The Banana Split is a face-to-face position. The receiving partner lies on their back with their legs raised and opened into a wide V, a "split". The penetrating partner kneels upright between those legs. It sounds like a yoga class, but most people need only moderate flexibility, a pillow and a partner who's paying attention.
Different websites use the name "Banana Split" for different moves, which can be confusing. In this guide it always means the version above: one person on their back with legs up and apart, the other kneeling between them. It works with a penis or a strap-on, for vaginal or anal sex, and for couples of any gender. Many people like it because the kneeling partner has free hands and both of you can see each other's faces.
How to Do the Banana Split Position
- Set up the base. The receiving partner lies on their back on a bed or a padded floor. A firm pillow under the hips tilts the pelvis up and makes the angle easier for both of you.
- Raise the legs. The receiving partner lifts their legs and lets them fall open into a V, only as wide as feels good. Knees can stay softly bent. You don't need straight legs or a full split.
- Kneel in. The penetrating partner kneels upright between the receiver's thighs, close enough that their hips line up with the receiver's pelvis. A pillow under the knees helps on a hard surface.
- Support the legs. The kneeling partner holds the receiver's calves or the backs of their thighs. That gives the receiver's hamstrings a break and the kneeling partner something to brace against. Ask before holding the ankles, because they're a more delicate lever.
- Enter slowly. Use plenty of lube and start shallow. The kneeling partner controls depth and rhythm. The receiver can steer by tilting their pelvis or asking for a wider or narrower V.
With the legs raised, penetration often feels deeper than in standard missionary. That's the appeal for some people and a reason for caution for others. Start gently and build from there.
3 Banana Split Variations
1. Half Split (One Leg Up)
The receiving partner keeps one leg up, resting on the kneeling partner's shoulder or chest, and lowers the other leg flat on the bed. The kneeling partner straddles the flat leg. This is the easiest version for tight hips or hamstrings. Switch sides halfway through so one leg doesn't do all the work.
2. Wide V With Feet Supported
The receiving partner opens their legs wider and rests their feet or calves against the kneeling partner's shoulders or upper arms. With less weight to hold, the receiver can relax into it. It also leaves room for a hand or a toy on the clitoris or genitals. If anything pulls in the inner thighs or groin, close the V a little.
3. Edge-of-the-Bed Banana Split
The receiving partner lies with their hips near the edge of the bed. The other partner stands, or kneels on a cushion on the floor, between their raised legs. This takes the strain off the kneeling partner's knees and helps when the two of you are very different heights. Check that the bed and the floor are stable, and put a towel down if the floor is slippery.
Comfort Tips
- Pillows do the heavy lifting. One under the receiver's hips, one under the kneeling partner's knees, and one under the receiver's head if their neck tenses.
- Warm up first. Foreplay and arousal make deeper angles more comfortable, and gentle stretching of the hips and hamstrings beforehand helps too.
- Lube generously. Use extra for anal sex, which needs a slower start. Use a fresh condom when switching from anal to vaginal penetration.
- Protection. Condoms protect against STIs and pregnancy in this position just as in any other. Use a water- or silicone-based lube with latex condoms.
- Take breaks. Lowering the legs for a minute, or moving into missionary, is a perfectly good intermission.
When the Banana Split Isn't for You
Skip it or modify it if raising or spreading the legs causes pain in the lower back, hips, groin or hamstrings. Be especially careful after hip surgery or a joint replacement, or with a recent injury. If deep penetration causes sharp or aching pain (for example, from pressure on the cervix), switch to the half-split variation or another position. Don't push through it. Pain during sex that keeps coming back is worth raising with a doctor.
The kneeling partner may find long sessions hard on their knees. The edge-of-the-bed variation helps with that. In pregnancy, deep angles may become uncomfortable, and later in pregnancy many people are advised not to lie flat on their back for long. Side-lying positions are usually a better choice, and your midwife or doctor can tell you what's safe for you.
Some partners mix in spanking, nipple play or other extras. They're great if you've both agreed to them beforehand, and they're never a surprise to spring mid-position. For something completely different, many couples also enjoy doggy style, where the receiving partner is on hands and knees.
Communication and Consent
This position puts the receiver in an open, fairly exposed pose while the kneeling partner sets the pace, so check in often. Agree on simple signals before you start: "wider," "closer," "slower," "legs down." A tap on the arm can work as a non-verbal stop. Either of you can pause or change positions at any point, and changing your mind isn't a failure. The face-to-face angle makes it easy to read each other, so use it.
FAQ
Why is it called the Banana Split?
The name refers to the raised, opened legs forming a "split". It's a playful nickname rather than a formal term, which is why different sources attach it to slightly different positions.
Can the receiving partner reach orgasm in this position?
For many people, especially those with a clitoris, penetration alone isn't enough. In the Banana Split, the receiver or the kneeling partner can add a hand or a small vibrator, which often makes all the difference.
Does the Banana Split work for plus-size bodies?
Yes. Extra pillows under the hips, a slightly narrower V and the edge-of-the-bed variation give more room and better access. Adjust the setup until it's comfortable for both of you.
