Striking is kinematically variable in booid snakes but generally fits one of three patterns. Analysis of slow speed, short-exposure video records of more than 200 strikes in 17 juveniles and subadults of seven species of booids shows that they first hit the prey either with the mandibles (MAN strikes) or with the mandibles and upper jaw together [driving scissors (DSC) strikes], rarely with the upper jaw [palatomaxillary (PMX) strikes]. In MAN strikes, inertia carries the braincase over the prey in an arc whose radius is partly defined by the tip of the mandible. In DSC strikes, both jaws slide over the prey. In both of these strike patterns, much of the impact of prey contact appears to be directed through the mandibles and their suspensoria and adductor muscles. Ventral flexion of the whole head and neck initiates the first constricting coil shortly after contact with the prey and may be aided by reaction forces generated by the prey's inertia. In PMX strikes, on the other hand, the braincase incurs a higher proportion of impact forces and ventral flexion of the head is often delayed. The predominant use of MAN and DSC strikes suggests that these kinematic patterns in combination with tooth geometry may reduce the probability of tooth breakage at the time of jaw impact with the prey. The same tooth geometry increases the probability of snaring in the interval between contact and immobilization by constriction.