A new plate impact technique for studying the dynamic properties of shock‐damaged materials has been developed. The technique is based on impacting the specimen with two flyer plates which are separated by a small gap. Impact of the first plate causes spall in the target. Impact of the second plate closes the spall. The transmitted shock wave is monitored with a VISAR and/or manganin stress gauge. Analysis of the waves gives the properties of the damaged region. Preliminary results for copper and polycrystalline aluminum oxide have been obtained.