Flagellation is the act of whipping or flogging a person. Although it may sound painful it is a common erotic activity in BDSM play. Dominant players will often flog their submissive partners with toys like whips, cat o' nine tails, and floggers. Flagellation is typically used as a punishment for disobedient submissives, and the physical discomfort this act causes can be very erotic and sexually stimulating. These toys are often constructed from materials such as leather, rubber, nylon, hemp, and even metal.