The structure sizes and motion parameters of impact piston were designed and computed based on the three-stage analysis. Impact energy and impact frequency were regarded as the design goals. According to the stress wave method, impact performance test system was established, impact frequency was obtained through the field test data. Impact energy was achieved by the energy calculation formula. The measured values and the design values of impact frequency and impact energy were the basically same. The researches provide theoretical guidance for impact mechanism structural design of sleeve valve type hydraulic rock drill.