Two issues to get out of the way first (for those reading this who might be new to BDSM, flogging, paddles, crops and/or slappers):
1.) Never, ever strike at the kidney's regions. This area is two to five inches above the buttocks to the left and right of the spinal cord. This part of the the lower back is totally off-limits.
2.) Practice on a pillow first before you try on a person. Stand still, feet planted firmly, dropping the arm without doing any "reaching" by moving your body forwards. This is because the body cannot consistently calculate the position of the flogger while you are doing all these other body movements. Our brains aren't quite smart enough to perform all the calculations necessary to compensate for leaning forward, reaching our shoulders forward and turning our bodies at the waist while we attempt to sweep our arms downwards, almost guaranteeing that we will "miss"! Standing square-and-firm and merely dropping your arm will make you hit the right spot every time. If you want to move your spot, move your entire body by changing where you are standing (step forwards, backwards, or side to side). Then, again standing square-and-firm, drop your arm from that new location. When you can hit the pillow accurately every time, then it is OK to move on to a human subject.
OK, now that that's done, let's move on to why I called this blog "Floggers Versus Paddles, Crops & Slappers."
This will be controversial.
I often wonder why people try to use a flogger on people's butts. It is very hard to do. Especially if the person is standing. Either way, it is quite difficult to land the tips of the flogger directly on the "sweet spot" of the subject's behind. It is so very easy to miss entirely and "wrap" the person you are flogging (which usually makes them "complain" - which is very un-submissive-like behavior!) Why not just avoid the problem completely and not flog behinds at all? Or stick with flogging subjects' behinds while they are lying on their stomachs, where you can have much more control? Still, it's even better not to bother trying at all.
In case you do not know what wrapping feels like, you are one of the fortunate ones. Wrapping is what happens when you miss the intended target and the falls of the flogger wrap around the person's rear to strike with overwhelmingly intense force on the person's side, by their thighs or hips. The speed increase from the falls performing this wrapping motion is quite astonishing, to put it mildly. It really kind of breaks the mood, because the "top" has very obviously just screwed up, and this can damage the trust level that the submissive/recipient is having in that person topping them. Not to mention that it really, really stings! A lot!!!!! An "I'm sorry" from the "top" is typically in order when this happens. An "I'm SO sorry!!" is often even more in order.
Besides that factor … I have very strong opinions concerning these toys. Here they are:
Floggers are for backs.
Paddles and slappers and crops are for behinds.
Slappers and crops are also for all over the rest of the body.
There, I've said it. So flog me. ];-)>
Paddles are so superior for dealing with back sides (rear ends, bottoms) to floggers. Paddles are infinitely more controllable. If sting is what you want in this area, paddles and slappers rule the day here (naturally, including the old stand-by, the 12-inch wooden ruler, or its modern equivalent, the sanded-down Home Depot or Lowe's paint stirrer). Paddle that butt. So satisfying!
Well aimed slappers—and crops in the right hands—can certainly be as good as paddles, and are also sooo great for everywhere else – on the legs, for instance (outside on the thighs and inside the inner thighs, the backs of the thighs and calves, even on the feet!) And they are great for the front of the body (tummy, chest), the sides of the torso, the arms, and, lo, even the back! Having two slappers, one in each hand, is a terrific way to have fun! Get rhythmical with them! Play your subject like a nice, big drum set! They will be dancing quite entertainingly.
Canes are such an advanced toy that I do not include them here with much emphasis, as they really require proper training and practice under guidance to use a cane correctly (both for best effect and so as not to hurt anyone). But once you learn how one's amazingly light strokes with a cane – striking over the same areas – build-up in intensity over time, they also become far superior to floggers for just about everywhere but the person's back!
Floggers are so amazing on a person's back that nothing can equal them. (This is speaking from the receiver's viewpoint as much as from the wielder's). Be they stingy ones, thuddy ones, or something utilitarian and in-between, they are such natural implements for the back, and can be used for long, long periods of time without wearing out the person doing the flogging (IF they learn to keep the square-and-firm stance and simply lift and drop their arm, as this flogging technique allows using a minimum of physical effort and force to create the maximum effect, allowing the flogger-handling person to go long periods without tiring their arms, wrists, backs or torsos, and it looks far more artful and "professional" as well!) The longer you can last flogging, the happier your "floggee" will be!
So, please. I beg of you. Flog backs. Paddle bottoms. Use slappers, crops and other implements everywhere else. Everyone concerned will be saying, "How can we lose with the system we use!"
I rest my case.