Impact Play Safety Zones: A Practical Guide (Free Download!)

May 14

Body map for impact play safety zones — Consent, communication, and care are your best tools—but not without a bit of anatomy savvy.

By respecting the body’s natural architecture and learning where it can (and cannot) safely take impact, you make space for more adventurous, enjoyable, and ethical play.
***Link to download PDF is at the bottom of this page.***

Note: This is a 101-level resource that offers a starting point for safer play.

With experience, some folks may develop a more nuanced intuition that allows for slightly riskier practices. However, this overview intentionally provides a very basic foundation to help make your play as risk-aware as possible.

This guide breaks the body down into three zones—Green, Yellow, and Red—to aid in your risk assessment.

**💚 GREEN: GOOD TO GO!* 💚**

Green zones are the most impact-friendly areas on the body—think of them as your “go-to” zones, especially for beginners or during warm-up play. Green zones are typically protected by layers of muscle and fat, which cushion the force of a strike and reduce the risk of internal injury or bone damage.

*While these zones are considered lower-risk, that doesn’t mean they’re risk-free. Repeated hard strikes can still lead to bruising, soreness, or nerve irritation over time. Pay attention to intensity and spacing, vary your targets, and communicate throughout.

Upper back / shoulders (avoiding spine)
Upper arms / tricep area
Glutes
Thighs (excluding inner)

💛 YELLOW: USE CAUTION 💛

Yellow zones are the “handle with care” areas of the body. They tend to be more sensitive, contain delicate tissue or small bones, or have a higher risk of bruising and nerve impact. This doesn’t mean you can’t play with them—but you do need to approach with intention, patience, and constant communication.

Some yellow areas are deeply erotic zones (like the inner thighs, breasts, or genitals), while others are simply more fragile (like the hands or lower arms). The line between pleasure and pain is thinner here, and what feels good one moment may feel overwhelming or severe the next. Use these areas with awareness and creativity—but don’t let caution become fear. With the right finesse and care, yellow zones can bring some of the most intimate and intense sensations in a scene.

Cheeks
Breasts
Lower arms
Hands
Genitals
Inner thighs
Calves
Soles of feet

❤️ RED: OFF LIMITS ❤️

Red zones are the “hard no” areas for impact. These parts of the body house vital organs, fragile bones, nerve clusters, or joints that, if struck, can lead to serious injury, medical emergencies, or long-term harm. For example, striking someone in the head can cause concussions. A blow to the lower back can damage the kidneys. Pressure on the throat can collapse the airway. These aren’t just probable outcomes—they’re avoidable risks.

Even if you’ve seen advanced players do edgy scenes in porn or performance, remember: those scenes often involve heavy planning, rehearsals, or illusions of contact. There is no “hot take” or special technique that makes it safe to strike these areas. The best thing you can do is don’t.