Club Obi Wan

I had my wife film me last night so I can check my form and work on correcting anything amiss with my cracks so far.
It was very windy so only a few videos worked out, the others sounded like she was standing in a hurricane!
It's been about 4 months since I started in earnest and I get out about twice a week for about 40 minutes at a time, more or less depending on the weather and my schedule.
The whip is an 8ft Joe Strain 28th Anniversary Raiders whip.

Everything needs work, some cracks more than others. Once I learn a crack, I work to refine it and keep a nice smooth relaxed form.
My Tasmanian Cutback needs work, I can't get my arm up my back as much as I should and bringing it down for the crack is for now, bringing it out for the crack. The Fast Figure 8 was just learned, as stated in my other post, recently, so I'm trying to iron that one out, but it can be achieved with regularity now.

There were a few cracks combos not present in these two vids as they were captured with far too much wind, or there was too much wind at times and the cracks and combos were simply not working right. I'll try and get out on Saturday to get a more comprehensive crack list done.

Be gentle with me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NCaS3EgCOM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDVkTVteUTc

You are taking it easy in the video. 1+

That's something a lot of people don't know how to do. Keep up the work.

An Indy 8 foot doesn't have that direct action for combos like a target whip or stock. That doesn't mean you can't do figure 8's and such. It just takes a little bit more practice because the length and short handle.

The Tasmanian cutback? Not super easy to do with an Indy whip especially for the beginner, but I'm all about trying. So bravo. If you are somewhat able to do it, you are taking things well.

And remember, even though you need more practice, we all do. Even the well seasoned handlers go back to the basics and work on it.

Good choice for a whip. Strain's whips are fantastic for everybody. That whip will do the work for you so keep that in mind. Can't really pick better for learning to crack with.

Gotta agree with Whip Dude.

Most of the time, I can look at videos folks have posted, and give them a little advice or come up with an excercise or analogy to help them improve what they're working on.

I got nothin'

You're taking it slow. You're not muscling the whip. Your cracks are all consistent in their repetition, (wind factor not withstanding.) Lines of motion and planes are all good and straight.

Excellent work, LR!

Oh, and BEAUTIFUL whip choice, by the way. ;-)

I agree with WhipDude and thefish. You got some nice skills! The Tasmanian cutback is pretty hard. I can barely even do it. Very well done!

And great whip!

Noah wrote:The Tasmanian cutback is pretty hard. I can barely even do it.

And that means you BOTH got me beat on that one!

thefish wrote:

Noah wrote:The Tasmanian cutback is pretty hard. I can barely even do it.

And that means you BOTH got me beat on that one!

Well, not really. That HAS to be the hardest one I've tried. It can't even crack, it just sort of does the motion. We'll get it if we keep practicing.

Thanks guys!!
It's nice to get feedback, you can only see so much when you look at yourself. Practicing without anyone around that shares the sport is tough at times too as it's just you and the whip (and my wife ). And if it weren't for this place, and all the help that is shared here, and in the vids, my path would be a lot more difficult.

The whip has been outstanding, Joe really does incredible work! I miss that nice light colouring it first had, but it is getting a nice aged look to it now. I'll post a "just arrived" and what it looks like today shot as soon as I can.

Thanks again for the kind words, it helps to reinforce the want to practice, practice, practice!

Ryan

Very well done!
You look so relaxed that you make it look easy.

That's the wonderful thing about it kwad. If it were easy, we wouldn't be sharing advice and admiring. We can enjoy the challenge and watch our progress and make friends in the process through asking for help.

I'd enjoy seeing a before and after photo of your whip. Natural tan ages beautifully if cared for properly.

WhipDude wrote:That's the wonderful thing about it kwad. If it were easy, we wouldn't be sharing advice and admiring. We can enjoy the challenge and watch our progress and make friends in the process through asking for help.

I'd enjoy seeing a before and after photo of your whip. Natural tan ages beautifully if cared for properly.

Well said, Whipdude!

(LR, I'd also like to see those before and after photo's.)

Well said indeed WhipDude!

I'd also like to see your before and after pics of your whip.

I snagged a couple quick photos of the whip as it is today, and also have some shots of it a few days after I opened it on Christmas morning (gift from my wife). I love it's original freshness, that beautiful pale into dark transition of colours. I do love how it's aging now too:

Now there's a whip that will never come unraveled on you!

Excellent whip and excellent video, LR!

You are a natural! Your relaxation is really working for you! Keep up the good work!

Daren Henry

Thank you very much Daren!
I've used a few of your videos for reference while learning, they've been of great help to me!

I'm trying to learn the move Anthony taught you, shown in your video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXFTIKh6DSo
I'll post a video if I'm successful at it

The "DeLongis Flash". Doing it on other planes or "backward" is fun too.

LR,

Looking great! It helps to have such a nice whip to work with. Keep it Up!

Crack On!
Allen

Beautiful whip!

It's aging slowly but surely. Looks like you are treating it carefully as well. I have a 2004 Strain that looks 3x better then some of the whips I see. Thanks for posting!

Thanks guys!
I try and dress the fall after every other practice session (I only practice on grass), and I've only wiped the thong down once with Peccards, just a small amount on a clean cloth.
Joe's work is incredible

Working on, or rather TRYING to work on the De Longis Flash.
Blasted wind has been ridiculous lately.
Had a few nice attempts this morning, but the wind started impeding progress and I biffed my ear in the process.
It feels strange starting from "goofy foot"...to borrow a snowboarding term...

Lukes Roommate wrote:Working on, or rather TRYING to work on the De Longis Flash.
Blasted wind has been ridiculous lately.
Had a few nice attempts this morning, but the wind started impeding progress and I biffed my ear in the process.
It feels strange starting from "goofy foot"...to borrow a snowboarding term...

Also a skateboarding term. But to me it's normal since I'm "goofy foot".

The DeLongis Flash is a fun one. Sorry to hear there's so much wind. Let us know when you have it! Keep practicing!