Beginner’s Guide to Impact Play (a.k.a. Spanks for the Memories)

Are you hot to crop? Want to whip up a frenzy? Or do you prefer getting some hands-on experience, in case you’re up a creek without a paddle?

Puns aside, “Impact Play” covers spanking, caning, paddling, cropping, whipping, flogging, and any other practice which involves someone being hit with something for pleasure.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Always have everyone’s consent when engaging in impact play. The difference between being kinky and being abusive comes down to consent; if the person being hit wants to stop, you must stop immediately.

Safety

You can’t just start hitting your partner willy nilly – you need to know where it’s safe to hit, and where to avoid. In the image below:

• Green zones are fine,
• Yellow are OK if you’re careful,
• Orange areas are best avoided by anything except a light touch,
• Pink (joints and ears) are definite no-go zones.

Types of Impact Play & Tools

Spanking
A straightforward smack with the palm of the hand. Keep your hand loose (not rigid), and swing from the elbow instead of the shoulder.

Paddling
Using a flat paddle instead of the hand, but a similar technique.

Caning
Using a thin rod/cane, usually on the butt, and capable of leaving pretty severe marks and even wounds.

Cropping
A flexible tool consisting of a thin pole with a flexible flap on the tip (usually leather). The aim is to hit the recipient smartly with the flexible tip; avoid using the shaft as it can break.

Flogging
Floggers come in different sizes, and generally consist of a handle with strips of leather or other flexible material attached. These can be used gently as a way of teasing your partner, or more intensely for a more “thuddy” impact. Be careful to avoid the strands wrapping around the recipient’s body and hurting a danger zone.

Whipping
A more advanced form of impact play – start with a “flicker” whip, and with experience you’ll be able to get your Indiana Jones on – as long as there aren’t any snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?