The most intense and difficult implement used in BDSM scening is the singletail. It is also one of my favorite implements for edge play. I utilize the term edge play, for the simple fact, that regardless of the amount of knowledge that the wielder may have, there is always a margin of error involved. Singletail whips are not for the faint of heart. It will be edgeplay for both the Top and the bottom. It will take a high degree of skill to use it effectively in a scene, but trust me, it will be well worth the effort.
I will admit that I have been in the receiving role more often than as the wielder. Quite simply because, I enjoy the sensations that can be created and the amount of control that the singletail represents. Of course the edge play, dynamics, mastery and amplification of the Top's actions all combine to make it an intensive, enjoyable experience, hopefully for the both of us. Besides, I enjoy the fact that my Top will have worked up a sweat as well and the head space that my Top is now experiencing is an added rush to my own, creating to me, a perfect culmination.
Now I would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of the singletail. Before you purchase your singletail whip, go down to the local hardware store and buy a pair of safety goggles. You are only given one pair of eyes. When I first started using singletail whips, I was told the same thing. After I was bitten the first time, by my own hand no less, I understood why. So, quite simply, get goggles and use them until you become proficient. Handle your whip as carefully as you would a chain saw and you’ll be fine. I would recommend you purchase a 4’ singletail whip in either an 8-plait or 16-plait or higher. In general, the more plaits (strands) the whip has, the more accurate it will be. Every time you pick up a whip, always check the end of it, making sure there is no knot at the end of the cracker (the bundle of strands attached to the end of the whip). This knot, if used in a scene, can do lots of unintended damage. Checking for any knots is a habit worth cultivating and should become automatic with time.
I am right handed and am writing the approach from a right handed perspective, although the person from whom I learned was left handed. I willingly admit that I am not ambidextrous, although I did attempt to learn to utilize either hand, I found, after targeting myself a fair number of times, that it was simply easier to develop my skill using my dominant hand.
Stand comfortably, with your feet slightly apart and well balanced. Next, turn and look over your right shoulder. That is where your target area will be. You should be standing at a right angle to your target. Hold the whip in your right hand and swing it in a slow, wide arc in front of you. Feel the whip wrap around you and your upper arm area. Relax. Get the feel of it. Flow with it. Let the whip show you what it will do. It is your responsibility to get to know the whip, not the whip’s responsibility to know you. Each whip is handmade and will be different. Work within the whip’s limits and don’t try and force it to do what it will not or cannot do. Force is your enemy. Go slowly and let it flow. Become one with the whip. Try taking off your shirt or blouse and feel the whip as it wraps around your body and then reverses itself, and unwinds off you, beginning the arc back. This should become very fluid. NEVER jerk the whip back at you, trying to crack it. Shakes head vehemently, unless your desire is a trip to the doctor's office or hospital. All whips have a top and a bottom. Try twisting the whip around in different positions when throwing. The whip will show you which is the top and which is the bottom position by not wobbling when you throw it. When held correctly, your throw will be straight.
There are two basic throws when using a whip. Now, instead of swinging the whip in a wide arc, start moving your forearm in a backhand motion out in front of you. Rotate your wrist so the inside of your wrist leads towards the target. Watch the action of the whip; it should start to resemble a hairpin curve as your throw it out. Point your thumb in the direction of your target and let it flow. Don't jerk the whip back towards you. This is one of the two basic throws you will be using primarily on the left side of the bottom’s body, on both the back and the buttocks.
The other basic throw you will use in the scene is the overhand throw. Hold the whip with the end falling over your right shoulder. Next, throw your arm out at 1:00 and point your thumb at your target, like casting with a fishing pole. This throw will be used primarily for the right side of the bottom’s body. Once you have mastered these two basic throws, you can start combining the two throws together. Throw overhand at 1:00 and bring your arm to the left, back across your chest, and let the whip wrap around you. Hesitate for a split second and then send it backhand to your target. Keep the whip parallel to the ground. Don’t try and rush the whip, timing is everything, work on it and you will see what I mean.
Now, you need a practice target. You’ll need something that’s very soft, I found out the hard way that you could ruin your cracker quickly by knocking leaves off plastic plants. Take a 4’ x 1’ piece of plywood and two standard pillows with white pillowcases. Slip the pillows on the piece of plywood, one on each end. Take a straight back, armless chair, and prop up the piece of plywood with the pillows facing you. Now take a marker and draw your target area on the pillowcases. The top pillow will be for the upper part of body and the lower pillow for the lower part of body. (Have someone stand next to the pillows so you can mark the target area accurately.) The top of the target area should start just below the bottom’s shoulder blades and extend down about 6 or 7 inches. This is the upper target.
