1.) Starting points: first and foremost, both top and bottom must agree on a so-called "safe word." The safe word is a signal the bottom will use to indicate that the spanking should REALLY stop; it is agreed-upon beforehand to differentiate it from any pleas or protests the bottom may make while being spanked that are NOT "real" signals to stop the spanking. Examples:
(A) "Owww! Please, sir, no more! I'll be good!" -- Actually means nothing more than the bottom is definitely feeling the spanking, but doesn't want you to stop.
(B) "Oww! Please sir, stop FOR REAL!" -- since "stop for real" has been agreed-upon beforehand by both partners as the "safe word," this is a true signal from the bottom to IMMEDIATELY stop spanking.
The "safe word" is a sacrosanct doctrine of spanking (and of all dominant/submissive _s_e_x_) in that it must ALWAYS be respected and complied with by the top. Tops who don't respect the safe word are rare, and dangerous. The safe word is respected by the bottom as well -- through an implicit agreement not to use it unless absolutely necessary. After partners become used to one another's expectations and tolerance levels, the safe word will probably be used very rarely.
2.) WARM-UP: The top should NEVER begin a spanking full-force!!! Almost all bottoms require a "warm-up." Generally, a good warm-up might begin by spanking the bottom for a time over pants and underwear; then lowering/removing the pants and spanking for a time over the underwear, then lowering/removing the underwear to spank the bare buttocks. This can be varied in a number of ways; for instance, a bottom who can't handle a paddle on the bare buttocks might be warmed-up by using the paddle over pants and underwear, then changing to hand-spanking on the bare buttocks.
3.) TECHNIQUE: All tops eventually develop their own style of spanking. For the novice, it's important to know the following:
a.) Vary the intensity of the individual spanks. For example, you might give one hard spank, followed by two or three medium spanks, followed by several not-hard-at-all spanks, then another hard spank. A technique favored by many tops is to apply a a series of almost-gentle "taps" all over the buttocks, then de- liver one very hard spank suddenly, without the bottom knowing when to expect the hard spank. Most tops will use a series of different intensity-sequences during the spanking. The important thing to remember is to be sure to vary the intensity of the indi- vidual spanks.
b.) Striking the same area of the buttocks repeatedly increases the pain level of the spanking: 2 spanks in the same spot will be more painful than 2 spanks applied to different spots. It is a good general practice to avoid striking the same spot on the buttocks with any real force more than five times in a row -- unless you are attempting to make your bottom use the safe word. Tops should also remember to move the spanking over the buttocks: some spanks should be applied only to the right cheek, some only to the left cheek, and some across both cheeks at once. A spanking should concentrate on the lower half of the buttocks, where the muscle is thickest. Spanking higher up should never be done very forcefully because of the danger of injuring the spine.
4.) POSITIONS: Tops and bottoms usually have favorite positions for spanking. The most intimate positions are those involving the most body contact -- over the knee or straddling the thigh. These are also the positions most likely to help bring about an orgasm in the bottom during the spanking, if that effect is desired. (If the bottom is a man, the top may want to use a towel or other protective cloth to avoid being wetted by his ejaculate, if that is not wanted.) Bottoms may also be bent over the knee of a top who is standing, with one foot resting on a low stool, etc., in order to elevate the leg over which the bottom will be placed. Other positions include: bending over with the hands on the knees or ankles; bending over with hands placed flat against a wall; lying on the back with the legs drawn up and held up by either the bottom or the top; bent over any convenient article of furniture which is sturdy enough to take the bottom's weight AND which is upholstered or padded so as to avoid injury from sharp corners or hard surfaces; standing one to two feet away from a wall with the chest pressed to the wall -- etc.
5.) MISCELLANEOUS: Many tops and bottoms enjoy pauses in the spanking, during which the top plays with the bottom's genitals, caresses the buttocks, thighs, and back, and may engage in role-play talk if role playing or other _s_e_x_ual psychodrama is desired by both partners. Many bottoms must be restrained by the top to some extent during a spanking, due to involuntary "struggling" by the bottom. If the top is larger and stronger than the bottom, this is most easily accomplished by using the over-the-knee or thigh- straddling positions; then the top may put the non-spanking arm around the bottom's waist to hold the bottom in place. If the bottom is a man, he is already provided with a convenient "handle" by which the top may hold him down, but this must be done carefully to avoid injury. The correct technique is to reach beneath the bottom, grasp the penis with the middle, ring, and little fingers of the hand, and encircle the base of the scrotum (as near to the root of the penis as possible) with the thumb and forefinger -- do not employ any force, which would be extremely painful and could cause serious injury. This is also an excellent technique to both restrain a male bottom and ensure that he reaches orgasm during the spanking -- once the top has hold of the penis and scrotum, masturbation of the bottom is possible while continuing the spanking; alternatively, the top may simply lubricate the hand grasping the bottom's genitals and allow the natural "recoil" of the bottom's hips following each spank to slide the penis back and forth in the top's hand. Bottoms may also be held in place by the top placing the non-spanking hand in the small of the bottom's back and pushing down -- but be careful not to use so much force as to risk injuring the spine, or the kidneys which lie to each side of the spine in that area. Other safety precautions: never use as a spanking implement anything which is sharp, breakable, splintered, or otherwise likely to break the skin and cause bleeding and/or possible infection. Partners who are new to each other should discuss the issue of marks, welts, and bruises beforehand so each will be comfortable with the post-spanking appearance of the bottom's buttocks. Any desired role playing or _s_e_x_ual psychodrama should be discussed beforehand as well; some people are not at all interested in such "games," while for others they are an absolute requirement. If role- playing is part of the spanking, it works best when both partners agree in advance on their respective roles -- and when the roles are appropriate to each partner's build, age, and personality. For example, a fairly short or slightly built man would suit the role of a "naughty schoolboy" better than a 6'4" tall bodybuilder, etc.