
Table of Contents
Reading time: 8 minutes | Last Updated: June 10, 2025
Quick Facts
- What It Is: Vulva-to-vulva position where partners intertwine legs for simultaneous clitoral stimulation and intimate grinding
- Also Known As: Scissoring, tribbing, tribadism, lesbian grinding, vulva-to-vulva contact, lesbian tribbing position, the scissors
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly with practice (positioning takes patience, pleasure is immediate once you find your groove)
- Best For: Mutual stimulation, intimate connection, partners who enjoy grinding motions, eye contact addicts who want to watch each other come undone
- Why It’s Amazing: Both partners receive direct clitoral contact while maintaining soul-melting eye contact and shared control over the rhythm
- Common Challenge: Finding comfortable alignment and sustainable rhythm that works for both bodies
- Perfect Pairing: Water-based lubricant for silky grinding, bullet vibrators or wand vibrators held between bodies for extra stimulation, strap-ons for penetration during grinding, positioning pillows for perfect angles
Why the Lesbian Scissors Position Gets Everyone Talking
Picture this: you’re tangled up with someone gorgeous, legs intertwined like you’re solving the world’s sexiest puzzle, and every movement sends shivers through both your bodies simultaneously. That’s the magic of the lesbian scissors position – and why it’s sparked countless conversations, myths, and curiosities.
Here’s what nobody tells you: 40% of queer women have made this position a regular part of their bedroom adventures, and for good reason. When you nail the technique (pun absolutely intended), you get something rare in sex – true mutual pleasure where both partners ride the same wave of sensation together.
The position gets its name from how your legs look when they’re properly intertwined – like two pairs of scissors meeting at the center. But unlike the awkward, clearly-for-the-camera versions you might’ve seen in mainstream porn, real lesbian scissoring is all about finding that rhythm that makes you both forget your own names.
I still remember the first time my girlfriend and I figured out our perfect angle – suddenly all those hushed conversations at queer events made complete sense. There’s something intoxicating about feeling your partner’s arousal mixing with your own while you’re staring right into their soul.
Scissoring vs. Tribbing: Your Quick Guide to the Family Tree
Think of tribadism as the whole delicious family of vulva-to-vulva contact, and scissoring as that one incredible cousin everyone talks about at family reunions (the fun kind of family reunion, obviously).
Tribbing covers everything – grinding against thighs, hips, bellies, or any body part that makes your clit happy. It’s the term for all that gorgeous grinding and rubbing that makes queer sex so beautifully diverse.
Lesbian scissoring is the specific art where your legs lock together like scissor blades while your most sensitive spots connect. It’s tribbing with a very particular setup that creates its own unique sensations.
Why does this matter? Because once you understand that scissoring is just one flavor in the tribbing ice cream shop, you’ll feel way less pressure to make it “work” and more curious about exploring what feels incredible for your specific bodies.
How to Get Into the Lesbian Scissors Position (Without the Gymnastics Degree)
Setting the Stage for Success
Start with intention, not acrobatics. Sit facing each other close enough that your knees touch. This isn’t just positioning – it’s foreplay. Look into each other’s eyes, touch those gorgeous faces, build that anticipation until you’re both practically vibrating with want.
Create your scissor formation slowly. One of you leans back (let’s call her the lucky one getting to watch the show), while the other scoots forward. The leaning partner extends one leg while keeping the other bent. The forward partner straddles that extended leg and positions her own legs around her partner’s hips.
Find that sweet connection. Here’s where patience becomes your best friend. Slowly adjust until your vulvas align and you both feel that electric “oh, there it is” moment. Don’t rush this part – the anticipation is half the pleasure.
Lock and load. Your legs should now be beautifully tangled like scissor blades, with your most sensitive areas pressed together in the most delicious way. Take a moment to appreciate the view – you’re both gorgeous, and this is about to get very, very good.
Finding Your Rhythm That Makes Magic Happen
Start slow and savor it. Begin with gentle, exploratory movements. Feel how your bodies respond to each other, how your wetness mingles, how every small shift creates new sparks of pleasure. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Talk dirty and direct. “Right there,” “slower,” “fuck, that feels incredible” – this is your time to be beautifully selfish about asking for exactly what makes your toes curl. Your partner wants to drive you wild, so give her the roadmap.
Research consistently shows that open sexual communication between partners significantly enhances both sexual and relationship satisfaction. Studies find that couples who discuss their sexual needs directly report higher overall satisfaction in their relationships.
Use your whole body like the instrument it is. Your hips, thighs, and core all contribute to creating those waves of movement that make scissoring so hypnotic. Think fluid, full-body motion rather than just grinding.
Sync up and get lost together. When you find that rhythm that works, fall into it like you’re slow dancing horizontally. That moment when you’re perfectly synchronized is when scissoring becomes something completely different – more intense, more connected, more addictive.
