Side Missionary Position: Orgasmic Connection Without Breaking a Sweat

What Happens When Missionary Gets a Little… Sideways?

Forget everything you think you know about missionary. Side missionary isn’t that boring position your ex used to fall asleep during. This sideways variation takes that same face-to-face setup but flips it on its side, unlocking access to nerve endings you didn’t even know existed.

It’s one of our most underrated missionary positions that proves the best pleasure often comes from the simplest tweaks.

Side missionary (or lateral missionary) isn’t rocket science – it’s exactly what it sounds like. Instead of one person crushing the other while desperately trying not to collapse after three minutes, you’re both comfortably lying on your sides facing each other. Simple change, mind-blowing difference. Your genitals connect at an entirely new angle while your hands are free to roam, grab, and explore without supporting your entire body weight.

And the best part? No more dead-arm syndrome or neck cramps. This is the position that lets you transition from “that was nice” to “holy shit, did we just have sex for an hour straight without stopping?” Your neighbors will hate you for it, but your body will thank you.

Why Side Missionary Will Transform Your Sex Life (Warning: May Ruin Other Positions Forever)

Let me be brutally honest with you – the side missionary position is sexual genius disguised as laziness. While Instagram models are pulling hamstrings trying to recreate positions that look impressive but feel mediocre, side missionary quietly delivers the kind of orgasms that make you temporarily forget your own name.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

• Face-to-face intensity that hits different: You’re staring right into each other’s souls while your bodies connect. That eye contact during climax? Electric. Primal. Almost unsettlingly intimate.
• Total tactile freedom: Your hands aren’t supporting weight, so they’re free to grab asses, pinch nipples, or slide between bodies for direct stimulation. Try touching your partner’s face while penetrating them deeply – it creates a connection that’s almost overwhelming.
• The friction feels like a revelation: The sideways angle creates a dragging sensation against your G-spot or prostate that feels like someone finally found the “on” switch to your pleasure center. That gentle-but-firm pressure hits spots that traditional positions simply can’t reach.
• Marathon potential: You can literally go for an hour without getting tired. The first time I discovered this with my partner, what was supposed to be a quick morning session turned into nearly 45 minutes of slow, building pleasure that had us both shaking by the end. The mattress had a sweat outline of our bodies afterward – it was that intense.
• Perfect for lazy desire: Ever been desperately horny but too exhausted to orchestrate a full sexual production? Side missionary is your solution. Half-asleep, hangover, post-workout exhaustion – doesn’t matter. Your genitals can connect while the rest of your body relaxes.

Turns out when you’re not counting the seconds until your arms give out, you can actually focus on the pleasure. This relaxed position lets you control the depth and pace without breaking a sweat. It’s not just lazy – it’s actually smart sex. Side positions like this are even recommended by the Cleveland Clinic for people with conditions like endometriosis because they reduce strain while letting you control depth. Comfortable bodies have better orgasms – who knew?

I dare you to try this position without becoming addicted to it. When my partner and I first mastered side missionary, we went through a phase where we used it almost exclusively for weeks because nothing else compared to the unique combination of deep physical sensation and intense eye connection. You’ve been warned.

How to Master Side by Side Missionary (Without Looking Like Awkward Teenagers)

Ready to discover why lazy lovers have the best orgasms? Here’s exactly how to nail the side missionary position:

1. Start with boring-ass missionary: Get into regular missionary first—one of you on top, one on bottom. Nothing special yet.
2. Roll over together: Both of you roll to one side like you’re a single unit. Keep your bodies pressed together and—this is crucial—don’t pull out during the transition. Stay connected.
3. Get your legs situated: If you’re receiving, you’ve got options: keep both legs straight for a tighter fit, throw your top leg over your partner’s hip for deeper penetration, or bend both knees slightly for the perfect middle ground.
4. Find that sweet spot: Penetrating partner, move your hips around until you hit that “oh fuck” angle. It might take some wiggling and a few “wait, that’s not it” moments, but when you find it, you’ll both know.
5. Get your groove on: Forget jackhammer thrusting—this position is all about grinding, rocking, and slow, deliberate movements. Think quality over quantity with your thrusts.

Real talk: The first time I tried this with my partner, we spent an embarrassing minute adjusting and readjusting like we were trying to assemble IKEA furniture with our bodies. Don’t get discouraged! That moment when you finally lock in feels like solving a sexual puzzle, and the reward is intense pleasure with minimal effort. Pro tip: penetrating partner, slide your free arm under their neck or grab their ass to guide the movement—it’s hot and practical.

