Bondage and Discipline (B/D)

Bondage and discipline (B/D) refers to certain erotic acts that involve restraining and training submissive partners. These practices are often lumped together with dominance and submission (D/S, and sadism and masochism (S/M) to make up the acronym BDSM. Typically, a dominant partner will be the one to restrain and discipline a submissive partner. Restraints can range from simple setups, like a length of rope or handcuffs, to more intricate setups, like bondage cages or ceiling hooks. Discipline often involves correcting a submissive's behavior with physical and psychological punishments, like spanking or erotic humiliation.

"Safe, sane and consensual" is a motto that's at the forefront of any bondage and discipline enthusiast's mind. Safety comes first in bondage and discipline scenes, which means that all acts are made as safe as possible. Dominants should not tie up their submissives too tightly, for instance, and partners should agree on safewords to be used to stop play at any time. Sanity is another important aspect of bondage and discipline. This means that players should basically use their heads and not participate in obviously dangerous activities.

Finally, consent is probably the most important aspect of bondage and discipline, as well as other similar acts. Each partner, whether they're dominant or submissive, must perform consensually and of their own free will. They should also be able to stop the scene with a safeword whenever they want to, and for any reason.

A submissive, frequently known as a sub, is a sexual participant who willingly gives up some or all of their control to a dominant partner. This type of partnership is often referred to in the BDSM community as a dominant/submissive (D/s) relationship. Subs can identify as any gender or sexuality. Being submissive can mean different things to different individuals. It can involve many different activities. By offering themselves to their dominant, submissives gain pleasure from both the acts of the dominant inflicted upon them and also from the knowledge they are pleasing the dominant.

For some, being submissive can involve psychological verbal cues, including referring to the dominant as "Sir" or "Master" or "Ma'am" or Mistress." It may involve other forms of humiliation. It can also involve different physical acts, including various types of bondage toys (rope, collaring, cuffs, caging), impact play (spanking, caning, paddling), and different types of torture.

Submissive acts can also vary when it comes to pain. Some subs enjoy light teasing while others get off on significant types of pain. Other submissive acts include obedience, begging and asking for permission, being punished, roleplay, and being displayed and shared by the dominant. Sex gear and toys can also a big part of being a submissive, including gags, handcuffs, spreader bars, paddles, blindfolds, and more.

Some submissive and dominants can be switches. These individuals can move between either role, depending on the scene.