A method for direct measurement of strain in plane impact experiments is presented. The method is based on recording resistance changes of a longitudinal resistance gauge placed in the target specimen. To demonstrate the validity of the method we conducted a series of plane impact experiments in which manganin and constantan resistance gauges were placed in targets made of different materials. From the experimental results we conclude that the uniaxial strain in the target material can be determined to within an error of &Dgr;&egr;=±0.2%.