That makes the whip fly in its own personal way. For consistent accuracy, always hold the whip with the same part up. Mark the handle if you need to. You will find the point at which the whip hangs most naturally without seeming to deviate right or left or seem to be lifting up. Always hold it hanging that way.
Consistency is the key to safety and effectiveness.
I've just noticed that most of my instructions assume you are going to be using the whip for accuracy. If you are going to just make the sucker go BANG, you won't have to worry about much of the subtle stuff. Just get it swinging in the right direction, make a reversal so you create the all-important loop, make sure it isn't traveling in a plane that will intercept any part of your body, and you're off. I have not been hurt. It is not the popper doing the cutting, it is usually the fall.