handle dead in its tracks. again.. if I'm wrong, please, someone chime in.

After buyinh the new bullwhip book by andrew conway. Things became alot more clear for me. I then went and look at video of others whip cracking and that made a big improvement for me ( in just a matter of a day or two).

Sweet. I looked at that book on Amazon, and it states it focuses on three basic cracks. Which cracks are those?

It has more than 3 cracks in it - don't worry about that. Basically is the idea that if you learn the 3 basic cracks; the forward crack, the sidearm crack, and the overhead crack, then all other cracks are just variations, which it goes through as well. It also talks about volleys, cutting and wrapping targets, little tricks and stunts, performing, the history of the whip, whips as weapons, and more. It's a great book and would be well supplemented by a video, as pictures can only do little more than give you an idea of what you should be doing. I recommend it and would suggest also getting any sort of instructional video as well (which I don't have but would love).

In Christ,
Shane

Sweet. I'll pick it up.

Shane, where do you practice? I noticed your videos look like it's in your front yard. Do the neighbors give you grief? Newport Beach doesn't take kindly to noise, apparently. Guess they forgot they live under an airport... ;-)

Yeah I just practice in my front yard - nobody cares.

Once I had a cop drive by and roll down his window and laugh and say, "I thought there were firecrackers going off down here!" and then he left. Hm! Yeah, front yard for me. I usually don't power my whip though (unless I'm having a bad day, I might throw one or two loud ones to get it out) and I usually don't practice for more than an hour.

In Christ,
Shane

Success!!

Based upon the advice from another thread about the Forward/Sidearm Throw being a U-shaped crack rather than a loop paid off! After about 20 minutes of work (and a few neighbors closing their windows), I was able to crack both the forward and the sidearm! Not very loud yet, because I'm not putting much into them at the moment. But I was able to do my first combo! Forward Throw/Overhead Crack. It's a good feeling.

Cairo scene, I'm learning your tricks! I will have you yet!

pschtyckque wrote:a few neighbors closing their windows

Happens to me all the time.