STAY AWAY FROM THE SMALL OF THE BACK, THE KIDNEY AREA, as well as the SHOULDER BLADES if the bottom is not well padded there.
Hitting bone will hurt! On a personal note, I am not well padded in the shoulder area, but greatly enjoy the feel of the whip on my shoulders. This is an individual preference, so it is vital that you learn the preferences of your bottom, as each will vary. Draw a line down the center of the pillows to represent the backbone. When hitting with the whip, stay on either side of the spine. Come across it at an angle and avoid a direct hit. Then draw the buttock target area. Dye the whip cracker with black leather dye. This will mark on the pillow so you can see exactly where your throws are landing and at what angle. This will give you visual feedback so you can adjust instantly between throws. You will be learning how your body and whip interact with each other. Just as in any new relationship, the more you know, the more comfortable you become. This becomes a real interesting learning experience.
Start with your body perpendicular to your target with your butt in line with the backbone. Now, while throwing overhand, slowly shuffle your feet, moving your body to the left, and turning until you are almost parallel but to the left side of the target. Somewhere between these two positions, you will find YOUR SPOT where both your overhand and your backhand throws hit right on target. Keep adjusting your feet until you find just the right position and angle. Remember what this position looks like and what it feels like.
Remember everything you can about that moment when you finally find it; where your body and feet are in relation to your target. When you finally find the right position, don’t rush the moment. You want that position to become a HABIT so you will not have to think about how to return there during a scene. You want that position to become second nature to you. The second adjustment is the extension of your arm. Since you only use the cracker (the multi-strand, 2-3” at the end of the whip) sneak up on the target cautiously and softly - brush the target - get your range. Go slowly. Try not to hit repeatedly in the same area and move the hits around. Your arm should be about 90% extended with the whip making a soft popping noise. When you want to really crank up the intensity of the strike, take a half step back and full extend your arm. Keep practicing. Accuracy is extremely important and the more accurate you are, the higher your confidence will be. Your mind will be continuing adjusting and re-adjusting, based on the last strike and where you want the next one to fall. Eventually, you’ll stop thinking consciously about the mechanics and adjustments and you’ll be “willing” yourself and your whip to your target. The secret is NOT THINKING. That does not mean being stupid; it means quieting the endless jabbering of thoughts so that your body can do instinctively what it’s been trained to do without the mind getting in the way.
Now you are ready to practice on a living, breathing, moving target. You need as much control as possible. The more control you have, the better you will be. This will require absolute, total focus on what you are doing at all time. Not only will you be throwing the whip, and adjusting your body angle and position, but you’ll also be trying to read your bottom’s body language and signals. Much will be going on between strokes and a high degree of focus is necessary. Start very slowly and reassure your bottom as much as possible. You’ll want to err on the side of caution, but understand that it’s possible to go too slowly and too lightly. When you do, the whip will hit a “stall speed” and drop below the area you are trying to hit ever so softly. When this happens (and it will) acknowledge the mistake, tell the bottom that you’re sorry, and start over again. This is a learning process for both of you. Eventually, you’ll both be ready to use the singletail whip in a real scene. Most importantly, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
As previously discussed, you’ll need to start slowly. This lets the bottom get used to the whip and also allows you to find THE SPOT through the bottom's body signals. Each of you is getting comfortable with the other and what is happening. You are melding and becoming joined. Give frequent rest breaks with plenty of touching, whispering and a sip of water for the bottom. (if needed) Build up the intensity over time with varying combinations, ever increasing to a higher level. You can strike hard or soft. You can throw a “single” (either backhand or overhand throw) or a “double” (an overhand followed by a backhand throw). You can throw it fast or you can take time between strikes. These are a few of the variables you have to work with. Over time, you’ll find what works best for both of you. When the bottom starts swaying, not flinching with each hit… they're floating in subspace. This can happen either instantaneously or over a course of time, dependant on the bottom and the amount of trust that they have in you and your abilities.
Smiles, everything will be alright if you just breath, relax and enjoy the sensations that you are creating and the ultimate pleasure your partner should be experiencing. All that time and effort will be well worth it! I LOVE singletail whips. The sensation varies from a soft touch to a sharp, intense pain, whether the pain is sharp and stingy or deep and thuddy. Rather than long stripes of pain (like a cane stroke) these feel like individual, concentrated, almost pinpoint strikes. As a bottom I can only say, singletails bring a sense of edgeplay that is both frightening and exciting because I don’t know how hard or how intense it will be, where the whip will strike, or where it will take me. Singletail whips can send me into subspace faster and deeper than any other implement and if used in combination ...
* by anonymous *
