The whip principle

A whip is a mean to transform low speed of a high mass into high speed of a low mass. Do not mix this with the lever principle.

Function of a whip

Did you ever hear the crack of a whip? That is caused by the ultrasonic speed of the tip of the whip. Astonishing! More than 680 miles per hour (in air at sea level). That speed cannot reach any hand.

The whip does amplify the speed of the hand. But only, if you swing your hand in that very special rhythm. This is the principle difference to a lever. The lever has nothing to do with rythm.

A whip is a sequence of pendula with decreasing length and mass. So the whip is mathematically viewed a multi pendulum. (Compare chapter "Technique - Calcules - double pendulum")

The back bone may have such a whip effect, with the hip as 'grip' and the neck as 'tip'. A slow push with the hip causes a higher speedy reaction at the neck, time delayed. (Compare chapter "Introduction - Medicine - Bones")

Even if you do not use this effect, you may want to have the back bone a certain stiffness, to avoid an unintended dampening of the throw at least.

Well, the above story is plain theory. Whipping practice is wanted to understand the effect. So I was looking for some material ... and I found an impressive video:

Bull whip cracking by John Bailey. Download the video hier or at John Bailey's website http://www.throwingknives.com . The video was made by a newspaper reporter at his churches boys club, where he teaches the boys [8 - 13] to throw knives, tomahawks and to use a whip.

Compare "Appendix (A) Throwing devices - Whip"

... Fourier analysis to gain insight into the necessary complicated rythm ...