The first time my partner and I found our groove, we literally couldn’t speak for about five minutes afterward. Moving together in perfect sync while pleasure builds for both of you creates an intimacy that changes how you think about sex.
Safety First, Pleasure Always
Real Talk About STI Prevention
Look, vulva-to-vulva contact means bodily fluids mix, and that means we need to chat about keeping ourselves healthy while having incredible sex. Don’t worry – protection doesn’t have to kill the mood.
Dental dams are your sexy friends. They create a barrier while still letting you feel most of the delicious friction and movement. Some couples find the texture actually adds interesting sensations.
Get creative with cut condoms. Slice a condom lengthwise to create a larger barrier that covers more surface area. It’s like a DIY dental dam with better coverage.
Know your status, know your partner’s. Many established couples choose direct contact after comprehensive testing and honest conversations about exclusivity. The CDC’s STI Prevention Guidelines emphasize that knowing your STI status is a critical step in prevention, and both partners should ask healthcare providers about testing.
Check in with your body. Any cuts, irritation, or weird symptoms? Take a rain check on the scissoring until everything’s healed. Your future self will thank you.
Create emotional safety too. If you or your partner have any history of trauma or body image concerns, take extra time checking in with each other. Creating that safe space where you can say “pause” or “let me adjust” without killing the mood is actually the hottest foundation for incredible sex.
Keeping Your Body Happy During the Fun
Warm up those muscles. A few hip circles and thigh stretches prevent you from cramping up mid-session. Nothing kills the mood like a charley horse when you’re about to peak.
Lube is your liquid confidence. Even when you’re dripping wet with arousal, extended grinding can cause friction. Good lube enhances sensation and keeps everything silky smooth.
Listen to what your body’s telling you. Pain, cramping, or exhaustion are signals to pause, adjust, or try something different. Great sex should feel amazing, not like punishment.
Your First Time: Setting Yourself Up for Success
What to Expect Your First Time
Your first lesbian scissoring experience won’t look like the perfectly choreographed scenes from adult films, and that’s actually way better. Real scissoring involves giggles, adjustments, “wait, let me try this angle” moments, and the kind of authentic intimacy that makes everything way hotter.
Focus on exploration and connection rather than racing toward orgasm. Many women find scissoring intensely pleasurable without necessarily climaxing, and that’s not just okay – it’s actually pretty common and completely satisfying.
Setting Up Your Love Nest
Choose your surface wisely. Soft mattresses make maintaining position tricky. Firmer beds, or even the floor with some cushioning, give you better stability for all that gorgeous grinding.
Pillow strategy is everything. Tuck pillows under hips, backs, or between legs to maintain comfortable angles without your muscles screaming for mercy.
Create your ambiance. Comfortable temperature, privacy, maybe some music that makes you feel sexy – whatever helps you focus on each other instead of worrying about everything else.
When Things Don’t Go According to Plan (Spoiler: That’s Normal)
“We Can’t Find the Right Angle!”
Height differences cramping your style? Stack pillows under the shorter partner’s hips until everything aligns perfectly. Sometimes the solution is literally just lifting someone up a few inches.
Still not connecting? Try different combinations of bent versus straight legs, or have one partner shift their torso position. Small adjustments create big differences.
“This Doesn’t Feel Like Enough”
Add some manual magic. Use your fingers to provide extra clitoral attention while maintaining that delicious grinding motion. Two types of stimulation often equal exponentially more pleasure.
Experiment with pressure. Some clits want gentle teasing, others crave firm pressure. Communication about what makes you see stars is the hottest foreplay.
Try different grinding patterns. Figure-eight motions, circles, varying rhythms – your clit isn’t a metronome, so don’t treat it like one.
“I’m Getting Tired Too Fast”
Build your stamina gradually. Start with shorter sessions and work up to longer adventures as your endurance improves. Think of it as the most fun workout routine ever.
Share the workload. Take turns being the one who drives the movement. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when the dream involves multiple orgasms.
Use better support. Strategic pillow placement reduces muscle strain and lets you focus on the good stuff instead of wondering if your hip is going to cramp.
Advanced Techniques for Next-Level Pleasure
Adding Extra Layers of Sensation
Bring your hands into the party. While you’re grinding together, use your fingers to trace patterns on your partner’s clit, adding another dimension to the pleasure you’re already creating.
Toys can be friends, not competition. A small bullet vibrator held between your bodies adds buzzing sensations while preserving all that gorgeous skin-to-skin contact. Wand vibrators work beautifully too – the broad head provides stimulation for both partners when positioned between your grinding bodies.
Explore different contact points. Your whole vulva is an erogenous zone, not just your clit. Experiment with different areas of contact to discover new favorite sensations.
