8 Sex Positions With the Man on Top

Positions that include the penetrative partner on top—whether they’re penetrating with a penis, their fingers, or a strap-on dildo—allow them to control the speed, depth, and angle of penetration. If you’re looking for new ways to spice up your bedroom routine, here are eight common positions that put the penetrative partner on top:

1. 1. Butterfly: In this position, the penetrative partner stands facing the bed while the receiving partner lies on their back with their legs spread. This position is mostly hands-free, which allows both partners to use their hands to explore erogenous zones or use sex toys to caress or stimulate.
2. 2. CAT: The CAT position—an acronym for coital alignment technique—is a modified version of the missionary position, optimal for those who enjoy clitoral stimulation. In the CAT position, the receiving partner lies on their back. The penetrative partner lies atop them, but several inches above standard missionary placement (with their chest near their partner’s shoulders). This shift results in a downward-angled thrust for the penetrative partner, while the receiving partner rocks and gyrates their hips against their partner’s body and genitals.
3. 3. Doggy style: In the doggy style position, the receiving partner gets on all fours, and the penetrative partner kneels behind them to penetrate from behind. The penetrative partner can increase the power or depth of their thrusts by gripping the receiving partner’s hips during intercourse. Doggy style offers some of the deepest penetration of any position, optimal for vulva owners who enjoy cervical stimulation.
4. 4. Kneeling missionary: In this variation of the missionary position, the receiving partner lies on their back with their hips elevated, while the penetrative partner kneels between their legs. This elevation reduces deep penetration and stimulation for sensitive partners (or people who want to hold off on ejaculation or orgasm).
5. 5. Lazy dog: A more relaxed version of doggy style, the lazy dog position has the receiving partner lie on their stomach, with the penetrative partner lying prone on top of them. This position offers maximum skin-to-skin contact, similar to spooning or cuddling, which can make it especially intimate. The reduced depth of penetration in this position can offer less intense penetration and stimulation for sensitive partners (or people who want to extend the length of intercourse). Some receiving partners enjoy the sensation of having the penetrative partner’s weight pressing down on their entire body.
6. 6. Missionary: The missionary position—sometimes called man-on-top—is one of the simplest and most common sexual positions (it’s even in the Kama Sutra). For the missionary position, the receiving partner lies on their back with their legs spread, and the penetrative partner lies face down on top of them for penetration. This position offers deeper penetration, which can be especially good for g-spot stimulation. Missionary can be an incredibly intimate position because both partners are face-to-face for eye contact or making out. Missionary also frees up the receiving partner’s hands, enabling self-stimulation (whether they have a clitoris and vulva or a penis), encouraging the use of vibrators or other sex toys, and the exploration of their partner’s erogenous zones.
7. 7. Straddled missionary: In straddled missionary, the receiving partner lies on their back with their legs straight (rather than spread), while the penetrative partner straddles them. This variation stretches different muscles and can be an excellent way to customize traditional missionary while still maintaining full-body contact and eye contact.
8. 8. Wrapped missionary: In the wrapped missionary position, the receiving partner lies on their back and wraps their legs around the penetrative partner. The deeper stretch offers more intense stimulation for both partners.

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