Anal Sex Positions: 12 Techniques for Every Level

Anal sex positions are variations in body alignment that change penetration angle, depth, and the amount of control each partner holds over speed and pressure. The anatomy here is direct: the anal canal angles slightly toward the abdomen, so the receiving partner's posture — legs raised, hips tilted, torso flat — determines whether a thrust tracks that curve comfortably or fights it. That's the mechanical core of every position on this page.

Safety first, always. Use a generous amount of lubricant (the rectum produces none on its own), go slow especially at the start, use a condom or other barrier for STI protection, and spend time on warm-up — relaxed muscles make entry far more comfortable and reduce the risk of tissue irritation. Stop and reapply lube any time friction increases. Those four steps — lube, go slow, barrier, warm up — apply to every position below regardless of experience level.

This page covers 12 anal sex positions, roughly ordered from beginner-accessible to more demanding, so you can orient yourself before diving in. If you're newer to anal, anal spooning and anal missionary are the gentlest entry points — they keep penetration depth shallow and let the receiving partner control the pace. More experienced couples tend to gravitate toward anal doggy style for depth and anal cowgirl for full rider control. The prone bone anal position sits at the advanced end because the flat-body angle intensifies pressure significantly.

For a broader look at what makes these positions work anatomically, the how to have anal sex guide covers preparation, communication, and technique in detail. If you already know the basics and want curated shortlists, best positions for anal pleasure and best standing anal sex positions pull the strongest options by category.

One structural note before you explore: the 12 positions below aren't equivalent. Some — missionary, spooning, lap dance — prioritize comfort and eye contact. Others — anvil, leg up, standing — trade gentleness for depth or novelty. Matching the position to where you actually are, not where you wish you were, is the fastest route to a good experience. Try these anal sex positions as a progression rather than a grab bag, and revisit the lube every few minutes regardless of which one you choose.

Anal Missionary

The receiving partner lies on their back with legs raised; the penetrating partner kneels or lies between them. Lifting the legs tilts the pelvis and opens the anal canal's natural angle toward the entering body, reducing resistance. Because both partners face each other, communication is easier — a useful feature when calibrating depth or pace. Tucking a pillow under the receiver's lower back raises the hips further and flattens the curve even more, which most people find noticeably more comfortable on entry.

Anal Cowgirl

The receiving partner straddles the lying partner and lowers onto them, facing forward. Full motion control sits with the rider: they set the angle by leaning forward or back, govern depth by how far they descend, and regulate speed entirely. Leaning slightly forward tends to direct pressure toward the front wall of the rectum; sitting upright increases depth. Because the rider manages every variable, this position works well for people who need to fine-tune sensation in real time.

Anal Reverse Cowgirl

Straddle the lying partner facing their feet. The reversed orientation shifts the penetration angle — the shaft now tracks toward the receiver's lower back rather than their abdomen, which changes where pressure concentrates. Rider control is identical to standard cowgirl, but the altered geometry suits some anatomies better. The penetrating partner's hands reach the receiver's hips and lower back freely, making it easy to assist with rhythm without taking over pace.

Anal Doggy Style

The receiving partner is on hands and knees; the penetrating partner kneels behind. Arching the lower back — dropping the chest closer to the mattress — rotates the pelvis and angles the canal in a way that accommodates deeper penetration more naturally. Flattening the back does the opposite, reducing depth and friction. This is one of the positions where depth can escalate quickly, so it rewards deliberate starting pace and ongoing lube reapplication. The penetrating partner has clear sightlines and both hands free for hip control or additional stimulation.

Anal Spooning

Both partners lie on their sides, the receiving partner's back against the penetrating partner's front. Entry from this angle keeps penetration relatively shallow by default — the bodies curve away from each other, which limits how far the hips can push forward. That makes spooning one of the more accessible starting points for anal play; the receiver can also push back at their own tempo rather than absorbing thrusts. Works equally for strap-on use, with the same positional logic intact.

Anal Anvil

The receiver lies on their back with both legs raised and folded toward their shoulders; the penetrating partner holds the legs in place from above. This collapses the receiver's torso into a sharp hip flexion, rotating the pelvis and straightening the anal canal's curvature substantially. The result is that depth of penetration increases significantly compared to standard missionary. Because the receiver has limited mobility in this position, pace and depth are largely in the penetrating partner's hands — clear communication before starting is more important here than in most other positions on this list.

Standing Anal

The receiving partner stands and bends forward, supporting themselves against a wall or surface; the penetrating partner stands behind. Hip height alignment matters here more than in floor-based positions — a small difference in standing height between partners can change the angle considerably, and bending the knees slightly on either side is usually the fix. Penetration depth is moderate and the receiver retains decent back-pressure control by how far they lean forward. Good for situational spontaneity; less ideal for extended sessions where sustained depth adjustment is needed.

Anal Prone Bone

The receiver lies flat on their stomach; the penetrating partner lies on top. The flat body alignment removes the receiver's ability to tilt their pelvis away from thrust pressure, so compression and friction are both higher than in most other positions. For people with a prostate, this angle can stimulate it indirectly through rectal wall contact — the outcome depends on anatomy and is not guaranteed. For the same reason, this position warrants more warm-up than most and a conscious starting pace. Clenching the glutes reduces effective depth; relaxing them increases it.

Anal Table Top

The receiver sits on the edge of a bed or table and lies back; the penetrating partner stands. This raises the receiver's hips to roughly standing-partner height and produces a penetration angle close to missionary, but with the penetrating partner upright and mobile. The standing position gives the penetrating partner more hip-driven thrust power than kneeling allows. The receiver can brace against the surface and push back, making it one of the more collaborative positions for matching rhythm.

Anal Leg Up

The receiver lies on their back with one leg raised and rested on the penetrating partner's shoulder; the other leg stays flat or bent. The asymmetric leg position rotates the receiver's pelvis slightly to one side, angling the canal differently than a symmetric missionary setup — typically concentrating pressure along one lateral wall rather than straight through. Switching which leg is raised changes where that pressure lands. A useful variation when standard missionary starts to feel monotonous mid-session.

Anal Side Entry

The receiver lies perpendicular to the penetrating partner, whose hips align with the receiver's from a side angle. This geometry produces a lateral penetration angle that most other positions don't replicate — the shaft approaches from the side rather than straight or from behind. Depth is generally limited by the geometry, which makes it lower-intensity than doggy or anvil. The penetrating partner's hands reach the receiver's hips easily; additional stimulation from the receiver's own hands is unconstrained.

Anal Lap Dance

Straddle a seated partner on a chair or the edge of a bed and lower at your own pace. The seated configuration keeps penetration depth strictly in the rider's control — you can stop descent at any point without the penetrating partner being able to push further. Wrapping the arms around the partner's neck or shoulders adds stability. The seated partner's hands reach the rider's hips, thighs, or back without restricting vertical motion, and the upright posture for both partners keeps the angle moderate rather than extreme.

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Tantric Positions Acrobatic Positions Side Positions Standing Positions