Building Sexual Tension Like a Pro
Play with rhythm changes. Slow, teasing movements followed by faster, more intense grinding creates waves of anticipation that make the eventual release even more explosive.
Master the art of almost. Build each other right to the edge, then back off slightly. The frustration becomes fuel for an even more intense climax when you finally let yourselves go.
Keep those eyes locked. Watching your partner’s face as pleasure builds while experiencing your own creates a feedback loop that amplifies everything.
For those ready to explore the art of being worshipped, queening position offer a completely different power dynamic that many couples love alternating with scissoring.
When Scissoring Isn’t Your Thing (And That’s Perfectly Fine)
Not every position works for every person, and the lesbian scissors position is no exception. Maybe your bodies don’t align comfortably, maybe you prefer different types of stimulation, or maybe you just find other positions more exciting – all of these responses are completely valid.
Body compatibility varies wildly. Height differences, flexibility levels, and anatomy all affect whether scissoring feels amazing or awkward. There’s no “wrong” body for sex, just different combinations that work better with different techniques.
Personal preferences matter more than trends. Some women love the grinding motion of scissoring, while others prefer more direct clitoral stimulation or different types of touch entirely. Your pleasure preferences aren’t right or wrong – they’re yours.
Alternative options abound. If scissoring doesn’t click for you, exploring other techniques within the broader world of lesbian positions can help you discover what does make your body sing.
The 69 position offers simultaneous oral pleasure that many couples find easier to navigate than scissoring.
The Best Sexy Positions Real Talk
The lesbian scissors position offers something unique in the world of queer sex: true simultaneity where both partners experience building pleasure together while maintaining that soul-deep eye contact that makes everything more intense.
Success with scissoring has less to do with perfect technique and more to do with patience, communication, and willingness to laugh when things get awkward (because they will, and that’s part of the charm).
Whether scissoring becomes your go-to move or just an occasional adventure, the communication skills and body awareness you develop practicing it will enhance every other aspect of your intimate life.
I’ve watched couples discover scissoring and suddenly understand why it has such a devoted following – there’s something magical about moving in perfect sync while pleasure builds for both partners that creates memories you’ll replay for years.
Ready to explore more ways to drive each other wild? Understanding the full spectrum of lesbian sex opens up a world of intimate possibilities that go far beyond any single position. Our complete collection celebrates the incredible variety of ways women can pleasure each other.
Best Sexy Positions delivers real advice from real experiences, not theoretical descriptions written by people who’ve never actually tried these positions. We test what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt techniques for your unique situation and desires.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lesbian Scissors Position
Is lesbian scissoring actually real or just a porn fantasy that doesn’t work in real life?
Absolutely real, and anyone who dismisses it as “just porn stuff” clearly hasn’t experienced it properly. Research shows 40% of queer women regularly use scissoring, and there’s a damn good reason for that. The porn versions are usually unrealistic and clearly performed for cameras, but real scissoring between actual partners who communicate? That creates sensations and intimacy you literally cannot get from other activities. It’s just one technique in a full arsenal of pleasure options, not the only way women have sex.
What’s the actual difference between scissoring and tribbing – are they the same thing?
Tribbing is the whole delicious category of vulva-to-vulva contact and grinding activities. Scissoring is one specific tribbing technique where your legs interlock like scissor blades while your vulvas connect. Think of tribbing as the umbrella term that includes grinding against thighs, hips, or any body part that makes your clit happy. Scissoring is the specific art where you create that interlocked leg formation for direct genital contact.
How do I know if the scissors position will actually work for my body and my partner’s?
Body compatibility varies based on height, flexibility, and anatomy, but most combinations can find a way to make it work with patience and creativity. The key is approaching it as exploration rather than performance. Use pillows strategically, try different leg arrangements, and don’t expect perfection on the first attempt. If standard scissoring feels uncomfortable, modify the position until you find angles that work for your specific bodies. Remember – there’s no “wrong” body for pleasure, just different combinations that work better with different techniques.
Can you actually reach orgasm from scissoring alone or is it mainly foreplay?
Many women absolutely can climax from scissoring because it provides direct, sustained clitoral stimulation through that gorgeous grinding motion. However, it’s not the most common route to orgasm for everyone, and that’s completely normal. Some people use it as incredibly arousing foreplay that builds toward other activities, while others find it perfectly satisfying as the main event. Focus on how amazing it feels rather than making orgasm the only goal – the pleasure and connection are what matter most.
What safety precautions should I actually worry about during scissoring?
Since scissoring involves genital-to-genital contact, STI transmission is possible through bodily fluid exchange. If you’re not in a monogamous relationship with recent clean test results, use barriers like dental dams or cut condoms. Always use adequate lubrication to prevent uncomfortable friction during extended grinding sessions, and communicate immediately if anything feels painful rather than pleasurable. Trust your body’s signals – if something hurts, adjust the position or take a break.