Human Anatomy & Impact Play
Impact play is the practice of repeatedly striking a consenting individual for the gratification of one or both parties.
It can be done by the use of hands, feet, knees, or with an implement, such as a paddle, flogger, or cane. There may or may not be a sexual element or release for either party.
Impact can be between a Dominant and a submissive within a BDSM dynamic, or between a Top and bottom with no power exchange involved.
Impact is a popular kink within the community and is regularly featured in dungeon parties.
How to Prepare for an Impact Play Scene
Inspect and Disinfect Your Toys Prior to Use
Tops should inspect their implements before a scene to ensure they’re safe to use - canes with splits and wooden paddles with cracks should be discarded as there could be a risk of breakage during play. Bottoms should also be allowed to inspect any implements before play.
Non-porous implements should be disinfected before and after use.
Leather implements, such as floggers and whips, can be wiped down with a slightly damp cloth and immediately dried. In the event an implement breaks the skin, they should not be used on multiple persons.
Avoid drugs and alcohol before and during Impact Play
As with any form of kink play, the Top and bottom should not be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol during a scene. These can affect perception (including Dom/sub space), pain tolerance, and balance, as well as blurring the lines of consent. Both Top and bottom need to be clear-minded for all aspects of the scene, from negotiation to aftercare.
Be mindful of your mental state when engaging in BDSM
Likewise, both Top and bottom should be in the right frame of mind before beginning the scene. The Top should refrain from the scene if they’re feeling angry or agitated, as this may trigger aggression and skew their perception of the amount of force being used. The bottom should refrain from the scene if they’re severely depressed or anxious due to the risk of triggering an episode, or pushing them too deep into subspace.
Remember: the goal is to hurt, not harm.
Have self-control, both as the Top and the bottom in Impact Play
Bottoms should refrain from moving too much during play, and may. For this reason, bottoms are sometimes be restrained until the scene ends or a safeword is used. Similarly, Tops must maintain control of the implement when striking; and some implements feature a strap attached to the handle that can be looped around the Top’s wrist for additional control.
Parts of the Body to Strike in Impact Play
Many parts of the body are generally safe to strike, including:
Buttocks
Thighs, all parts
Calves
Upper back & shoulders
Abdomen
Chest/breasts
Note: Impact to the breasts should be avoided prior to the bottom’s mammogram exam. Bruises and contusions can skew the results of the imaging, and should be allowed to heal before an examination.
When preparing to strike, the Top should stand on a level, non-slick surface and consider their orientation to the bottom.
Take additional care when striking these parts of the body:
Face (focus on the cheeks)
Genitals
Hands
Feet
To mitigate risk of serious injury, impact should only be applied to the parts of the body covered in muscle and/or fat. Areas to avoid are joints - (particularly the neck, hips, and knees), - as well as the kidneys, tailbone, and head, as striking these areas can result in serious injury.
Risks and Post-Scene Care for Impact Play
Because of the violent nature of impact play, participants need to be aware of the risks associated with it.
Watch out for ‘wrapping’ when striking
Additional considerations are needed when striking with floggers and whips. The Top needs to avoid wrapping, which occurs when the implement makes contact with the intended target but the additional length wraps around the bottom’s body and impacts a non-targeted spot.
Understand how the body reacts to pain
Abrasions can vary depending on the implement, how it’s used, and the part of the body that is struck. These can include scrapes, welts, bruises, and in some cases, bleeding. The effects of impact implements can range from ‘stingy’ to ‘thuddy’, and some implements can be both depending on how and where they’re used. Stingy implements tend to provoke sharp pain on the surface of the skin while thuddy implements provide a localized, deep tissue pain.
Be sure to stay hydrated during BDSM activities
Impact play is a strenuous activity for both the Top and the bottom. Cool water should be available for both, and the Top should periodically pause to allow the bottom to hydrate while checking on their well-being before continuing the scene.
Be aware of subspace and bottomspace and how to deal with them
During the scene, the bottom may drop into subspace and become non-verbal or unresponsive.
A responsible Top should be cognizant if this happens and be prepared to end the scene should the bottom be unable to do so. Likewise, a Top should only engage with trusted partners, and should go in slow increments with new play partners or bottoms who are new to impact play.
A Top cannot fully know when a bottom might be pushing past their limits to impress the Top, or be reluctant to call the safeword. It’s important to remember that both the Top and bottom have the same right to end a scene for any reason.
Wounds should be cleaned and dressed to minimize infection
The bottom should carefully clean the affected areas each day, and avoid further impact play on the affected area until healing is complete. Wounds and contusions that become infected or won’t heal should be addressed by a medical professional.
When done properly, impact play can enhance the kink experience for all parties involved. Take care to avoid unnecessary risks and be in constant communication with your partner(s) before and during the scene to prevent a negative experience.
