Impact play of any type is an intense and erotic form of play which more often than not creates a very strong bond between the Dominant and submissive.
As with all BDSM activities care should be taken when playing, only play if you are in a good state of physical and mental health.

There are many different striking ''toys'' Such as Singletail whips, Floggers, Paddles to name a few. Singletails are whips with one long tail (as opposed to floggers, which have multiple tresses). Bullwhips (Bullwhip crackers can cause severe cuts, and should not be used near exposed skin except by the very experienced and are generally used only for sound effects rather than sensation play) Signal whips, Stock whips and Blacksnakes,these are all types of Singletails.
Using very light, precise strokes with the tip of the whips tail, or distributing harsher lashes of the leather thong and cracker along the submissives back or buttocks can be extremely sensual and create strong feelings of fear, control, and often a deep connection during a scene.

Severe whippings can cause bruises, cuts, or occasionally permanent scars, depending on skin type, type of stroke (usually slices rather than blows) and the amount of force applied.Treat any cuts,bruises or grazing created by impact play as you would any other.
The more experienced you become, you will find you can control even more forceful strokes. It can be fun to crack the whip just before it hits, adding extra tension during play as this creates a loud noise while also spending some of the force before impact.

Thicker more solid flogger's impact deeper into the body it will not cut but again depending on the force of the blow can bruise quite easily particularly on more sensitive or older skin.

Flogger's are generally smaller many tailed flexible implements or strips of leather, rubber, suede or other similar materials. These deliver more of a burning or 'thud' sensation. The different sensations depend upon the width of the flogger. Floggers cover a smaller area and the smaller the area a blow is concentrated on there is a greater potential for damage, which is why better quality flogger tails are designed with rounded edges and tips.

Floggers with sharper edges are easier to use and less expensive, but as with all cheaper toys they do not last as long, and as always for better results and less likelihood of harm its always better to opt for quality rather than cost. The wider the tail, the more surface area to be forced through the air, and again the more lands at once on the skin

As a general rule for the same material, Thin, rounded thong tails sting much more than 5/8 inch wide flat tails, for example. The more tails a flogger has, the slower it travels, and the longer the tails are, more leverage is gained. Both make a flogger heavier, although the longer tails are much more difficult to control, many of the standard floggers tails are around 15 to 22 inches. A longer flogger has many different uses such as running it length ways down the whole of the back with one single strike, this technique is not recommended to begin with as it takes much practise and hard work to be done precisely.

The shorter designs are ideal for concentrating on much smaller areas such as working on one nipple at a time. For safety, flogger tails should be firmly fixed to the end of the handle, this is where the most stress occurs in use. A solid covering knot will help reduce any strain, and keep the tails together. It will also help to prevent slippage. Work the handle with your hand and not against it, use a flogger with a handle which is not too large or small for a good grip.
Shorter handles are easier to control, longer handles give more leverage. When selecting your flogger test the weight of the handle, does it 'feel' right with the tail.
This is something you need to judge for yourself. Practise a few swings with a few different selections decide which feels the most natural and comfortable to handle. It should be fairly obvious the softer the material the softer the sensation upon the skin.
To begin with opting for softer materials is something to consider depending on the bottoms pain levels, what may be nothing more than a light blow for one could be extremely painful and unpleasant for another,

Use lighter strokes on the lower legs, arms, inner arms, breasts and genitals as the skin is more delicate in these areas. Also at the top of buttocks near the spine use lightly and with caution and accuracy (the ribs and kidneys are not protected with muscles). For obvious reasons do not use on the face, head, neck, healing skin or fingers and toes (Tiny bones in fingers and toes break very easily and do not mend well). The thighs are a good target for light paddling or caning, but only well-muscled thighs should be a target for heavy impact play.

Care should be taken on the genitals and treated fairly gently. We all need taking that bit further but after much experimenting I would not advise too harsh a treatment in this area! Floggers tails made of thin rubber are great for genital flogging because they can provide a nasty sting with little force. Remember during any genital play that an erect penis is more vulnerable than it is flaccid.

Many bottoms prefer a 'warm up' to begin with.The best way of doing this is to start slowly and lightly, by placing the flogger on the skin, holding the tail tips in one hand and the handle in the other, moving slowly back and forth on the skin. Then a slow caress with the tips for a while before landing that first blow.
The idea being that although the force intensify's, the feeling remains much the same, matching the growing ability of the submissive to enjoy the increasing sensations.

For a harsher more painful experience instead of building up gradually vary the speed and strength of the blows, alternate with different implements don't let the bottom become used to one particular sensation, it's amazing what a bit of surprise and tension can achieve. Experiment, try tightly restraining and/or blindfolding, gagging, striking different areas of the body randomly.
For extra sensation drip or pour a little hot wax, cold water or trail over the sensitive skin with an ice-cube. If you enjoy the sight of your submissive(s) jumping, writhing around and those pitiful little squeals you are almost certain to get it! Check for any broken skin beforehand)

Flogging/whipping has a strong emotional impact and there is usually a very close connection both during and after play,
It can be an intense and often tiring experience when playing for prolonged periods. Both Dominant and submissive may find they need a short ''cool down'' period.