My mom used to send us for switches. My brother, 4 years younger than me, and I got in trouble when I was about 12. I brought in a "proper" switch. He brought in something like a piece of grass, lol. My mom "switched" the switches. haha He got it with mine and I got it with his.
She mostly just swatted the back of our leg with her hand (stung like crap on bare skin). Don't ever remember a whipping from my dad.