Singletail Tutorial, Part III

Now that you have learned some basic throws and have started practicing learning to place the whip at a specific location, you can start exploring with your partner.

Before starting with your partner, there are two regions that you should be aware of and to avoid striking at all costs. Those who are experienced with flogging know to avoid the back of the neck and kidney areas. the same applies to whipping, more so in that a single tail whip, due to the concentration of energy in a single tail can cause internal injuries more easily than a flogger. To protect these areas, I suggest that you use a leather collar around the neck and a kidney belt or weight lifting belt to protect these areas.

Since tastes as far as whipping are as varied as the individuals, I will try to explain how I personally progressed with my interest. When I started using a signal whip on another person, I started with techniques that I use when flogging. In a manner more like massage than whipping, I started by rotating the whip across the bare at a variety of speeds starting with an overhead rotation, progressing to a figure 8 pattern across the back. Up to now I have not cracked the whip on the back, bu t merely dragged the popper across the back. The next step is to start lightly cracking the tip of the whip to the back while also dragging the popper across the back. My personal preference is to drag the tail across the back on a 45 degree angle in both directions. The resulting effect is that of a chevron pattern. Others will prefer vertical dragging down the back, others horizontal parallel to the ground. Whatever approach you do choose to pursue, try to keep the throwing techniques that you have learned in mind. Even though you are physically striking an object with the whip, in this case a body, remember to use good form, and always follow through. Direct the whip to strike and drag across the body rather than hit a single spot, then follow through.

I feel that it is important not to rush the sensory process. Especially when you are first starting out. Also keep an eye on your partner and observe the reaction time to a stroke, you may find that it is not always as instantaneous as the reaction to a flogger or belt or other implement. Because of the concentration of the energy being transferred from the whip to the body, there are a multiple of levels of reaction. Each individual is different so observe this when exploring.

When you are comfortable with a given intensity level proceed to the next.

Although a lot of individuals into single tail whips are ultimately interested in whips as a blood sport, that is not necessarily a requirement. The technique does not change, it is mere the degree of energy and speed at which the whip if thrown. By this time you will also learn that it does not take a lot of effort to crack a whip and will be able to crack it and strike and draw the whip across the back without necessarily breaking skin, giving you the auditory sensation and the physical without getting into an area that you may not be interested in exploring as yet. "Having your cake and...... "enuf said.

I personally rarely draw blood when using a single tail. I prefer to raise a welt without breaking the skin.

If you do choose to draw blood with a whip, there is the matter of cleaning the whip. Like the flogger, whips are made of leather and are porous by nature. The fall and the popper are leather and fabric material and cannot be truly sterilize. Hydrogen peroxide and water solution is probably the best cleaning solution although I do know of some who swear my the cleaning product "Simple Green".

I tried to keep the technical stuff as simple as possible. For more technical information, Western Arts locations, specifically those involving whip work can be of help. It is also very helpful to observe partners involved in a whipping activities whenever possible. On the whole, most people involved in S/M who play in public are a very receptive group and are more than willing to answer any questions that you may have. Certainly attending seminars and demonstrations are also excellent ways of learning. By observing others at play, you can see variations on these basic techniques, finding what works for you and what you can adapt to your play.

I hope this has given you some direction as far as beginning to explore this area. I hope that if not anything else, that the mystique of single tail whips was somewhat broken and that by understanding how it works and practicing with them, anyone can begin exploring a variety of sensations that a whip of this type can deliver. As with any interest ,I do believe that it is important not to be intimidated by any preconceived ideas and or imagery associated with it. Understand that they were created by other individuals' personal tastes as well as fantasies and should inspire rather than intimidate you from creating your own. So take the plunge and enjoy.

Working on the technical side of the entertainment industry, Master Al travels extensively around the country. He currently lives in Los Angeles after having spent 20 years on the East Coast.

Best described as a hobbyist, he has been involved in BDSM for 18 years in New York City as well as Los Angeles. In addition to exploring with other like minded individuals, he equally enjoys communication and the sharing of ideas in matters of BDSM.