It's often referred to as foreplay to a real BDSM scene but in truth it can be a very rewarding scene in itself. There are groups across the country that are dedicated to just spanking. There are also Tops that get invited to hold seminars at national events on the different techniques used in spanking. I attended one of these seminars at a Pennsylvania event last year called Woods Stocks. The really great thing about these events is that people from across the country get together and share ideas on their specialty. It isn't uncommon to see a local Whip Master sitting in on a seminar on whips as well as a local spanking Master sitting in on a seminar on spanking because we never stop learning in this lifestyle. There is seldom a right and wrong technique just different ones. Okay....back to spanking.

Spanking is often used as foreplay to another scene because few if any types of BDSM play can get the blood to the surface of an ass any faster than spanking... either with the hand or a paddle. I usually use a paddle and hand to end the warm up part of my scenes before the single tail comes out. This is to ensure that the endorphins will get to the impact area where the cracker will strike. The red, warm to the touch cheeks, of the spanked one is a testament to this. I also often use spanking or a paddle early in the scene to get that blood to the surface on a person who is prone to needing long warm-ups.

Spanking can also be used as discipline. Only thing to remember is that if the bottom likes being spanked hard without a slow warm-up then the reasons may be lost as the bottom will be getting a reward instead of disciplined (another article entirely) for being bratty. If this is the case then you may have opened Pandora's box and could end up with a brat of a bottom who is consistently getting brattier in order to get more spankings.

Spanking for the sheer enjoyment of spanking is what I will try to cover in this article. I'll try to dig into some of the psychological effects spanking has on the bottom and some techniques used in spanking.

:: SPANKING PSYCHOLOGY ::

Spanking psychology stems back from when the bottom was a kid, probably prior to or around adolescence. In the adult world of BDSM spanking, there is often age play where the bottom is either dressed as a schoolgirl or is acting much like a spoiled child in need of a good spanking. Brings back the saying...."Spare the rod and spoil the child!"

The Top becomes the School Master or other figure head of authority and is expected to take this role and follow the lead of the bottom as to when s/he needs a good ole fashioned spanking. Some Tops seem more tolerant than others for extending the scene well into the evening with threats of what is sure to come as the bottom gets brattier by the hour. Usually there is some key that triggers the over-the-knee event followed by the sound of hand against bare flesh of nice plump cheeks.

Although age play may not be for everyone, the girls do look really cute all dressed up in their school clothes while wearing pigtails and licking a big lollipop at the play parties. If they aren't collared or have an understanding with their Top/Dom/Master about taking on multiple play partners at parties, it doesn't take much joking with them before they offer their bottoms for a good old fashioned spanking.

When talking to most bottoms who like being spanked, they seem to draw their enthusiasm of spanking from some erotic scene from their past. Could have been the first time they received a spanking for being bad from a parent or from a teacher when corporal punishment was still present in the school system. Some even have said that it comes from not being punished as a child when they fully deserved it. Maybe they consider it now penance for their sins of the past. And...some simply enjoy the endorphin rush they get as their butts are turned a crimson red and the feeling of temporary power exchange as they are pulled down over a waiting knee.

The bottom feels totally under the Top's control when placed over the knee as one hand can hold them in place, with feet and hands dangling in the air, as their panties are yanked down and a few well-placed hands are laid onto the cheeks of the bottom. They can kick and struggle all they want but to no avail. This may be the purest and quickest form of bondage and impact play. It can be spontaneous and needs no monetary outlay for toys or equipment to scene.

It can be sensuous or can lean more to middle play as with floggers. It can also be very safe as it is difficult to injure a girl when using an open hand to spank a butt when she is lying across one's lap. It takes less skill to accomplish the act in comparison to whip play, but there are some techniques that one should know about before having a spanking scene. I feel more effort goes into the foreplay of a good spanking scene than any other scene you may witness. Unless you follow the couple in question you may miss all but the very end of the scene and feel that it wasn't overly exciting as the foreplay preceding the actual spanking may have occurred over the last couple hours in a number of locations throughout the party.

:: SPANKING TECHNIQUES ::

One technique is to hold the girl in place with one hand while alternating blows to her cheeks with the free hand slowly increasing the speed and intensity of the blows until the cheeks turn a crimson red. Once the harder blows are being landed and the bottom is struggling pretty good, the free hand can be placed on the warmth of the cheeks feeling the warmth at hand as fingers slip down between the bottom thighs to see just how moist she has become. Make sure that this less than casual checking on the girl's condition has been negotiated (okayed by her) before the scene. By this constant checking of her condition the scene can be extended for a very long period of time.

Another technique is to spank to the beat of music. This can be fun as the bottom ends up squirming to the blows hence doing a dance to the music while suspended over one's knee. Amazing how much rhythm a girl can get when this technique is used. The intensity can be changed as the tempo of the beat changes. Stopping when the songs change and checking on her status makes a segment of the scene last between 2 and 3 minutes with short intervals in between as the songs change. Each song should start out slow and build to a final ending for maximum effect. Finding just the right music can be challenging but a fun way to spend time with the bottom that you love so very much.

The hands can be stuck against the bottom's butt either cupped or flat. Each gives a unique sensation and should be experimented with. Nice thing about giving a spanking is that one's hand often gets as warm as the bottom's butt. Changing from flat to cupped also changes the sensations in one's hands as the spanking scene progresses. A hand can be struck against the butt of a bottom and held in place or pulled back instantly to provide different sensations. Holding the hand in place will give the impact a deeper sensation where the pulling away immediately upon impact will cause a more superficial sensation.

I often use a double-handed spank when I have a girl suspended from a cross or whipping post. This is much different than her being secured to a spanking bench or over the knee as she has some freedom of movement and has a tendency to fight her bonds more. I prefer getting down in a lowered position and alternating blows with each hand on a specified cheek. I like to start out slow and speed the blows up in timing while increasing the intensity. By being in a lowered position I have the mobility to move forward as she thrusts her body forward into the cross or whipping post.

Like most scenes....the mixture of pain and pleasure is a must for maximum effect. This is where the tender stroking of a warmed up area comes into play. It also gives a good sensation and feeling of accomplishment to the Top as he feels the warmth generated from a reddened butt.

I am sure many others have various spanking techniques that they like to employ and I would love hearing about them. Especially those who do spanking as their main scene. Mine is usually always used as a warm-up method, but I do love to spank those cute bums even if it is to be the beginning of a whip scene.