the caning scene in Kes, in which you will see the headmaster using the wrist gripping technique. This is exactly what happened in my school , though the head did you either on your own or two at a time, and not in a long line. In order to cane effectively like this it is a simple matter of changing to a slightly side on position so you can get a full swing in.
I did read, in a national newspaper, in a ” Your Favourite Film ” series that this caning was for real, and judging by the reactions of the boys this may well be correct.