Many couples incorporate rituals into spanking as a way to increase the symbolic and meaningful nature of the activity. Common rituals include having the spankee position themselves and retrieve implements, exposing their bottom, and receiving verbal instructions from the spanker. Rituals can add formality to discipline spankings, reinforce messages for maintenance spankings, and heighten fantasies for erotic spankings. Individual couples also develop their own unique rituals over time.

1. Spanking as a ritual

3. Many couples incorporate some form of ritual into their spanking practices. In this context, a ritual is ceremonialized series of activities that amplify the significance of the spanking. Participants often find that introducing the elements of ritual into their spankings cause them to become more meaningful.

5. For erotic spanking enthusiasts, rituals heighten fantasies and create a more dramatic environment. Regardless of the purpose, rituals often work to enhance the adult spanking .

7. Positioning - The spankee must typically situate herself in preparation for a spanking (over the lap, over a piece of furniture, grabbing ankles, etc.)

8. Fetching the implement - The spankee must participate in her own spanking by retrieving implement(s)

9. Uncovering the target - The spankee must bare her own bottom, so as to demonstrate her acceptance

10. Verbal instruction - The spanker directs the recipient to prepare for the spanking in a particular manner

11. The verbal review - The spanker discusses at length the reasons for the spanking is being administered and the desired results

13. Removing garments during the spanking - Some spankers enjoy peeling away individual clothing layers as they spank as if to signify disappearing resistance

14. Grouping swats into sets with rest breaks in between - Spankers sometimes choose to spread out a spanking over time to render it more intense and memorable

15. Counting - The spankee is asked to verbally count out the strokes applied to her bottom

16. Corner time - The spankee must stand in a corner before or after a spanking, typically with her bottom on display, for the purpose of reflection

18. Spankings before theatre

19. Spankings after arrival in a new hotel room

20. Spankings whenever in a thong-style underwear

21. Spankings whenever in implement is left sitting out

22. The latter two provide the opportunity to ask for a spanking without necessarily having to say the words.