Club Obi Wan

I am having some difficulty stringing some cracks together to make combos. I know some basic cracks but want to elaborate on them - and I know practice makes perfect, but my brain does not seem to move as fast as the whip and I can't process the information fast enough.
Can anyone recommend some good ways to help get my brain up to speed?

Try thinking up a string of several cracks, then practicing them in backwards. Here's what I mean:

Let's say you were to do this: Under hand * Circus Crack * Reverse circus crack * overhead crack

I'm going to assume you know all these cracks and basically have the muscle memory to do them without thinking much. Practice the 3rd and 4th crack, so you'd practice a two crack combo going from reverse circus to overhead. Practice those two until you have the muscle memory to go from reverse circus to the overhead without thinking.

Once you have those two down you add a third crack (which will actually be the 2nd of the combo), so you will go: circus crack, to reverse circus crack (I Know those two make a slow 8, but for simplicity I"m not going to use a combo as an example of how to learn a combo) to overhead crack.

After you've developed the muscle memory for that three crack combo you'll add the first crack to make it a four crack combination. So now you'll be working on the whole four crack sequence.

Personally I've found that learning from the back to the front works well for me. Think of it as trying to find an address: if you know the end point really well, it's much easier to find than if you know your starting point really well..that's why it's always easier to find your way home from a strange place than it is getting to the strange place.

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

* Try the sequence in slow motion, without a whip in your hand
* Try the sequence in slow motion with a whip in your hand - it will flail like a limp noodle, but you'll get a sense of how your hand should move and twist
* Try the sequence at regular speed, but focus on the smooth motion *not* actually getting cracks
* Adjust as necessary until you're cracking

Here's my two cents: take your time. Make sure that you are really comfortable with the individual cracks. Trying to connect them together before the individual cracks are clean just means that you are likely to hurt yourself, or simply get nowhere fast. There is nothing more painful for me to watch than someone who tries to crack a whip too hard, to fast, and all the while trying to pull off three moves in a row.

I can connect a lot of cracks with one whip, but right now I'm trying to learn two handed cracking sequences and routines. So, I'm breaking things down, taking my time, doing things with one hand, and then the other, and then both together. I go slow, slow, slow. This is how to learn combos: make sure you can do both cracks very well on their own. Next thing you know, you'll find that one just naturally flows into another. Louie's suggestion of underhand to circus to reverse circus to overhead is good. But if there is a weak link in that chain for you, then just focus on or two at a time. If the forward underhand flick isn't easy, there's no sense in trying to connect it to a circus crack, because you'll just be fighting with them both.

Sorry if I'm making any wild assumptions here: I don't know which cracks are easy and which are difficult for you, but let's just say that a crack like the underhand flick is difficult for you, since I think it's difficult for a lot of people. At a certain point, once the individual cracks are clean, you'll see it's simply a matter of keeping the whip moving and staying in control of its energy at all times. Any time the whip is doing something you didn't command it do, close your eyes, and cover your face with your free hand: the whip is probably about to hit you.

Daren Henry

I've only been practicing with a whip for less than a week now - not too much time since it's been VERY cold and windy out. I can to the overhead and forward crack. Last night I was able to do an overhead and lead into the forward.
For the life of me, I can't seem to get a reverse crack or a forward 'flick'.
I've been watching some YouTube videos, then running outside to try what I saw mostly without success. I know it will come with more time and practice.
Thank you for taking the time to post some pointers for me.

check this vid out. I have learned much from this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnUQEYFt ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Frosty,
In your situation, I would opt for purchasing training DVDs if you don't already have them:

Mastering the Bullwhip with Anthony Delongis:
An excellent tutorial about learning interpretation with your whip and keeping safe while executing all of your cracks. Disc two refers to the introduction of combination cracks

Whip Basics:
Three DVD set that starts out with the basics of how to do the simple cracks and as the series goes on, shows you how to link them together giving you ideas of how to come up with combinations. Includes 23 cracks in a row.

The only YouTube videos I can recommend are that of Adam Winrich, a heck of a nice guy who really got me interested in cracking whips again.

As mentioned earlier, take your time. A mishap with a whip can set you back if you injure yourself!