Side Missionary Variations To Make Them Beg For More

Here are three side missionary upgrades that’ll have your partner grabbing the sheets and moaning your name:

Classic Side Missionary (Legs Closed)

The basic side-lying setup where you’re face-to-face with minimal adjustments. When you’re staring directly into each other’s eyes while getting off, it creates an intensity that’s almost uncomfortable—in the best possible way. The raw intimacy of watching your partner’s every expression as they approach orgasm is hotter than any porn you’ve ever watched. I’ve had partners confess things during classic side missionary they wouldn’t dare say in any other position.

Raised Leg Side Missionary

Receiving partner, throw your top leg over your partner’s hip or waist and feel the difference immediately. It’s like someone suddenly found a new depth setting you didn’t know existed. The penetration goes from “that feels nice” to “holy shit, what are you touching inside me?” in seconds. This angle targets your G-spot or prostate like it was designed specifically for that purpose. The first time my partner tried this variation on me, I literally couldn’t form sentences afterward.

Lovers Knot 

The receiving partner turns slightly toward the mattress while the penetrating partner stays more on their side—an in-between position that lands somewhere between classic side missionary and a lazy, wrapped-up cuddle. This “accidental” variation happened during a position switch in my bedroom, and we both froze when we realized how incredible it felt. It gives you the deep, satisfying glide of angled penetration with the intimacy of face-to-face contact. Perfect for morning sex when you want to get off but also want to see your partner’s sleepy, pleasure-drunk face.

Don’t stop there—shove a pillow under someone’s hip, bring in a vibrator, or grab your partner’s ass to control the depth. Side missionary gives you two free hands between you—use them to touch all the places that make each other moan.

Why Side Missionary Will Make Your Sex Life 10x Better

Sideways missionary isn’t just another way to get your rocks off – it’s the position that smart couples use when they want to have the kind of sex that leaves them wondering why they ever bothered with other positions:

• You can literally go forever: No weight on your arms means no more “my triceps are burning” timeout calls
• Morning wood solution: Roll over half-asleep and slide right in—no fully waking up required
• Pregnancy-proof pleasure: She can get thoroughly fucked without a pound of pressure on her belly
• Recovery day delight: When you’re too sore from yesterday’s wild session but still horny as hell
• Soul-gazing intensity: Lock eyes while you’re deep inside—it’s weirdly more intimate than a full-on confession
• Perfect control: Hit exactly the right depth without the awkward “too deep” moments of regular positions

Why Side Missionary Will Ruin Regular Sex For You

After experiencing side missionary sex, you’ll look at regular positions and think “why the hell am I working so hard?” Here’s why this position will become your default when you just want to get off without a workout:

• No more selfish sex: Both partners can actually move and contribute instead of one doing all the damn work
• Goldilocks zone of effort: More active than just lying there getting spooned, but way less work than traditional positions
• G-spot/P-spot bullseye: The sideways angle literally rubs against your pleasure spots like it was designed by sex scientists
• Zero pressure to perform: No more “am I thrusting fast enough?” anxiety—slow and steady wins this race
• Maximum laziness, maximum orgasms: The least amount of effort for the most intense pleasure possible

I’ve had partners literally text me “side missionary tonight?” because once they’ve experienced it, they crave it specifically. The first time my partner and I came together in this position, we both made the kind of sounds our neighbors definitely heard through the walls. The combination of hitting all the right spots while staring into each other’s eyes was so intense we just lay there afterward, unable to speak, wondering what the hell just happened to our bodies.

Keeping It Real: The Side Missionary Struggles

Let’s cut the bullshit – no sex position is perfect every time. Here are the potential headaches with side missionary and how to handle them:

Finding the right entry angle can be a geometric puzzle

Getting the penetration angle right in side missionary sometimes requires the spatial awareness of a NASA engineer. Body shapes, sizes, and how flexible you are all affect how easily you’ll slide into position. The first time my boyfriend and I tried this, we spent an awkward minute shifting around like we were trying to solve a horny Rubik’s cube. Don’t get frustrated – that moment when you finally lock in feels all the more satisfying after the struggle.

