In this study, a bar impact test of low velocity was carried out to gain an insight into the damage mechanism and sequence induced in alumina plates(AD 85 and AD 90) under impact conditions. An experimental setup utilizing an instrumented long bar impact was devised, that can measure directly the impact force applied to the specimen and supply a compressive contact pressure to the specimen. During the bar impact testing, the influences of the contact pressure applied along the impact direction to the specimen on the fracture behavior were investigated. The measured impact force profiles explained well the damage behavior induced in alumina plates. The higher contact pressure to the specimen led to the less damage due to the suppression of radial cracks due to the increase in the apparent flexural stiffness of plate. It had produced the change of damage pattern developed in the specimen; from the radial cracks to the local contact stress dominant damage. It would contribute to the improvement of the ballistic property in ceramic plates. The observed results showed the following sequence in damage developed: The development of cone crack at impact region, the formation of radial cracks from the rear surface of plate depending on the plate thickness, the occurrence of crushing within the cone envelope and the fragmentation.