Crack On!
Allen

Both video sets you mentioned above look to be sound investments. I have also been watching Adam Winrich's videos on YouTube - I have to say, they have been the most helpful for me in learning the basic cracks I can do now, but I am still having trouble learning the "flick".
One "combo" I am doing now is the overhead crack into a forward cattlemans crack. It seems slow between the two so I am wondering how to turn the overhead crack into something else BEFORE doing the cattlemans crack.
I have seen a crack that is done underhand - like an underhand cattleman. Would it be possible to start with the overhead, then after the whip cracks and it is extended behind you, swing it under/forward for a crack - then lead that into the cattleman's crack?

Hi Frosty,
I am not a teacher, but I will offer what I have discovered over the years. The flick is troublesome to learn, it took me some tinkering to get it right. It is sometimes hindered by the way the whip is held and also if you start from “in front” or “behind” for the setup of the technique. Depending on the whip, I usually start with the whip behind me and execute it similarly to Adam’s video demonstration. He breaks it down really well and you will hear from many that the “in front” method or the “behind” works differently for them. The biggest issue is body and whip alignment, make sure the whip is traveling straight ahead, if the whip is at an angle, you will get tangled as Adam said and the whip gets confused as it tries to follow what it is told to do. Slowly perform the technique, get a feel for it. The whip will crack even if the technique is done correctly at a slow speed. Much like anything else that is technique driven (martial arts for example…) there is no “one way” to perform it. You will have to start with the basics of how the flick is done and figure out what works for you. Funny thing is that once you get it down, the sidearm flick (which was easier for me to learn at first) is a nice “transitional” crack to bridge from one plane to another as well as the “underhand flick”. Take your time on this and listen to your arm during your technique execution, it will let you know if it is not working well for you. As you get more used to cracking on a normal basis, you will gain sensitivity that will also grant you the ability to know when the whip is falling out of control and could possibly injure you.

As for combinations, usually most people (myself included) use the overhead crack as a “last line” technique. I usually use it to finish off a routine or as a setup to do a reverse body wrap or a “continuing the line” to reenergize the whip. Keep in mind, once the whip cracks, all the energy in the whip is spent, so you have to keep it moving. A combo exercise that really helped me early on was the following four crack combo: Underhand flick, Circus crack, Sidearm flick, and finally the overhead crack. The combo forces you to learn the flick in variation so that you pick it up rather quickly. Remember safety first though, this particular set can bite you, so be careful! Then again, any crack can, but you get my meaning .

You can do the overhead first, but it sets you up for an “unwinding” crack type scenario. It will be hard to transition from that crack to the under/forward crack without a “transitional” crack placed in the chain between them. Remember cracking is all about flowing, less is more; you will get to a state to where the minimal movements yield a crack. Plus, the less flow in your technique, the more chances you take with your shoulders and possible rotator cuff damage. Again, I am not a teacher, but I hope this helps a little bit.

Crack On!
Allen

Sure thing - thanks for the tips. It could also be my whip; I'm waiting for my Joe Strain to arrive so I am using my Todd's whip to practice.
The reason I suggested the forward flick fallowing the overhead crack is because after I do the overhead crack, the whip is swinging to my far right. I would just keep it moving until it goes behind me, then bring it forward for the flick which will then turn into the 'circus' crack.
I would also like to learn the 'Cairo Flash' as demonstrated by someone on YouTube.

Ah yes, the flick.
It too gave me fits, and through help from the many great members here and practice practice practice, it finally came to me in a way that sticks.
I can now perform it the way Adam does in his vid (starting with the whip in front, dragging it back and up then flicking forward) and in the drag and push method. Both work great and offer a different feel.

And seeing as the weather is now officially winter up here, I've been doing the flick in our hallway at home when I feel a need to crack.
My wife goes nanners when I do it, but as long as I warn her before I flick, it's OK

The point I'm trying to make is once you "get it", it becomes second nature to you and you can refine it further and further in terms of control.

One thing that I noticed with the flick now is that the success finally came when I held the bottom of the whip with a much looser grip. Harrison Ford spoke of whip technique as relaxation and wrist movement at the right time, I feel that applies to the flick precisely.

