Biomechanics - Hitting with Power

There are two factors that determine hitting with power.  The first is velocity (the speed the striking surface reaches before impact).  The second is force (how much power is delivered upon impact). 

Physics basics 1:
Speed = Velocity = change in distance / change in time.
Acceleration = change in velocity / change in time.
Force = mass x acceleration.

What this means for punishment tools:
A heavier tool can deliver more potential force if it can reach the same or greater speed than a lighter tool.  However, generating equal or greater speed with a heavier tool is generally only possible with downward strikes. 

With a horizontal or upward motion there will be a limit to how heavy a tool can be before you start to lose a significant amount of speed and control.

To the best of my knowledge there isn’t a lot of standard terminology used to describe methods for corporal punishment so I am creating my own.

Grip and wrist orientation:

Overhand Grip – This is the type of grip orientation you would use to hit a tennis racket or slap someone (backhand or forehand).  With this type of grip the wrist moves parallel to the striking surface and is the final determining factor in power.  This grip’s strength is dominated by the thumb and index finger.

Standard Grip – This is the type of grip orientation you would use to split firewood with an axe, pounding a hammer, or delivering a karate chop.  While the wrist has some motion, this grip derives most of its power from the elbow.  This grip’s strength utilizes all of the fingers in the hand.

What this means for punishment tools:
The overhand grip is better suited for shorter tools (under ~12” in length for rigid tools and under ~36” for whips/floggers) and will work for both rigid and flexible items.  The thicker the handle gets, the less force this grip can deliver.

The standard grip is better suited for longer tools as well as heavier tools.  It is very strong with long rigid items or longer whips with a bit of girth/weight to them.  This grip orientation loses less power with increased handle thickness.

Two types of strikes:
-A Stinging blow.  This is the boxing equivalent to a jab.  Quick and compact, it will smack hard on the surface with a lot of sting upon impact.  This is best suited for lighter weight tools that will reach a high velocity and the focus force is delivered to the point of impact.  A quick slap with a crop or leather paddle that reddens the ass comes to mind here. 

-A Penetrating blow.  This is the boxing equivalent to a right cross (think knockout blow).  Deep and painful, it will drive hard into the point of impact with the intent to bruise and/or split the skin.  This can be performed with any type of item but the heavier the item, the deeper it will hurt as it delivers force beyond the point of impact and into the underlying tissue.

Most tools will use an overhand grip to perform a stinging blow and a standard grip to deliver a penetrating blow.