Flogging 102: Safe Targets

In my last column I talked about the basics of floggers: how they're constructed, what they're made of, and so on. Now that you know what to flog with, let's take a look at where to flog someone.

Although there is occasionally some attention paid to the front, flogging typically involves the back of the body. The "flogee" might be face-down on a bed, on all fours, kneeling, standing with his or her back to you, or -- as illustrated here -- restrained with a slave frame.

Where to Hit

Let's start first with the safest areas, illustrated here in green.

Buttocks ⁽¹⁾ - This is probably the safest area on the body to flog, and it's a bit reminiscent of being spanked, which some flogees rather enjoy. With lots of padding and no vital organs underneath, there's very little that can go wrong if you stay around the center of each cheek. On the other hand, there are some very sensitive areas near by, so you do need to pay attention!

Thighs ⁽²⁾ - As with the rump, the thighs are well padded, and there are no vital organs in the immediate vicinity. The insides of the thighs are particularly sensitive. You can get a lot of reaction for your effort, but be sure you're not overloading your target!

The spot between the rump and the thighs -- right in the crease where they join -- is sometimes called the "sweet spot." This area is still well padded, but it's also quite sensitive. If you want your target dancing around, this area -- along with the inner thighs -- is a good place to concentrate.

Upper Back ⁽³⁾ - Not much padding here, but a thick layer of muscle over ribs means you can work this area safely with a bit of caution. Floggers and cats are okay, but don't use inflexible implements like canes or paddles: you can bruise or chip bones, especially the shoulder blades.

As you start experimenting with flogging, you'll find that different folks like different sensations. Some enjoy it when you concentrate on the tush and thighs. Others -- like Renee -- aren't fond of that, but enjoy a thuddy workout on the upper back, which can feel much like an energetic massage.

Where NOT to Hit

Learning where not to hit is just as important as learning where to hit. This is especially true because some of those off-limits spots are right next to where you'll be working. The "steer clear" zones are in red.

Hips ⁽⁴⁾ - The sides of the hips, especially on the upper areas, have little padding. A number of nerves could be damaged by a strong impact. Since this area is right next to the buttocks where you will be working -- and since wrapping can cause unintentional blows there, it's important to pay very close attention.

Tailbone ⁽⁵⁾ - Minimal padding, easily breakable bones, and a painful recovery make this an area to avoid. As with the sides of the hips, you'll need to take care when working on the buttocks.

Lower Back ⁽⁶⁾ - There's not a lot of padding here, plus the kidneys are just below the muscles. Kidneys are not things you want to bruise.

Spine ⁽⁷⁾ - The comments about the tailbone apply to the spine as well. Use caution when working on the upper back.

Head and Neck ⁽⁸⁾ - Obviously a very delicate area. There's too much that can go wrong here to even think about flogging in the vicinity.

Feet ⁽⁹⁾ - Beating the soles of the feet is called "bastinado," and some folks absolutely love it. However, there are many fine bones in the feet that break easily. I've only marked the soles of the feet red, because this is where most people think to take a swat... but the upper parts of the feet are fragile as well. Steering clear is

Hands and Wrists ⁽¹⁰⁾ - Again, lots of fragile bones, especially in the wrists.

Abdomen and Lower Chest ⁽¹¹⁾ - No protection from the rib cage plus lots of delicate internal organs means this is an area to avoid.

Upper Chest ⁽¹²⁾ - Above the breasts there is very little padding. Some of the bones are quite fragile here, plus you'll be swinging your flogger very near the face.

Shoulders ⁽¹³⁾ - With no padding and being so near the neck and head, the shoulders should be avoided. At the top of the chest and front of each shoulder is the collarbone, which is quite easy to damage, and perhaps one of the most painful breaks possible. (I once broke my collarbone when a softball -- not a baseball -- thrown by a young child caught me off-guard and hit me on the front of the shoulder. I can personally testify to the fact that this bone is both very easy to break and quite painful to heal.)

Anywhere Else

The rest of the body -- what I've rendered in yellow -- can be worked on safely if you're careful. For example, you could, with caution, flog the calves or the upper arms... but I've never heard of anyone particularly enjoying it or finding it a particularly painful "punishment."

One area you might want to consider is the breasts. With many nerve endings around each nipple and aureole, the breasts respond wonderfully to minimal stimulation (especially for women). But I've heard conflicting reports as to whether flogging can do serious damage, so if you decide to try this, tread carefully. The same sensitivity comments apply to the genital area, but doubly so.

Most of these guidelines are just that: guidelines. Yes, you actually can use a flogger directly over the kidneys, if you're running the tails sensually over the flogee, or letting them fall under their own weight from a few inches. Of course no one would consider that flogging, but you can play in this risky, off-limits area. Conversely, lay into the buttocks with all your strength behind a heavy knotted cat, and you'll quickly draw blood, and probably leave bruises that will take some painful time to heal.

The key is to use common sense. The areas marked in green are relatively safe and a good place for beginners to concentrate... after they have the basics of flogging down. We'll cover them in the next installment.

See you then,

Note: The young lady pictured above was actually wearing a red "Zentai" suit before I worked some digital magic on the photos. To see a rather artistic approach to this intriguing cross between fetishism and sensory deprivation, visit the site belonging to Modulus. (I am interested in working with this sort of photography; if you can find Modulus' work intriguing and live in or near Richmond, Virginia, please get in touch.)

Copyright © 1998, James LiGate. All Rights Reserved.
This article was first published on About.com's BDSM site on 01/19/98.