Amazon is a face-to-face position built around control and eye contact. The partner with a penis lies on their back and pulls their knees up toward their chest, while the other partner kneels or squats over them, facing them, and lowers down to set their own pace and depth. It is essentially a role reversal of positions like legs-on-shoulders: the bottom partner's legs are up, but here the bottom partner is the one with the penis, and it is the partner on top who is actively straddling and steering the motion. People who like a slower build, direct eye contact, and a partner who is fully in charge of rhythm tend to enjoy Amazon most, though anyone curious about a more controlled, face-to-face angle is welcome to try it.
How to Do the Amazon Position: Step by Step
Warm up first. A little foreplay helps you both relax and get comfortable before you shift into a more upright position.
Get into position. The bottom partner lies on their back and pulls their knees up toward their chest, holding behind the knees or at the ankles, whatever feels stable.
Settle in slowly. The top partner kneels or squats over the bottom partner, facing them, and lines up carefully. Go slow here and watch the angle so nothing bends sharply.
Lower down gradually. Since the top partner controls depth, ease in a little at a time rather than sitting down all at once, and check in as you go.
Find your rhythm. The top partner can rock, bounce, or grind at whatever pace feels good, while the bottom partner can free a hand to guide hips or add extra pressure.
Adjust as needed. Shift how far you lean, change your knee position, or add a pillow underneath for a better angle and more comfort.
4 Amazon Sex Position Variations to Try
Kneeling Amazon. The top partner kneels instead of squatting. It trades some depth control for more stability, and it is much easier on the thighs if you want to keep going for a while.
Leaning-back Amazon. The top partner leans back with their hands planted on the bed behind them for support. This changes the angle noticeably and gives both partners a different view and sensation.
Shoulder-rest Amazon. Instead of the bottom partner holding their own legs, they rest their legs on the top partner's shoulders. This shifts the stretch and can allow for a slightly different depth.
Edge-of-bed Amazon. The bottom partner lies with their hips at the edge of the bed or mattress while the top partner stands or squats on the floor. It takes some of the flexibility demand off the bottom partner and can be easier to hold for longer.
Who the Amazon Position Suits and Who Should Be Careful
Amazon tends to suit people who enjoy face-to-face intimacy but still want one partner clearly setting the pace. It is also a good pick if you like the visual of watching each other and want an alternative to positions where the receiving partner's legs rest on the other partner's shoulders.
A few situations call for extra care. If the bottom partner has hip or lower back issues, pulling the knees up toward the chest can add strain, so keep the pull gentle or skip this position for now. If the top partner has knee issues, squatting or kneeling for an extended time can be uncomfortable. If anything pinches, aches, or just feels off for either partner, that is your cue to adjust or stop, not push through it.
Amazon Sex Position Comfort and Safety Tips
A water-based lubricant makes this position more comfortable for most people, since the angle can feel different from what you are used to. Reapply as needed rather than waiting until things feel dry.
Go slow, especially the first few times you try Amazon. Ease in gradually and pay attention to how it feels for both of you as you settle into position.
Watch the angle as you line up. Avoid bending the penis at a sharp angle when settling in, and adjust position right away if anything pinches. Stop at any pain, for either partner, rather than trying to work through it.
Amazon itself does not lower the risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, so barrier protection such as condoms still matters exactly as it would in any other position. If you are switching between anal and vaginal contact, use a fresh condom or barrier and wash up in between, since that switch is what raises infection risk, not the position itself.
Talking About It and Consent
A quick conversation before and during sex makes Amazon, or any position, better for everyone involved. A few phrases that work well:
"Want to try Amazon?"
"Is this angle okay, or should I ease up?"
"Can you go a little slower?"
"That feels really good, keep going."
Because the top partner controls the pace, it helps for the bottom partner to check in out loud, and for the top partner to actually listen and slow down when asked. Agree on a simple word or signal beforehand, something either partner can say or do without breaking the mood, so anyone can pause things at any point.
Amazon Position FAQ
Is Amazon hard on your knees?
It can be for the top partner, since squatting or kneeling for a while puts some strain on the knees. The kneeling variation is usually gentler than squatting, and switching to the leaning-back or edge-of-bed variation takes even more pressure off.
Do you need a pillow for Amazon?
You do not need one, but a lot of people find it more comfortable with a pillow under the bottom partner's lower back or hips. It helps with the angle and takes some strain off the lower back.
Is Amazon a good position for beginners?
Yes. It does not require special experience, just a bit of communication about pace and depth, though the bottom partner needs enough hip flexibility to bring the knees toward the chest comfortably, and the edge-of-bed variation eases that. Going slow at first works well for anyone trying it for the first time.
Can Amazon work if one partner has back pain?
It depends on which partner and how severe the pain is. For the bottom partner, the edge-of-bed variation reduces how far the knees need to come up. For the top partner, the leaning-back variation, with hands planted behind for support, can take some load off the lower back compared to squatting upright. If pain persists, choosing a different position altogether is the kinder option.
Does Amazon feel different from legs-on-shoulders positions?
Many people describe it as a role reversal of that angle, since the bottom partner's legs are still up, but the bottom partner is the one penetrating, and the top partner is the one actively moving and controlling depth. Everyone's body responds differently, so it is worth exploring what pace and angle feel best for you specifically.