A great way to practice the flick in the winter is to do it indoors. I live in a condo so I don't have a huge place to practice inside (like a basement or garage). However getting a short whip like a signal whip will let you do all the flicks you want inside where it's warm and dry.

A 4 foot 8 plait signal whip from Joe Strain or David Morgan are under $200 and one from Paul Nolan is just a couple bucks over $200. I love my 4 foot 8 plait signal whip from Joe Strain and it lets me do a lot of practice in my living room!

Louie
http://bullwhips.org

Yep,
Doing the inside the house thing here as well (mid 20's right now...). A short whip sure does help when it is like this outside. The funny thing is that I have had to break in my new Delongis 8ft from inside the house, the sad thing is that I have not been able to take it outside hardly at all..

Crack On!
Allen

Getting cold here too - in the low 30s but it has also been VERY windy the last four days on top of the cold so it's even worse! Does cold weather have an effect on whip use outdoors?
Not enough room to practice inside, maybe I can find a local gym that will let me do some practicing.
I think once I finally nail the flick, I can string together the combo I am trying to do.

I find the whips to be VERY sluggish in the cold. My usual way of cracking prep consists of letting the whips lay out in the sunlight to help them loosen up before I get started. So this is a major bummer with the weather just dropping like it is.

Crack On!
Allen

So I'm not the only one getting hit with the depressing cold weather.
It hurts me a little more since I am JUST getting started with whip cracking and my confidence is slowly increasing now that I can comfortably (and safely) do an overhead and circus crack - I really want to learn the forward throw and underhand flick but with the weather being so darn cold and windy I guess I'm just going to have to whip with my eyes...

We got hit with some snow, but things have simmered down enough where I was able to get some cracking in today. I can't do the forward flick to save my life! My arm and shoulder started to really sting after a while from the workout, but it looks like I can only still do the overhead and forward crack.
This spring I am definately going to invest in a DVD course and go after this full swing.

Hello!

Usefull tips:
- to learning any flick, is to use some flat surface to create blockade for a whip. Let say that You standing in parallel to some wall, and trying to crack sideway flick. If you want to make forward flick, you have to use some tree branches.

What does it do? This "blocade"? If you will try to see, how the whip is acting doing flick, you will notice that his trajectory is very straight. Many whipcrackers, on the beggining are trying to make forward flick, creating large curve with a whip. They are swinging the whip, not pulling it. The "blockade" is trying to make you to do that.

That helps to some people that I teach.

- Some cool exercise for wrist you can do at home, using last 2-3 ft of the whip, or rope. Sit comfortable on a floor. Take whip end or rope to right hand, and straight it in front of you. Now using just wrist (without any additional moves of your arm or shoulder) pull the whip in front of you with wrist flick.

What does it do? It practise your wrist to create better flick and it's strenght your forearm muscles.

- Stretch your wrist. I had some people, that simply has very stiff wrist. It's quiet hard to crack with such. How to stretch it? Make a fist and rest knuckles on your chest. Bend wrist, and stretch. It shouldn't pain. If it's painfull stretch it a little less harder

Karol,
http://kiscienwhips.com

I know it wouldn't hurt, but do you think investing in some good training DVDs would help with learning combos?

Hello!

It always better to watch then read . If you know how whip should walk through every crack (some people can just look on a moving whip, think a while and say: this whip should go like that... and than I will crack it) than you just need to practise that move. If you can't recognise how whip should move, buy a DVD, or watch Adam's video on youtube. He shows it very clearly. You just need to analyze this

Personally I can't give you any speciall title about "how to crack". I have Mike Murphy's DVD and Simon Martin DVD, but there is only show how to make a pattern called "plaplapla". Some tips are shown in basic dvd that Mike made. But I wouldn't call it the best "how to" video that can be made. About other DVDs I can't say anything.

So if you have problems with cracking in combos, practise more. Most of that is on youtube. If you want to know how crack called kahona, or mexican wife looks like... buy DVD .

Remember to stretch your wrist it will help you. And it takes only 2 minutes per day on one wrist.

Karol
http://kiscienwhips.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;