Bullwhip FAQ - The "Just Try It Young Ned"

Do not attempt to crack a whip until you have read the Safety Instructions

Matt:

Purpose: The origins of this one go back to a situation Max came across as a young 16 year old jackaroo in the bush. With an Aboriginal stockman they were herding 1200 long horn cattle to a nearby station about 600 miles away [Aussies have an interesting concept of 'nearby' - Ed.] when, while grazing one of the bulls started getting jumpy and took off from the heard. The stockman quickly mounted his horse and set of after the bull, with a young Max closely behind they were quickly gaining on the beast and Max recalls watching the stockman's horse dodging and weaving around and over spinifex bushes and rodent holes while at full speed, as they got within 15 yards or so the Aboriginal stockman threw out his whip in readiness while the bull stuck its front legs into the ground and with momentum its rear swapped ends and head down ready to gore the horses, Max's horse fell with Max ending up on the ground looking up to see the stockman standing in his saddle on his rearing mount just repeatedly throwing the whip overhand from one hand to the next making it sound like a shot gun on each occasion right on the bulls nose until the bull changed its stance and was quickly under their control again.

Method: You can start this with either hand but I have found its best to start with your stronger arm to get the right tempo. Start with your right hand holding the handle in a comfortable position and the whip laid out in front pointing at a target, when ready drag the whip through behind you while turning your body as if to throw a tennis ball, as the whip moves behind turn your wrist to the right fully and while keeping the arm straight bring your right arm over the shoulder at a quick pace keeping the palm of your hand facing the target, as the arm rotates past your ear bring down your wrist in a hammer motion which will cause a good loud crack. As the whip cracks bring your left hand forward and grasp the handle and drag the whip through the left side and repeat as for the right side continually swapping hands as you go. The goal is to get all this happening in one very fluid motion as quick as you can.

IMPORTANT: You must keep your arm(s) straight at all times otherwise expect to get an unscheduled hair cut! If in doubt - wear a helmet.

Result : Bit of a "crowd pleaser" particularly if you do it to 6 or 7 balloons in a row filled with coloured talcum powder - very loud and very colourful.