Last month we talked about “Science Based Team Roping Basics” and as a short review I will remind you that “Gravity”  moves your loop down and the “Momentum” of your swing moves your loop to the left.  Both are a given in the basics of team roping and effect every other element of practice and competition.

Another basic element of team roping is the grip of the rope and the resulting swing.  How you grip the rope determines the action of the swing and loop.

The Mexican Vaquero grip and swing are generally used in team roping.  After WWII, Plymouth and New England nylon coil ropes became popular.  They adapted easily to the Vaquero swing because the ropes hung straight or with “back-swing” and were difficult to manage with any other grip and swing.  Most team ropers continue to use that outdated swing even though we now have highly superior, individually twisted, machine made team roping ropes.  The contemporary roper has the option to learn and develop new and more efficient techniques now that the technology is available.

The Vaquero grip and swing are the basics that require a heeler to learn timing.  The “wobble” of the loop, created by the Vaquero grip and swing, does not allow the loop to be “set up” in a position for the rope tip to enter the “catch area” from a direction that gravity and momentum can be used to the ropers advantage.  As a result timing becomes necessary.  Most of today’s ropers grip the rope with the back three fingers and extend the first or pointer finger on the loop (see photo 1) in the old Mexican Vaquero style.  The rope is turned over by swinging the back of the loop and then pushing and twisting the front of the loop to the left with the pointer finger along with a twist of the wrist.  The Vaquero swing turns over at least 180º every revolution and moves generally right to left as it opens up in front of the roper over the steer.  The loop is revolving or turning over when it should be gliding left with momentum and down with gravity for the catch.

There is an option.  We have developed a natural, science based grip and swing that we use in our training program.  Many ropers refer to our grip and swing as the  “Michael Jones Swing”.  The grip of the natural swing is similar to the right hand grip on a right-handed golf club.  (see photo 2)  Beginner ropers and ropers trying to improve find the swing less complicated to conquer.  The swing can be learned when practicing from any actual roping position.  (you will waste your time trying to learn it on a dummy from the ground).  

1. Grip the rope with the forefinger (ex-pointer-finger) wrapped around the coils and place the thumb on the coils to create a grip against the forefinger. The most amount of pressure from the grip is on the thumb, forefinger and next two fingers.  There should be very little contact with the rope and the little finger.

2. Grip and swing the front side of the loop, hondo down, without turning the loop over. (Revisiting last months article could be helpful.)  The elbow must remain elevated and behind your hand.  Allow the rope to “dip” down to the left as it crosses the steer while the thumb and hondo remain down.  The back of the loop is kept vertical above the hondo.

3. The only motion of the wrist is a slight wrist roll as the loop is powered to the top of the swing.  Make the circle of the swing with the forearm.

4. The elbow must be in a stable (elevated) position behind the swing and not “pumped to swing the loop.

The bio-mechanics of the natural, science based swing (the Michael Jones Swing) allow a heeler to set up the rhythm of the catch before and during the heeling corner.  This allows the heeler to “act” on the rhythm of the run rather than “react” to the timing of the position of the legs and body of the steer.  When the rhythm of the run is set up properly the steer will automatically be roped in time and practicing the difficult task of timing becomes unnecessary. 

Here is a step-by-step description of the bio-mechanics of the science based heeling corner using the Michael Jones swing and setting up the rhythm of the catch.  (see photo 3)

1. Before the corner, swing the loop over the steer using the method above. Notice (see photo 3) the thumb down, hondo down position of the rope over the steer.  Imagine the entire path of the orbit of the swing and note how the orbit of the loop swing covers the body of the steer.)

2. Swing aggressively at your best swing speed.  Use the same, aggressive swing speed for all steers, slow or fast.

3.   When the steer’s head starts to turn, power the rope up into the top of the swing, keeping your loop over the steer, before you or your horse make any motion to enter the corner.  This is the motion that sets up the rhythm and prevents dragging the loop through the corner. 

4. As the steer’s head is pulled down and left, his hips and feet elevate.  As the rope passes over the steer, the heel horse will automatically be “cued” into the corner.  The front end of the horse will be moving down as the steer’s hips and legs are moving up.  The horse, loop and steer will all be in the same rhythm.  Notice (see photo 3) how Michael is watching the steer from the left side of his horse while keeping his loop over the steer.  If you maintain rope speed and don’t get caught timing the steer, the speed of the horse and steer will maintain the rhythm for several hops.

5. It is the header’s responsibility to turn the steer’s head to notify the heeler when to set up the rhythm of the catch before leaving the corner with the steer.  The header must maintain an aggressive steady pull on the steer at or slightly faster than the speed the steer leaves the corner.

6. Maintain the loop over the steer through the corner while maintaining the “dip” of the swing.

7. Maintain an upright body position and ride deep or close enough for the hondo to point at, and the tip of the loop to swing above, the shoulders of the steer before you separate and deliver.  (see photo 4)

8. Deliver the loop by swinging (not throwing or pushing) the tip of the loop into the opening in front of the legs of the steer.  Lower the hand flat, from the top of the swing, without lowering the elbow.  Hang on to the loop and guide the back of the loop to the ground.  Guide, don’t push the hand-hold !!!

9. Slack !  Dally !  and GO TO THE PAY WINDOW !

What time is it?  Maybe it’s time to develop new and more efficient roping techniques.  The technology is available and timing is one of the techniques that can be improved – by abandoning it.  

Does your swing effect your horsemanship?  Maybe we’ll talk about that next time.

Until then - enjoy the process,

David