The Hook is a cozy twist on missionary. The receiving partner lies on their back and hooks one leg around the penetrating partner's hip or lower back, while the penetrating partner lies on top or kneels between their thighs. That hooked leg lets the person underneath change the angle, pull their partner closer and control the depth. It's a low-effort, face-to-face position for vaginal or anal sex, and it suits anyone who likes missionary but wants a bit more say from the bottom.
One heads-up: "the Hook" isn't a standardized name, so you'll find slightly different versions online. Below is the most common setup plus three variations, so you can pick what your bodies actually like.
How to Do the Hook Position Step by Step
- Get comfortable underneath. The receiver lies on their back with a pillow under their head and knees bent, feet flat on the bed.
- Move into place. The penetrating partner settles between the receiver's thighs, either lying on top and propped on forearms or kneeling upright.
- Hook the leg. The receiver lifts one leg and wraps it around the partner's hip or lower back. The other leg can stay bent with the foot down, which gives them leverage to move.
- Start slow. Use plenty of lubricant (always for anal) and begin with shallow, gentle movement.
- Find your rhythm. Small changes make a big difference. Raising the hooked leg higher usually tilts the pelvis and allows deeper penetration, and lowering it makes things shallower.
Because penetration alone doesn't stimulate the clitoris directly for most people, add a hand or a small vibrator between your bodies if that's part of how you get there. With anal sex, the angle can put pressure on the prostate for people who have one.
3 Hook Position Variations
1. Double Hook
The receiver wraps both legs around their partner's waist and crosses the ankles behind them. This brings you very close and makes it easy to kiss and hold each other. Movement gets smaller and grindier, which many people enjoy.
2. Shoulder Hook
With the penetrating partner kneeling upright, the receiver rests one ankle on their partner's shoulder instead of their hip. The angle changes noticeably and penetration can feel deeper, so go slowly. This one asks more of the hamstrings and hips, so keep a soft bend in the knee.
3. Side-Lying Hook
Lie on your sides facing each other. The receiver drapes their top leg over the partner's hip and hooks it behind them. Nobody holds up any body weight, which makes this the gentlest version when energy is low. Thrusting is shallower, so focus on rocking together.
Making the Hook More Comfortable
- Pillow under the hips: a firm pillow or wedge under the receiver's lower back takes strain off the hooked leg and changes the angle without any effort.
- Switch legs: swap sides or let the hooked leg drop whenever it gets tired.
- Different bodies, same idea: if lying on top feels heavy, there's a big height or size difference, or bellies get in the way, kneeling upright or going side-lying usually solves it.
- Protection: condoms and other barriers work just as well here. Use them to lower the risk of STIs and pregnancy, and use a new condom when moving from anal to vaginal sex.
When the Hook Isn't for You
- Pain: any sharp or deep pain during penetration is a signal to stop or go shallower, not to push through. If pain with sex keeps happening, it's worth seeing a doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist.
- Hip, knee or lower back issues: the hooked leg works the hip flexors and inner thigh. If that hurts, stick to the side-lying version.
- Pregnancy: from around the second trimester, many healthcare providers advise against lying flat on your back for long periods, and partner weight on the belly isn't comfortable. The side-lying hook is the friendlier option. Follow your own provider's advice, especially if there are complications.
- Recent surgery or injury: check with your doctor about when it's safe to return to sex and which positions to avoid.
Communication and Consent
Steering with a leg is handy, but it doesn't replace words. Before you start, agree on what you both want, whether that's vaginal or anal, deep or gentle. During sex, quick check-ins like "more like this?" or "want to slow down?" keep things good for both of you. Either of you can pause, change position or stop at any moment, and that's always okay. A short chat afterward about what felt great makes the next time even better.
FAQ
Is the Hook good for beginners?
Yes. It's basically missionary with one extra move, so there's very little to learn and it's easy to go back to the basic position at any point.
Can same-sex couples use the Hook?
Absolutely. It works with penetration by a penis, fingers or a strap-on, and the hooked leg can also be used for grinding without penetration.
