Impact play is a sexual practice where one person is struck by another person for the sexual gratification of either or both parties for the sensations. It is a form of BDSM.
Spanking, flogging, caning, cropping, and paddling are all activities that are considered impact play. The difference lies in the implement chosen to deliver the impact. For some the preferred method of “impact play” is to cause deep tissue bruising, but this is more dangerous than other forms of impact play and requires more practice to master.