The scorpion sex position is a rear-entry position. The receiving partner lies face down and curls their lower legs up and back, like a scorpion's tail, while their partner kneels behind. It looks more dramatic than it is. With a pillow under the hips and an honest chat about flexibility, most bodies can find a version that is comfortable. You also get a lot of control over how deep it feels.
How to Do the Scorpion Position: Step by Step
A quick note on the name: some guides use "Scorpion" for a stunt-style pose. This guide covers the grounded version, where nobody leaves the mattress.
- Set up the surface. Use a firm mattress or a padded floor. Keep a firm pillow or wedge and some lube within reach.
- Receiving partner lies face down. Slide the pillow or wedge under their hips. It tilts the pelvis up, so the angle comes from the prop and not from the lower back. They can prop up on their forearms with elbows under their shoulders, or rest their chest and head on a pillow if their neck or back prefers that.
- Penetrating partner kneels behind. They kneel between the receiver's thighs, with something soft under their knees. They can stay upright or lean forward with their hands planted beside the receiver's hips.
- Make the tail. The receiver bends their knees and raises their lower legs so the feet point up and back toward their head. Stop wherever it feels good. The penetrating partner can cradle the ankles, or let the feet rest against their chest or shoulders.
- Enter slowly and pause. Start shallow and stay still for a moment. If the angle feels off, change the pillow height before you start moving.
- Move, then unwind in reverse. Small, slow strokes work best here. To finish, let go of the ankles, lower the legs one at a time, and roll onto your side.
Why the Scorpion Position Works
The tilt changes the angle of contact. For some people it may put more pressure on the front vaginal wall (the G-spot area) or the prostate. Bodies vary, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.
It often feels deeper than it is, and real depth varies with anatomy and arousal. The good news is that the receiver holds the controls: a gentle push back slows things down, and flattening out makes it shallower. Working it out together is part of the fun, and it's a gentle way into acrobatic sex positions without the actual acrobatics.
Scorpion Position Variations
- Low Scorpion: Stop the tail at a right angle. It's the easiest start for tight hamstrings, quads or a stiff back.
- Pillow-Only Scorpion: Skip the tail (or raise one leg) and let a taller prop do all the tilting, for when flexibility is the limit.
- Full Scorpion: The receiver holds their own ankles, as in a yoga bow pose. Only try it if that stretch is already easy, and keep movements small, since their hands aren't free for support.
- Side-Lying Scorpion: Spoon, with the top leg bent back. You get a similar angle with no weight on the arms, which is kinder to tired wrists and sore knees.
Exploring nearby types of sex positions, such as doggy style, is an easy way to find an angle you like before adding the tail.
Who Should Skip or Modify It
The full version suits people with flexible hips, quads and lower backs. Choose the Low, Pillow-Only or Side-Lying version, or skip it altogether, if you have:
- Lower-back, neck or hip pain, or a condition that gets worse when you arch your back.
- Knee problems. Deep knee bends affect the receiver, and kneeling affects the penetrating partner.
- Wrist or shoulder pain. Avoid propping up on your forearms and rest your chest on a pillow instead.
- Pregnancy, especially after the first trimester, when lying on the belly gets uncomfortable (see the FAQ).
Comfort, Safety and Consent
- Props do the heavy lifting. A firm wedge under the hips is what makes this position work for less flexible bodies. Pad the receiver's elbows and the penetrating partner's knees as well.
- Lube generously. It reduces friction at a new angle, but it won't make a painful position okay.
- Agree on a signal first. Talk about sore spots beforehand, and pick a word or a tap for "pause" and "stop." A tap works well when your face is in a pillow. The penetrating partner asks before changing the depth, speed or leg position.
- Stop for sharp, pinching or burning pain, cramps, numbness or dizziness. A stretch that feels like effort is normal. Pain is not.
- Talk afterward about what worked and what to change next time. That's how the position gets better.
Scorpion Position FAQ
Is the Scorpion position good for beginners?
Yes, if you start with the Low or Pillow-Only version. No one gets lifted, so the main challenge is flexibility, not strength. If you've tried doggy style or prone rear entry before, you already know most of the mechanics.
Can you do the Scorpion position while pregnant?
It's usually not a good fit once the bump grows, because the receiver lies on their belly and arches the lower back. The Side-Lying Scorpion variation keeps a similar angle without pressure on the abdomen. If you have pregnancy complications, check with your midwife or doctor about sex in general.
Why does my lower back hurt in the Scorpion?
Usually the arch is coming from the spine instead of the pillow. Raise the wedge, lower your feet and rest your chest flat on the bed. If it still hurts, switch to the Side-Lying version and see a professional if the pain lingers.
What's the difference between the Scorpion and the Wheelbarrow?
In the Scorpion the receiver lies fully supported on the bed, while in the Wheelbarrow they hold themselves up on their hands as their partner lifts their legs. That makes the Wheelbarrow much harder on the wrists and the lifter. The Scorpion's challenge is flexibility in the curled legs, not balance.
