Quill & Chill

I is for Impact Play

Positioning for Impact Play: First, have the submissive get into a position that’s comfortable for you both. Over the knee is a go-to pose for this sort of play but don’t feel bound to it! For those with less padding in the trunk,  lying face down on a bed or being stood might be more your style otherwise, you might stretch your natural padding too thin. The golden rule for impact play is to aim for areas of the body that have a good layer of protective fat or muscle. Places where the skin is thinner, or are over important organs are a no-go for anything more than a few light taps. However, joints and your neck should be avoided entirely.

Warm Up Prior to Impact Play: Proceed slowly. Warm up your partner both in body and spirit with softer spanks or strokes before increasing tempo and intensity. You can also switch to more intense toys as you go. You can and should continually increase the intensity or duration of play, but you cannot remove a blow that is too intense for your partner to handle. Continuously check on your partner and build trust. The absolute worst thing would be to scare your partner or cut their skin before you’ve built trust and even begun to enjoy yourselves.

The duration of your play session will depend on the endurance of both of you. If you vary the strength and location of the impacts, you may be able to extend the session. The sub will be able to endure more, and you won’t get tired too quickly.

A good way to build trust and endurance is to have an agreed number of hits. You can count these or have your partner count them. The number could be negotiated or you may decide if you’re giving out punishment. In this case, make your partner count them out loud. Remember some tools are more intense and your partner may not tolerate as many strikes, and playtime may need to be shorter. A session can be ended by slowing and softening the impacts, stopping after a climax, or if the submissive uses a safe word or uses the color red.

Toys for Impact Play: There are many characteristics to consider when selecting an impact toy, including, but not limited to its weight and length, material, impact surface area, and desired sensation. Many impact toys are described using terms such as “thuddy” or “stingy.” A thuddy toy will be felt deep in the muscles while stingy toys create a piercing or burning sensation, usually localized to a smaller surface area than when a thuddy toy is used. Floggers, whips, riding crops, canes, paddles, and stingers are major types of impact toys. Toy material will affect how a toy feels: stainless steel feels different than leather, which feels different from silicone, for instance. Impact play is safe if precautions are taken to avoid sensitive and critical areas, including over the spine, near any vital organ, or on any bodily surface that lacks muscle or fat tissue.

Thuddy Toys

Paddle —

• flat, wide, made from leather/wood/acrylic/etc.
• best for booty, close & far hits, heavy

Flogger —

• handle with many braided or flat falls, can be thin (stingier) or thick (thuddier), often leather
• great on upper back & booty, need space, can be heavy or light, can be used in pairs (Florentine)

Jack, Big Boi, Baton —

• leather wrapped (sometimes padded) stick-shape, often with a hard core of pvc or metal
• thighs & booty, less padding = harder hits, aim purposefully, often heavy deep pain

Boots, Punching Gloves —

• kicking, stepping, punching
• booty, thighs, careful & informed if stepping/punching elsewhere
• educate yourself on how to purposefully do these! it isn't the same as "fighting" kicks/punches

Stingy Toys

Canes —

• bamboo, wood, acrylic, long & thin, more flexible = more sting
• booty, thighs, "tiger stripe" marks

Crops —

• riding crops, can be cute shapes
• booty & thighs, light sting usually

Dragon Tongues & Tails —

• picture a flogger whip combo, leather, need some space (more if a dragon tail)
• best on booty & thighs, elsewhere with care, focused aim, concentrated sting

Bare Hand Spanking & Slapping —

• booty, thighs, very carefully on face
• "slappy" sting, or heavier if you "cup" the hand

Whips —

• back, booty, thighs, tummy, need lots of space & very careful aim, often leather or nylon
• train yourself on how to use a whip for impact properly first! whips can easily do damage & draw blood!

Household DIYs —

• wooden spoon, ruler, hair brush, belt....
• be mindful that since they aren't made for impact play, these items may break easily

Aesthetics: Personally, I like for the toys in my collection to have a certain beauty and craftmanship in their design and creation. I've chosen a few pretty little stingy things to share with you!

Aftercare Aftercare Aftercare

After any scene, there should be an element of aftercare. Both partners should enjoy cuddling, soft touches, and words of praise & affirmation. Dominants may need aftercare as well as the submissive. Muscles can be tired and sore from spanking or welding a flogger or cane. Impact play is always an intense experience and will impact your partner’s state of mind. Watch for sub drop, as well as Dom drop. Check your partner’s body for redness, bruising or broken skin. You may need to apply ice packs, creams, lotions, or ointments. Arnica cream or arnica gel can be used to decrease swelling, bleeding, bruising, and reduce pain. Perhaps apply muscle cream on the Dominant. Share hydration and a small snack or chocolate and perhaps cuddle in a soft blanket for a few minutes. Littles like to have their softies or stuffies. Talk about what you enjoyed, or what you might want to change during your next play session. Go here for more info on aftercare!