History
Bastinado was originally a Spanish word for the act of caning, in the literal sense of beating with a stick or similar implement. It is specifically used to refer to a form of torture or corporal punishment which consists of beating the soles of the offender's bare feet with a hard object, like a cane or rod, a club, a piece of wood, or a whip.
This torture is effective owing to the clustering of nerve endings in the feet and the structure of the foot, with its numerous small bones and tendons. The feet were often tied together or to a wooden plank (called falaka in Persian, possibly the origin of the tradition in the Near East), and the victim would be made to walk around on his or her damaged feet afterwards, sometimes carrying weights.
The prominent display of the offender's bare feet contains an element of punitive humiliation as well. This is especially true in Arabic cultures, where it is considered humiliating to bare the soles of one's feet.
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Preparation
Whilst it is ok to go straight into caning and beating feet a lot of pleasure can be gained from taking the time to torment and sensitise the target. Prior to the feet being tied up and presented for bastinado you can get your subject to stand for a while on small sharp and uneven objects, such as sprinkled gravel or upturned bottle tops. Or make them go for a long walk with gravel in their shoes or, better still, bare footed. When tied the soles can be subjected to wax play or heat play by running the flame of a candle close to them. Scratching with fingernails across the soles can also be effective. Alternatively you can turn to the more traditional warm-up toy and use a small flogger to warm the feet and bring the blood to the surface.
Positions
Natural defence mechanisms will often prevent a subject from willingly keeping the feet in position so they are best tied. If you wish to deal with each foot singularly then a spreader bar will restrict movement whilst keeping the feet apart. Alternatively the feet can be secured by tying the ankles together as well as the big toes. This will stop the feet from flailing around but the legs can still move thus moving the target area. If you have a bed with open bed ends then the feet can be placed and tied over the top of the bed end and the wrists to the header rail. Depending of course on the length of your subject's legs various items of furniture, like chairs and stools, can be used to secure and position the feet for bastinado. Your subject can be on their back with feet up presenting a vertical target, or laying on their front, knees bent and the feet placed over a stool presenting a flat target.
If you have access to dungeon equipment then the use of suspension equipment to lift and hold the legs, or placing the feet in stocks are available options for play.
If you are handy with wood and tools then a small saw horse with adjustable legs could be created for the purpose. Dowel can be fitted into the top at the ends and centre so the feet can be secured together in the middle or apart at the ends. There is really no limit once the creative imagination starts to flow.
Toys to Use
The traditional implements for bastinado are sticks and canes. Using different types and sizes of cane, both lightly and severely, will add a good variety to a bastinado session but there are other toys that can be used with varying effect.
Belts, floggers and tawse are good for warming-up the soles ready for the session. Full floggers are not really very good for bastinado as the target area is small in comparison so invest in a small pussy flogger that is designed for flogging breasts, pussy and genitalia.
Cats, especially the knotted variety are very good and can also create a stingy whip-around that will catch the top of the feet when they are presented in a vertical position.
Riding crops are always excellent in any beating as they allow a very precise impact area.
Paddles can be used on the soles but take care to avoid hitting the toes. Moistened skin or paddles with holes will intensify the impact. School rulers can also be used and are slightly less painful.
Wooden hairbrushes with firm bristles provide the two sensations of paddle and prickle.
Where to Hit
The whole of the sole can be struck but for safety some places have to be hit more lightly than others.
The toes are vulnerable as they are made up of small bones with very little protection other than on the pads of the toes. As the toe pads do not lie in a nice straight line a cane stroke would have difficulty striking evenly across them. Lighter flogging implements are better in this area.
The most common target is the balls of the feet as they are the fleshiest part.
Striking the insteps is important during bastinado. It is extremely painful and a real challenge for the victim to endure.
The heels too make a great target and striking them can be very painful
Method
Deliver decisive well aimed strokes with a short pause between strikes. Take 5 minute breaks between caning sessions. Perhaps in these break you can apply a tickling, scratching or resume a bit of heat play. Just toying with the feet using the tip of the cane during these breaks will keep the subject's head space right where you need it.
As with all play, monitor your partner carefully for any health or distress problems. If something doesn't feel right then take a break and re-assess the situation. Keep an eye out for discolouring or tingling numbness of tied areas caused by blood restriction, particularly in suspension positions.
