How to Do the Corkscrew Sex Position, According to Experts
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When you’re looking to add a little bit of spice to your sex life, try something new, or challenge yourselves in a good way, consider the corkscrew sex position. It’s not too flexible or intense, but it can mix things up just enough to help you really pay attention to each other and what your bodies are doing, instead of just automatically shifting into your usual positions.
“Most people tend to stick to a few basic sex positions—missionary, cowgirl, doggy, maybe spooning or side sex,” says founder and producer of FrolicMe, Anna Richards. “The corkscrew position puts a twist on these (no pun intended) while incorporating elements of them all. It allows for the intimate eye contact that people love in missionary (since you're face-to-face), the feeling of being taken from behind that people enjoy in doggy, and an angle that lets your partner reach around and touch your clitoris like they might in the spooning position.”
In the corkscrew, the giver is kneeling and the receiver is on their back, but twisted around, hence the name. “The corkscrew position can be great for exploring a different angle of penetration than you're used to,” says resident sexologist for Fleshy, Suzannah Weiss, author of Eve's Blessing: Uncovering the Lost Pleasure Behind Female Pain. “Because the giver is entering from the side, the receiver might feel stimulated on the left or right wall of the vagina as opposed to the upper wall.”
And while it can feel amazing in and of itself, the corkscrew’s biggest superpower is clitoral access, and lots of it. “If you’re craving more clitoral stimulation, you or your partner can pretty easily reach between your legs in this position. Or, to make it easier, use a couples-friendly sex toy,” says Weiss.
Here’s how to do the corkscrew, including a few twists on it, and some expert advice on making it even better. Enjoy it in moderation (…but in excess is fine too).
The Corkscrew
How to Do It: Start with the receiving partner lying flat on their back. The giving partner kneels beside them, straddling one thigh. The receiving partner twists their body toward the straddled leg and lifts their free leg to hook around the giver’s waist. The giving partner can help steady things by holding their partner’s wrapped leg.
Pros: Deep penetration, a new angle. and either of you can hold a toy for the receiver to enjoy clit stim.
Cons: This position can be hard to maintain. “Feel free to roll onto your stomach for lying doggy,” says Weiss.
Switch It Up: Experiment with different versions. What if the receiver bends more forward, or backwards? What about different leg positions? “The receiver might even try lying on their right versus their left, and compare the sensations—some people have one side of the vagina that’s more sensitive,” she says.
Make It Hotter: Try it in front of a mirror and watch yourselves.
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Winged Corkscrew
How to Do It: Assume the regular corkscrew, but in this version, the receiver opens their legs wider, suggests Weiss. The receiver bends their leg and puts their foot up on their partner’s chest or shoulder.
Pros: “This gives both of you access to the receiver’s clitoris, which most people with vulvas say is either necessary to orgasm or enhances their orgasms,” she says.
Cons: Eye contact plus legs wide open can feel vulnerable to some people. Feel free to try it eyes closed or blindfolded to eliminate any intensity you might not necessarily be looking for from this.
Switch It Up: “Have the giver experiment with different thrusting motions: moving their hips forward toward your head, upward toward the ceiling, or even in a circular motion,” suggests Richards.
Make It Hotter: This is the version for receiver’s who like a lot of clit stim. Continue the theme with a powerful wand vibrator.
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Double Twist Corkscrew
How to Do It: The receiver twists their upper body downward so that their chest is against the bed, suggests Weiss. The giver kneels from behind, or sitting back on their heels if that’s more comfortable.
Pros: Weiss says this version can allow for a slightly different angle of penetration and possibly more inner hot spot stimulation. “It also gives the receiver the freedom to close their eyes and focus on the sensations, since they’re facing away from their partner.”
Cons: The receiver needs to be flexible to hold this twist. If it’s not going as planned, try a less intense angle until it feels comfortable. If you feel any pain, stop and go back to what feels good, even if that means abandoning corkscrew altogether. Repeat after me: Sex is supposed to feel good!
Switch It Up: Try this with a clit-suction vibrator.
Make It Hotter: If you’re feeling kinky, this version works well with some BDSM-adjacent adjustments. First and foremost, get consent and establish boundaries. Then, add in some light spanking, or have the giver hold the receiver down, bind the receiver’s wrists, or whatever else feels right in this moment. (Looking for inspo? Check out our BDSM explainer.)
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Cross-Legged Corkscrew
How to Do It: “For a simple variation, the receiver can cross their legs while their partner is inside them,” says Weiss. The giver kneels from behind as in regular corkscrew, but instead of hooking their leg up, the receiver keeps their legs down, pressed together and crossed at the ankles.
Pros: “This creates a tighter fit and more intense stimulation for both of you,” she says. “This can be a helpful strategy to accommodate a partner with a smaller penis.”
Cons: The giver can get tired/sore from the kneeling. If so, this transitions very easily to a spooning position.
Switch It Up: This version of corkscrew works well for anal penetration. Discuss beforehand and use lube!
Make It Hotter: The receiver can hold a slim vibrator between their pressed-together legs.
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Standing Corkscrew
How to Do It: “The receiver lies on their side at the edge of the bed and has their partner enter them from a standing position,” suggests Weiss. The receiver hooks their upper leg up and wraps it around their partner’s hip. The giver holds onto their partner’s leg.
Pros: “This provides the giving partner with a bit more range of motion,” says Weiss.
Cons: The heights of the bed, strap-on/penis, and other body parts might not quite line up. If so, the giver can lean over the bed and rest some of their body weight on their hands.
Switch It Up: For a different feel, prop a sex wedge under the receiver’s hips.
Make It Hotter: Both of you has a single hand free to stroke the other. Take advantage of this.
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