The Captain Sex Position Is the Hands-Free Position of Your Dreams
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There is no sex position that’s perfect for everyone—bodies, people, and preferences are all different, all the time. But the captain sex position comes pretty damn close. It’s a rare kind of penetrative sex position where the receiver’s hands are completely free for whatever stimulation they desire, and there’s actually space between your bodies for it. Not just a little room to wedge a hand or toy between you. Ample! Space!
The captain is an ancient Kama Sutra classic where the receiver lies on their back with their legs up in a V shape. The giver kneels between their partner’s legs to enter while holding onto the receiver’s ankles.
The angle of penetration allows for deep sensations and stimulation of the g-area or deeper a-spot, says certified somatic intimacy coach Orla Maguire, founder of Lubify.
You could use it for hard and fast pounding (the captain is here to serve your needs), but it also works really well for slow, connected sex. “With open eye contact and upright posture, it can create a heightened sense of attunement and intimacy,” says Maguire. “The giving partner controls rhythm and depth, offering the chance to move slowly, intentionally, and in sync with their partner’s breath. It’s a position that invites surrender from one partner and presence from the other—a meeting of dominance and trust,” she says.
If the captain doesn’t work for you, that’s totally fine—try another variation! Whether you end up doing the OG captain or an improvised version doesn’t matter. “Great sex isn’t about performance, it’s about presence,” says Maguire. “When you soften into sensation and listen to your body, pleasure becomes a pathway to deeper connection with your partner, and yourself.”
Below, five different ways to try the captain sex position. Ahoy!
The Captain
How to Do It: “In the captain position, the receiving partner lies on their back, legs raised and open,” says Maguire. (The receiver’s legs will be in up a V-shape.) “The penetrating partner kneels between their thighs, holding their ankles for stability and control. Invite gentle movement—hips rocking, micro-adjustments, vocal expression—so both partners stay tuned to sensation rather than performance.”
Pros: Deep penetration, lots of eye contact, and the receiver has both hands free for clitoral stimulation.
Cons: Tired arms for the penetrating partner. “Holding the ankles for extended periods may strain the giver’s wrists or shoulders,” says Maguire. You can stop for a moment to shake it out, or switch to another position.
Switch It Up: The receiver can scissor their legs—closed then open—to adjust how tight the position feels.
Make It Hotter: It would be criminal not to take advantage of this stellar clit accessibility. Use a hand or fire up a really good toy.
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The Softened Captain
How to Do It: Assume the regular captain position with the receiver lying on their back, legs spread and the giver kneeling between their legs to enter. “Then the giver leans forward slightly, draping their chest over the partner’s legs,” says Maguire.
Pros: More skin-to-skin contact that creates a cocooned, nurturing feel, says Maguire.
Cons: According to Maguire, the deep angle can be overwhelming if the receiver isn’t fully relaxed or aroused. So, use lube. Lots of it. A high quality one you know and love.
Switch It Up: The giver can hold both the receiver’s legs together on one side to switch up the stimulation and add a tighter feel
Make It Hotter: “Place a pillow under the receiver’s sacrum to tilt the hips upward, easing pressure and enhancing pleasure,” she says.
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The Shoulder Fold
How to Do It: The receiver lies on their back with their legs bent. The giver kneels between their partner’s legs to penetrate. “But instead of holding the ankles, the receiving partner’s legs are placed over the giver’s shoulders,” says Maguire.
Pros: “This angle deepens penetration and frees the hands for touch, connection, or stimulation,” she says.
Cons: If flexibility is an issue, the receiver might not be able to get their legs over their partner’s shoulders. They can try putting their feet on their partner’s chest or wherever else seems comfortable, and/or use a pillow or sex wedge for optimal angling.
Switch It Up: Since the giver’s hands are free in this version, they can use lubed up fingers to rub the receiver’s clit. A lubed-up palm pressed gently on the entire vulva is a good warm up move.
Make It Hotter: The giver can kiss and suck on the receiver’s toes.
The Breathy Captain
How to Do It: This one is just like the regular captain position, but a slow-mo version. “Slow everything down and let the movement be guided by the breath. Breathe together. One deep inhale, one deep thrust—creating a rhythm rooted in nervous system regulation, not performance,” says Maguire.
Pros: Maximum bonding. “Syncing breath deepens connection and can help the receiving partner relax into the experience,” she says.
Cons: A slow-mo version inherently won’t work for a quickie. Save this for when you have plenty of time to get lost in each other.
Switch It Up: This lends itself to lots of bonding eye contact, but you can also try closing your eyes to heighten the sounds, scents, and sensations of each other.
Make It Hotter: Absolutely use a toy, but a quiet one so there’s not a loud buzz accompanying your breaths.
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