Bullwhip FAQ

Indiana Jones may have made the bullwhip famous, but the weapon has been around for thousands of years. Hieroglyphics show ancient Egyptians holding whips that were used for punishment and enforcement of slaves. Today, bullwhips have found a niche as a hobby sport, with its enthusiasts practicing tricks and putting on whip-cracking shows. While bullwhips can be high-energy entertainment, they can also be very dangerous if used improperly.

History

The bullwhips used by Egyptians were built to hurt, featuring a whip end with multiple braids, which would create several welts at once on the backs of slaves. These whips could also feature barbs or jagged metal spikes at the end to tear flesh. Another version of the bullwhip, similar to today's whip featuring a single, pointed end, was used to herd cattle or other livestock. While bullwhips are still used in some parts of the world as a herding device, today they serve mainly as a form of entertainment.

Safety

Using a bullwhip, particularly for tricks that can bring the whip-crack close to the body, requires safety gear to prevent injury. It is recommended that you wear safety goggles and a helmet to protect your head from injury. You can also wear a safety vest on your upper body, and you should wear blue jeans or a thick pant to protect your legs. Leather is an effective protectant from bullwhip cracks and is a popular choice for a vest.

Cracking the Whip

Lay the bullwhip flat on the ground pointed away from you, with the handle near you. Grab the handle and swiftly bring the whip handle over your head. Keep your wrist limber. Your goal is to create a wave in the whip that will roll to the end and crack, so form is more important than speed. When the rest of the whip has traveled over your head, but before it goes limp in the air and falls behind your back, bring the whip handle swiftly forward using your forearm, rather than your wrist or upper arm strength. Watch the wave roll down the whip, and pull back just as it is about to hit the end. If you hear a dull thud, you are not throwing the wave properly.

Tricks

There are two main tricks in addition to the standard overhand throw that you can do. One is a reverse snap. Start by holding the whip behind you, hanging limp. Bring the whip forward in front of you to get the whip in motion, then pull back again to get the wave rolling in the whip. Pull the whip forward again as the wave travels down the whip to create a cracking sound. This is more difficult than the forward whip because you cannot see the whip and must get the timing right. You can also try a serpentine crack, in which you hold the whip handle like you are cutting meat on a counter, moving the handle up and down and creating movement and momentum that will move the whip in an S-shape over your shoulder and result in a crack.

Warning

Whips should never be used in interactions with another person. You should not try to crack a whip at a person, even if they are wearing protective gear. You should always have at least four feet of clearance in any direction--including above you--before you crack your whip, and you may need more, depending on the length of your whip. No matter how confident you are, do not get aggressive or daring with your whip. This is when injuries are most likely to occur.

References

• Bullwhip.org: FAQ
• NHN.OU.edu