ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Impact play

Impact play is when someone plays or has fun by hitting somebody else in a controlled and safe way. This could include things like spanking, flicking, pinching, or whipping. Impact play is often used in BDSM (bondage and discipline, domination and submission, and sadism and masochism) relationships between two consenting adults. Before people start impact play, it is important for both people to make sure that the activity is something that is ok for both of them. They should also agree on where and how strongly the person will be hit and when either of them can use a safe word to stop the activity.