Sex Position Names and Diagrams: Whose Bloody Leg Is That Meant to Be?

You wanted a new sex position. You're both naked, your phone's out, and you're turning it sideways, trying to work out whether that bloke has three knees. "Is that her arm?" "I think that's her leg." "Then where's her other leg?" It was going so well.

Position names aren't consistent, and a pretty drawing doesn't always explain much. One guide's "butterfly" is another guide's "amazon", and neither tells you what to do with your feet. Here's how to work out the bit you actually want.

Look at what the bodies are doing

Skip the dramatic name for a moment. Who's lying down? Who's sitting up? Which way are they facing? Then look at what's holding each person up. A hand disappearing behind someone's arse could be doing some serious work. You can be adventurous and still expect the artist to account for everyone's legs.

Say it in ordinary words

Try describing the part you want. "On our sides, with you behind me" tells your partner far more than announcing you'd like to try the Reclining Dragon. And "I want you on your knees with my legs over your shoulders" is a lot hotter than any name in a book.

If a guide says "face to face", you still need to know if you're sitting, lying down or standing. If it says "one partner on top", ask where their weight goes and who gets to move. And "side by side" could mean facing each other or the same way. A name's handy once you both know what it means. Until then, plain words work fine, and they're filthier anyway.

Copy the idea, not every bend

Maybe what's good about it is kissing face to face, having your hands free or letting someone else set the pace. Keep that, and change everything else. Different heights and body shapes change what fits, and our guide to sex with a height difference has useful tips. A pose can change contact or access, but it can't promise anyone an orgasm, whatever the caption says.

Some support helps

Many of those impressive poses become easy with a little help. The Adam & Eve Inflatable Position Pillow does some of the holding up for you, and it comes with suggestions of its own. Our sex pillow guide explains the options.

Find the bit you both want to try, make room and keep talking. If you end up in an old favourite, you've still won. For more, read about changing positions without getting tangled or our low-effort positions for tired, horny people. And put the phone down. You've got a better view right in front of you.