Spinning it keeps it wide open and keeps a steady momentum so you can be ready to throw at any moment. Because you're typically working with a moving target, you don't always know, in advance, exactly when you're going to throw it, and you need to be ready as you're "closing in" on whatever you're trying to lasso.

[removed]

[removed]

Also, using the momentum of spinning can help the thrower adjust the size of the loop. You can feed more rope in to make the loop bigger, or pull it back to shrink the loop. Little adjustments on the fly before throwing.

This doesn't answer the question.

[deleted]

But that’s not what he was asking lol

Sure it is... he asks why spin and my answer was basically showmanship as seen in a rodeo.

Yes it literally does. You spin the lasso because you're in a rodeo and it's a show.

[removed]

[removed]

[removed]

And the Houlihan loop is easy to throw without spinning for catching horses in a corral

[removed]

Grew up on a ranch and this is more or less correct. There is also the fact that most times we do what’s called “feeding” the rope. To be efficient, you start with a small loop and as you swing you let more rope into the loop until it has a nice even weight to it before throwing. Some people can do this in one full swing before throwing.

Spinning it keeps the loop open and maintaining the same orientation. If someone didn't spin a lasso it would just be a limp rope. If the loop isn't open it can't catch anything since the target has to pass through the loop

[removed]

Rule 8: Don't Guess

The guy thinking "Damn trying to stop a cow with my body sucks horribly" with some rope lying around sounds like a good candidate for "I'll just use a rope with a loop in it"

What?! This thing exists in real life? All this time I thought, lasso was only a cartoon thing! I looked up some YouTube videos, and it really exists! Holy shit!

I've yet to see a calf separate from its mama just because it was asked.

Ideas and tools evolve as someone notices its more efficient for their body, strength, speed... etc.
I always have been amazed seeing pictures of how people ended using the actual "starting running position" in competitions.

Hahaha awesome pov!

[removed]

[removed]

Then why remove the comment? 😂

Ok so you’re trying to catch a moving bovine. You might be trying to catch them around the head, or the heels. But in either case, you’re moving yourself on a horse, and then also trying to capture something moving so it can be tricky to get your timing right.

For example. If you’re trying to heel a steer, there’s a very specific moment where you have to throw so the loop goes around both hind legs. So you have to get you/your horse/your steer in the right spot to get it done and then time it perfectly and it’s all very fast.

The twirling the rope gets and keeps it ready for when your moment appears.

Maybe watch some agriculture documentaries or something

Relevant XKCD: https://xkcd.com/1053/

I know absolutely nothing about lassoing, but my common sense guess is that you are typically aiming at a moving target, so you want to keep the lasso as ready as possible so you can throw it the second you’re ready.

Nothing was removed. By me at least

Have you tried saying “Please” ?

[removed]

You might have something there! Polite goes a long way, People.

[removed]

Well described. I think people don't get how the timing has to come together, and much of it is out of your control? So the best thing involved - and about the only thing you have total control over - is to have your lasso at the ready for when that perfect moment comes.

Centrifugal forces help to keep an open loop as it applies a tangential and normal force. Also helps aerodynamics and allows the loop to travel further. You can replicate this yourself by shooting a rubber band. First shoot it normal and you’ll see it kinda fizzle out. Now shoot the rubber band again but offset your index finger so one side is tight and the other side loose. You’ll notice the rubber band flies significantly further by inducing this spinning motion as it flies.

Yep, that's it. Not only are you aiming at a moving bobbing target (whether it's the head or horns or both back legs) you are on a galloping or cantering horse with a mind and cadence of its own. Maybe he gets distracted and maybe on uneven ground.

Many moving parts!

Competitive team roping is way more fun.

The other parts going on that are unsaid in this:

Your legs and shifting weight are helping to steer the horse while at speed and keeping your balance.

Your off hand is keeping the coils loose and untangled, so the extra rope will play out freely when you throw.

Your off hand is preparing to safely dally on the saddle horn, aka wrap quickly to lock in tension. You can and will get injured if this goes wrong. From severe rope burn to losing a thumb.

Keeping a repetitive motion with a 5 foot loop spinning over your head is helping keep the working end of the rope out of the way, preparing it to throw at the right time, and using muscle memory to help coordinate all the other actions going on simultaneously.

Beyond that, each rope is different as well, some are twisted for left hand vs right hand, some are stiffer, some are well broken in. The force of spinning keeps the loop from collapsing and getting twisted up.

On that note, it really is quite fun explaining the Yellowstone Supervolcano to somebody who's never heard of it before. Never mind when you tell them that there are several of these things around the world, and Yellowstone isn't even the one most likely to go off first.

I like the one where the person jumps off a horse to tackle and tie up a goat. I assume the goat doesn’t like it as much as I do but it’s great entertainment.

this guy ropes.