Prone Bone Position: How to Do It + 4 Variations

Prone bone is a rear-entry position: the receiving partner lies flat on their stomach, and the penetrating partner lies or kneels over them from behind. It works for vaginal or anal sex, with a penis or a strap-on, and for any gender combination. The person underneath is fully supported by the mattress, so it's a low-effort position for them, while the person on top does most of the moving. One correction, because it shows up a lot online: prone bone is not Yab-Yum. Yab-Yum is a seated, face-to-face embrace that comes from tantric sex practice. Prone bone is lying down, both of you face the same way, and there's no eye contact.

How to Do the Prone Bone Position Step by Step

If you're comfortable with missionary sex, think of prone bone as its mirror image. You get the same lying-down, body-on-body closeness, but the receiver is face-down.

• Get settled. The receiver lies on their stomach with their legs slightly apart. They can turn their head to one side on a pillow or rest their forehead on folded forearms.
• Position the giver. The penetrating partner kneels between the receiver's legs, then lowers their chest toward the receiver's back. They hold their weight on their forearms or on hands planted beside the receiver's shoulders, never on the receiver's back.
• Use lube and go slowly. Entry from this angle often feels snug. Guide yourself in by hand rather than aiming blind.
• Start small. Short strokes, rocking or slow grinding usually work better here than long, hard thrusts.
• Let the receiver steer. Lifting or tilting the hips a little changes the angle a lot. That's the receiver's main way to say "more of that" without words.

4 Prone Bone Variations

1. Pillow-Propped

Slide a firm pillow or a sex wedge under the receiver's hips. Raising the pelvis changes the angle of entry. For some people with a vagina, that means more pressure on the front wall (the G-spot area). It also helps when partners are very different heights.

2. Legs Together

The receiver keeps their legs closed, and the giver straddles the outside of their thighs. This gives more friction and a tighter feel, and it naturally keeps penetration shallower.

3. One Knee Up

The receiver bends one knee out to the side, a sort of half-frog. This opens the hips and leaves room underneath for a hand or a small toy.

4. Kneeling Upright

Instead of lying on top, the giver kneels upright or sits back on their heels. None of their weight rests on the receiver, their hands are free to stroke the receiver's back or hips, and it's easier to see what's working. Pick this one if being pressed down feels like too much.

Making Prone Bone More Comfortable

• Add clitoral or genital stimulation. The receiver's front is pressed into the mattress, so there's little direct stimulation unless you add it. A hand slipped underneath, a small vibrator, or a rolled towel to grind against all help.
• Share the load. Holding yourself up on your forearms gets tiring. Switch to the kneeling variation or take breaks instead of collapsing onto your partner.
• Protect the neck and breathing. Swap which way the head is turned now and then. Never let someone's face sink into a soft pillow.
• Take extra care with anal sex. Use plenty of lube and go slowly. Never move from anal to vaginal penetration without changing the condom or washing first.
• Use barriers. Condoms on penises or toys reduce the risk of STIs. Prone bone doesn't change the protection you need.

When Prone Bone Isn't for You

• Pregnancy: lying on your belly gets uncomfortable as the bump grows, and you don't want weight pressing on it. Side-lying positions like spooning are usually easier. If you have any questions about sex during pregnancy, ask your midwife or doctor.
• Lower back pain: a pillow under the hips eases the arch in the lower back for some people and makes it worse for others. Stop if anything twinges.
• Neck problems: keeping the head turned for a long time can aggravate them. Rest your forehead on stacked hands instead, or skip this position.
• Shoulder or wrist issues for the giver: use the kneeling variation so no weight goes through your arms.
• Feeling pinned: some people love the pressure, and others find it triggers a trapped or anxious feeling. Both reactions are valid, and both are reasons to adjust.
• Any pain during penetration: pause and change something. Pain is information, not something to push through.

Communication and Consent

With no eye contact, you can't read each other's faces, so words matter more than usual. Talk beforehand about what's on the table, especially if anal sex or a firmer, pinned-down feeling is part of the plan. Agree on simple check-ins like "slower," "more," or "stop," plus a non-verbal signal such as tapping the bed twice, because the receiver can't move much. The giver should check in now and then, and either of you can change your mind at any point.

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