Ball busting is a colloquial term for any type of cock and ball torture, or genitorture, focused on the testicles. It can involve activities like striking, squeezing, or binding the testicles. A dominant person, known as a ball buster, “busts the balls” of a submissive partner.
Who enjoys ball busting?
This type of sexual play usually involves a dominant female ball buster and a submissive male partner. However, ball busters can have any sexuality or gender identity and submissives can be anyone with testicles. There is a significant contingent of ball busting enthusiasts in the gay community.
Many people who enjoy genitorture have a masochistic streak. An interest in ball busting can also go hand-in-hand with fetishes for shoes, boots, feet, or legs. A ball buster might play into their submissive’s fetishes by using the fetish object to torture their testicles. For example, they could step on the testicles with bare feet if the submissive has a foot fetish or with shoes if the submissive has a shoe fetish.
“It’s sometimes true that there was an event in a submissive’s life where their groin was injured in some way by a person they were attracted to, creating a connection between the arousal in that moment and the blow received that the submissive then seeks to recreate in their personal sexual experiences,” Monique de Sade, a professional Dominant specializing in ball busting, told Kinkly. “Still there doesn’t necessarily need to be one defining moment in a person’s life which triggers the kink. Many interested in the submissive side of D/s dynamics encounter ball busting naturally in their explorations and research before a curiosity ensues. Others still may have been introduced by a Dominant who loves the kink which results in the submissive connecting that act to a specific kind of catharsis and euphoria.”
Why do some people enjoy it?
Dominants and submissives may both enjoy ball busting because it focuses on the testicles. This body part is incredibly sensitive. The dominant has the power to inflict intense pleasure or intense pain, depending on their choosing. This knowledge can be thrilling for a dominant who enjoys controlling their partner and a submissive who enjoys feeling vulnerable along with the physical sensations their dominant can trigger.
Many consider the testicles the center of a man’s sexuality. Because they’re so important to sex and reproduction, handing control of them over to a dominant partner can be the ultimate act of submission.
“Personally, I enjoy ball busting for the same overarching reasons many of my clients do. Overall, it can be considered to ideally encapsulate the psychology and sexualization of the power dynamic at play,” de Sade explained. “Many of my ball busting clients cite the arousal as stemming from the inherent power and control a Dominant has over them when their most vulnerable parts are at the mercy of their Dominant. There’s a genuine life-or-death element at play given the submissive is trusting the Dominant to not permanently damage or impair their reproductive organs. The submissive is entirely giving themselves to their Dominant. In the case of a FemDom D/s relationship, the submissive is literally presenting their manhood to their Dominant for full use to their complete satisfaction; whether that be by pleasure or pain.”
As the testicles are so sensitive, it takes very little stimulation for a ball buster to dominate their submissive. The ease of ball busting can bring a dominant great pleasure and amusement. Endorphins released during the pain of ball torture can also create a sexual high for the submissive, especially during arousal. It is possible to orgasm and ejaculate just from ball busting.
Since the submissive hands all power over to the ball buster, the practice can be an effective way to reinforce the roles in a BDSM relationship. Many dominants and submissives enjoy this aspect of the practice because it can help them connect to one another and the practice of BDSM.
How can a ball busting scene play out?
A ball busting scene is only limited by the ball buster’s imagination and any boundaries the dominant and submissive have.
The ball buster might squeeze the submissive’s testicles between their hands or some books. They might strike the submissive’s testicles as a form of impact play. They could tightly bind the testicles. They could torture the submissive’s testicles using their own body parts, including their hands and feet, or implements such as paddles, floggers, or whips. They may also restrain the submissive with a humbler. Or they could simply kick the submissive in the testicles.
How to explore it
Looking at ball busting pornography can be a good first step for people interested in this type of power exchange activity. Porn lets couples live vicariously through the actors they see and perhaps get inspiration for their own ball busting scenes.
If both parties are still interested, they could discuss bringing their fantasies to life. They might talk about the roles they’d take, what they want to try, and whether they have hard or soft limits their partner needs to consider. They could research ball busting and have further conversations. If they both give enthusiastic, informed consent they can take their exploration further.
As with all new sexual activities, it’s best to go slowly. This helps both parties learn whether ball busting is for them in a comfortable, relaxed way. In time, the submissive may build up their tolerance and the dominant may become more confident. Then, play can escalate naturally.
Single people may decide to explore ball busting with a professional Dominant experienced in this type of cock and ball play. A good Dominant can help a submissive explore their sexual activity in a safe environment.
“During playtime, I prefer to begin with a simple test of the submissive’s level of pain tolerance and most comfortable level of force before continuing,” de Sade said. “I begin softly, asking the client to rate each blow on a scale of 1-10, with ten being the most painful or potentially unpleasant and one being nearly unnoticeable. Of course, each client’s desired level of force and level of pain tolerance will be entirely unique. It’s the Dominant’s responsibility to listen, observe, remain in control of themselves at all times, and to provide a space where the submissive is willing and able to communicate openly and honestly.”
Safe Play
While the dominant seems to have control in ball busting, it must be a consensual activity. The dominant and submissive should have an open discussion about their desires and boundaries before they start the scene. During this time, they can ask questions about ball busting to understand it better.
A ball busting scene should only start once all parties give informed, enthusiastic consent. The submissive should understand they can also withdraw consent at any time if they aren’t enjoying the ball busting scene. Establishing a safeword and signal can make withdrawing consent easier.
There is also the potential for serious injuries to the testicles if dominants don’t understand what they’re doing. Ruptures, fractures, contusions, and even dislocation may all happen if a ball buster isn’t careful. Around 85 percent of testicular injuries come from blunt trauma, which is a common part of ball busting activities like striking and stomping. Binding the testicles too tightly or leaving restraints on for too long can also compromise circulation and cause damage.
Taking responsibility for each other's safety
Responsible dominants take time to learn what might go wrong and what they can do to minimize the risks. While ball busters may want to make their submissive’s feel uncomfortable, they should take care to avoid any permanent injuries. Though, there is still a risk of damage, no matter how experienced the dominant is.
Submissives should speak up if they’re concerned about any discomfort during a ball busting session. They should also see a healthcare provider immediately if they're worried about issues such as strong pain or tissue damage.
Ball busting may also be riskier for some people.
“A submissive should take responsibility for knowing their own medical history and any potentially harmful conditions that could be exacerbated by engaging in ball busting or CBT activities,” de Sade explained. “It is up to the submissive to communicate this information to the Dominant, though a well-seasoned one should ask regardless.”
Ball busting can be very physically and emotionally intense. Aftercare can help the dominant and submissive regulate their emotions and help their bodies return to a safe equilibrium.
Aftercare activities can vary depending on the dominant and submissive’s preferences but they might involve giving the submissive an ice pack to relieve any testicular discomfort, debriefing about the scene, and cuddling.
