Scissor Position: How to Do It + 4 Variations

The scissor position is a low-effort, lying-down position where your legs interlock like a pair of open scissors. In the classic version, one partner lies on their back and the other lies on their side at an angle to them. Their hips meet in the middle and their legs cross in an X. Nobody has to hold up their body weight, so it suits slow mornings, tired evenings, partners with different heights, and anyone who wants closeness without acrobatics. It works for penetrative sex with a penis, a strap-on or a dildo, and a close cousin of it is a favorite for vulva-to-vulva play (more on that below).

Let's be clear about what it is and isn't. It's comfy and intimate, and it usually gives shallower, gentler penetration than positions like missionary or doggy style. That's a feature, not a flaw. Many people like it precisely because it's slow and easy to control.

How to Do the Scissor Position Step by Step

We'll call the person being penetrated the receiving partner and the other person the penetrating partner. Swap roles however you like.

• Receiving partner: lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the bed. Then let your knees fall slightly open.
• Penetrating partner: lie on your side next to them, facing their body, with your hips close to theirs. Your torso angles away, so from above your bodies form a loose V or X.
• Interlock your legs: the receiving partner lifts the leg closest to their partner and drapes it over the penetrating partner's hip. The penetrating partner slides their bottom leg underneath the receiving partner's thighs.
• Line up: scoot your hips together until they meet. Add plenty of lube and guide entry slowly with a hand.
• Move: the penetrating partner rocks their hips forward and back. The receiving partner can push into the movement or grind in small circles. Short, steady strokes work better here than long thrusts.

Expect a little shuffling the first time. Tangled legs plus an angle you've never tried means you may need two or three goes to find the sweet spot. Laughing about it is part of the deal.

4 Scissor Position Variations

1. Side-by-Side Scissor

Both partners lie on their sides facing each other and slide their legs between each other's. This puts you face to face, so kissing and eye contact are easy, and nobody lies flat on their back. Penetration is shallow, so treat it as a slow, cuddly option.

2. Raised-Leg Scissor

From the classic setup, the receiving partner lifts their top leg higher and rests it on a pillow or on the penetrating partner's shoulder or upper arm. This changes the angle and can feel deeper or more intense. Only lift as far as your hamstrings and hips are happy. A pillow under the raised leg is kinder than holding it up.

3. Scissor With a Toy

The X shape leaves the vulva or penis area within easy reach, and nobody needs their hands for balance. Either partner can hold a small wand or a couples' vibrator against the clitoris or perineum during penetration. Many people with a clitoris need direct external stimulation to orgasm, and this position makes that easy to add.

4. Vulva-to-Vulva Scissoring

For partners with vulvas, "scissoring" (also called tribbing) means interlocking legs so your vulvas press together, then grinding and rocking. Lying fully side by side is honestly hard to keep up. It's usually easier when one partner lies on their back and the other sits up between their legs at an angle, leaning back on their hands. Go slowly, use lube to cut down friction, and remember that grinding is often just one part of the fun alongside hands, mouths and toys.

Making It More Comfortable

• Pillows are your friend. Put one under the receiving partner's hips to tilt the pelvis, or one behind the penetrating partner's back so they don't roll away.
• Lube generously. The angle can create more friction than usual. For anal sex in this position, lube is essential, and a condom lowers STI risk.
• Adjust the angle, not the force. If it doesn't feel right, move your hips a few inches or change how wide the X is before trying harder.
• Height differences matter less here than in face-to-face standing or kneeling positions, because you meet at the hips.
• Penis or toy slipping out? That's common with shallow angles. Bend the receiving partner's knees more, or switch to the raised-leg variation.

When the Scissor Position Isn't for You

• Pregnancy: the side-by-side variation is often a comfortable choice. In later pregnancy, many clinicians advise against lying flat on your back for long stretches, so pick the side-lying version and check with your midwife or doctor about anything specific to your pregnancy.
• Hip, groin or knee pain: the open, rotated legs can strain the hip joint. Keep the legs lower and supported, or choose a different position.
• Lower back issues: the penetrating partner's twisted torso can bother some backs. A pillow behind them and less twist help, but stop if it hurts.
• Pain during penetration: stop, add lube, change the angle, or take a break. Pain isn't something to push through, and if it keeps coming back, it's worth seeing a healthcare provider.

Talking It Through

Because the angle is unusual, small feedback goes a long way: "a little higher," "slower," "stay right there." Agree beforehand on what you're both up for (penetration, toys, anal or not), check in when you move into a new variation, and remember that either of you can pause or stop at any point. A tangle of limbs is also a great excuse to say, mid-giggle, "Wait, whose leg is this?"

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