Height differences become way more obvious

When you’re both horizontal, that six-inch height difference suddenly matters a lot more. If one of you is significantly taller, your genitals won’t naturally align unless you offset your bodies. My ex was almost a foot taller than me, and we had to position ourselves like misaligned puzzle pieces (my face at his chest level) to make everything connect properly.

You can’t always see the action

If you’re someone who gets off on watching penetration happen, side missionary might leave you frustrated. You sacrifice that visual feast for comfort and staying power. But trust me—when you can’t see what’s happening, your body focuses intensely on how it feels instead. It’s like your nerve endings get upgraded when your eyes aren’t distracted.

When you can’t rely on visual turn-ons, your body naturally heightens other sensations – science backs this up. Research published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy confirms that limiting one sense often enhances others during intimate experiences. Your body compensates in delicious ways when you can’t see everything happening.

How To Fix Side Missionary When It’s Not Working

When side missionary isn’t hitting right, these adjustments will save your session:

• Pillow power play: Shove a pillow under the receiving partner’s hip. That slight elevation creates an entirely new angle that often solves everything instantly.
• Leg choreography: Play with different leg positions like it’s sexual Tetris. Bend that top leg more, straighten it out, hook it over their thigh—every slight adjustment changes the sensation completely.
• Stagger your bodies: Don’t try to align head-to-head like synchronized swimmers. Offset your torsos so your genitals line up properly even if your faces don’t.
• Asymmetry is your friend: Let the receiving partner lie flatter while the penetrating partner stays more on their side. Who cares if it looks weird if it feels amazing?
• Just say what you need: “Move your ass higher” or “Put your leg over mine” isn’t bossy—it’s hot. Direct communication during position adjustments is the difference between mediocre and mind-blowing sex.

Backup Positions When Side Missionary Isn’t Happening

If you’ve adjusted every which way and side missionary still isn’t working for your bodies today, don’t force it. Try these alternatives that maintain either the missionary intimacy or the side-lying comfort:

From the Missionary Family:

Butterfly Missionary Position

Have the receiving partner lie on their back at the edge of the bed with legs raised. The penetrating partner stands or kneels, entering from the front with the same intense eye contact as side missionary but with easier alignment. When my partner and I couldn’t get side missionary to work after a particularly exhausting day, this position delivered the same intimate connection without the geometric puzzle.

Coital Alignment Technique (CAT)

This modified missionary position shifts the penetrating partner higher up on the receiving partner’s body, creating perfect clitoral contact with each subtle movement. CAT maintains the face-to-face connection while focusing on grinding rather than thrusting—similar to the rhythm that works best in side missionary but in a more traditional position.

From the Side Position Family:

Classic Spooning

When you love the lazy, side-lying aspect of side missionary but need a break from the intense eye contact, spooning delivers. This position offers the same comfort and minimal exertion while providing deeper penetration from behind. It’s perfect for morning sex when you’re not quite ready to look each other in the eye but definitely ready for pleasure.

Scissors Position

For couples who love the sideways connection of side missionary but need a different angle, scissors provides the perfect alternative. With your legs intertwined in an X-formation, you get the same side-lying comfort with different points of pressure and friction. Plus, it provides excellent clitoral access for added stimulation.

This mix of positions from both the missionary and side position families gives you options based on which aspect of side missionary you’re most trying to replicate—the face-to-face intimacy or the comfortable side-lying arrangement. Sexual compatibility sometimes means crossing between position categories to find what works perfectly for your unique bodies.

Ready to Try Side Missionary? The BSP Bottom Line

Side missionary isn’t flashy enough for porn cameras or flexible enough for Kama Sutra illustrations, but it might just become your secret favorite. This underrated position delivers pleasure that builds like a slow-burning fuse rather than a quick firecracker—and the explosion when it hits? Legendary.

Whether you’re looking for hangover-friendly sex, a position that won’t hurt her pregnant belly, or just want to get off without feeling like you’re doing CrossFit, side missionary delivers pleasure that far exceeds the effort required. The first time I surrendered to the unhurried rhythm of this position, I experienced the kind of full-body orgasm that temporarily short-circuited my ability to form coherent thoughts.

BSP certified: At BSP, we don’t just theorize about positions—we’ve personally “tested” every single one. Multiple times. With different partners. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Our test subjects gave side missionary an enthusiastic two thumbs up… once they regained feeling in their extremities. Try a BSP-certified position tonight and send us a mental thank-you when you’re lying in a post-orgasmic daze.