The cuissade position is a side-lying, low-effort favorite for couples who want a lot of closeness without a lot of pumping or bracing. Instead of stacking face to face or straddling on top, the receiving partner lies on their side while the penetrating partner settles in behind and to the side, turned at an angle to their body, with one leg slipped between the receiving partner's thighs for skin-to-skin, thigh-to-thigh contact along almost the whole body. Couples who like slow, close, low-energy sex, or who want something gentle on the back, knees, and belly, tend to enjoy the cuissade position the most. It also works well when one or both partners are tired, easing back into sex after time off, or just in the mood for something unhurried.
How to Do the Cuissade Position: Step by Step
Get comfortable on your sides. The receiving partner lies on their side, with the top knee bent slightly forward for access, while the penetrating partner settles in close behind and a little to the side.
Angle your hips. The penetrating partner turns their hips at an angle to the receiving partner's body, anywhere from a slight turn to roughly perpendicular, rather than lying flat behind them. That turn is what makes the cuissade position different from plain spooning.
Slide one leg between theirs. The penetrating partner threads their top leg between the receiving partner's thighs, so there is firm thigh-to-thigh contact. This crossed leg is the defining feature of the position.
Line up and enter slowly. With bodies angled and the top leg in place, the receiving partner can reach back or between their own legs to help guide entry. Go slowly, since the angle feels different at first.
Find a slow rhythm. Small rocking movements or gentle, short thrusts tend to work better here than big motions, since the crossed legs limit how far either partner can pull away.
Adjust the turn as you go. Turning slightly more or less toward each other changes the depth and pressure, so check in and shift the angle until it feels right for both of you.
4 Cuissade Position Variations to Try
Pillow-lifted cuissade. The receiving partner tucks a pillow under their hips before the penetrating partner settles in at the same angle. It changes the depth slightly.
Steeper-angle cuissade. The penetrating partner turns all the way to a right angle across the receiving partner's body, instead of a partial turn. This creates a more focused, intense angle of contact.
Half-turned cuissade. Both partners rotate partway toward each other so more of the chest and stomach touch, closer to a face-to-face lean, while still keeping one leg threaded between the thighs. It adds eye contact and upper-body closeness without leaving the side-lying setup.
Fully side-lying cuissade. The penetrating partner lies almost flat behind the receiving partner, closer to a spooning angle, with the top leg still tucked between the thighs. It is the most relaxed, lowest-effort version of the cuissade position, good for tired nights or slower mornings.
Cuissade vs. Missionary: Key Differences
Cuissade and missionary share the same goal of closeness, but the mechanics are different. In the cuissade position, the receiving partner lies on their side and the penetrating partner comes in behind and across them at an angle, with one leg crossed between the receiving partner's thighs, so both bodies rest partly on the mattress. Missionary keeps both partners face to face, with the receiving partner on their back and the penetrating partner on top, chest to chest, supporting their own weight on their arms and core.
That difference in effort matters: missionary asks more of the penetrating partner's arms and core, while cuissade lets both partners relax into the bed. Because both bodies are turned on their sides, cuissade is also often compared to spooning; the real difference is the angle, since spooning keeps both partners aligned in the same direction with almost no turn, while cuissade adds that perpendicular twist and the crossed leg. If you want something in between, the sideways missionary position keeps more of missionary's face-to-face feel while still letting both partners lie on their sides.
Who the Cuissade Position Suits and Who Should Be Careful
This position tends to suit people who want closeness without much physical effort, since neither partner has to hold themselves up or support much body weight. It is a good pick for lower-energy days, for partners with different heights or body sizes, or for anyone who simply prefers slower, closer sex over an athletic pace.
A few situations call for extra care. Hip or lower back stiffness can make the crossed-leg angle uncomfortable at first, so start with a gentler, less-turned angle and add a pillow between or under the knees for support. If either partner has limited hip flexibility, the half-turned variation is usually easier than the steeper angle. If anything pinches, aches, or feels wrong in the hips or knees, shift the angle or pause rather than pushing through it.
Cuissade Comfort and Safety Tips
A water-based lubricant makes this position more comfortable for most people, especially since the entry angle is a little different from face-to-face positions. Reapply as needed rather than waiting for things to feel dry.
Pillows help more than in many other positions here. One under the hips, one between the knees, or one supporting the lower back can all make the angle easier to hold for longer without strain.
This position 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 from anal to 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. If you are using silicone toys alongside lube, skip silicone-based lubricant and reach for water-based instead, since silicone lube can break down silicone toys over time.
Talking About It and Consent
A short check-in before and during sex makes this position, or any position, better for both people involved. A few phrases that work well:
"Want to try cuissade tonight?"
"Is this angle comfortable for you?"
"Can we turn a little more, or a little less?"
"That feels good, stay right there."
Check in more than once, since comfort can shift partway through. Agree on a simple word or signal beforehand, something easy to say without breaking the mood, so either partner can slow down, adjust the angle, or stop completely at any point, no explanation required in the moment.
Cuissade Position FAQ
Is cuissade a penetrative position?
Yes. Cuissade is built around penetration, with the crossed-leg, side-lying angle shaping how deep and from what direction that penetration happens. It works for vaginal or anal sex, with the same side-lying setup either way.
What does the name cuissade mean?
It is usually traced to the French word cuisse, meaning thigh, a nod to the leg threaded between the receiving partner's thighs.
Is cuissade good during pregnancy?
Many people find side-lying positions like this one more comfortable later in pregnancy, since there is no pressure on the belly. Comfort still varies person to person, so check with a doctor about what is appropriate for your situation.
What other positions feel similar to cuissade?
Spooning is the closest comparison, since both are side-lying, and the clasp position shares the same low-effort, close-contact feel with a different leg arrangement. If the cuissade position does not click for you, one of those is worth trying next.
