Top 20 BDSM & Bondage Positions
BDSM Positions: From Basic to Advanced
Find yourself drawn to the allure of bondage and BDSM? You’re not alone! A 2015 research study by Indiana University showed that 20% of adults in America indulge in filthy bondage scenes. There are definitely more than just a few ways to keep someone bound and restrained, and BDSM is the perfect way to explore your creativity and imagination.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we put together a list of our top 20 favorite positions we use in BDSM scenes (with diagrams) for anyone, from beginners to advanced players.
What are BDSM positions? Why are they important?
If you’re not even totally sure what a BDSM position is, let’s break it down. BDSM positions, sometimes called bondage sex positions, are standard positions used in bondage, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism scenes that heighten vulnerability, control, and physical sensations. They can range from simple positions like hogties or spread eagle to more complex and extreme setups involving suspension, mummification, or complex rope bondage.
BDSM positions are important because they shape the physical and psychological dynamics of a scene, allowing a Dominant to exert control, a submissive to surrender, and both partners to explore sensations. Of course, as with anything in BDSM, safety is crucial. Positions should never cut off breathing or circulation, and while it is the submissive’s responsibility to let the Dom know if they’re experiencing numbness, tingling, or distress in any way, Doms are equally responsible for paying attention to indicators of these as well as regularly checking in. Communication, trust, and consent are the foundation of any play, and safety tools like bondage shears, safewords, and check-ins are essential. Learn more about BDSM safety in our quick guide!
When used correctly, exploring BDSM positions can deepen intimacy, enhance power exchange dynamics, and open the doors for unforgettable discoveries and experiences.
The Best BDSM & Bondage Positions (and how to use them)
Hand-selected by our staff at Bondesque, this list is broken down into 3 categories:
Specialty & Advanced Positions
Basic Positions
These positions are great for beginners to bondage and BDSM restraints, but they’re a staple for anyone regardless of experience! I mean, who doesn’t love the classic hogtie? Keep reading for our favorite essential positions.
Wrist-to-Ankle
Just like the name suggests, the classic wrist-to-ankle tie immobilizes a submissive by bounding their wrists closely to the ankles. Wrists can be restrained in front or behind the ankles. Some prefer to use wrist and ankle cuffs with a connector while others use rope.
There’s plenty of ways to use this position as-is or to build onto it. If you want to keep the inner thighs accessible, you can just stop at restraining the wrists independently to each ankle to allow for more movement.
Looking for more immobilization? Consider using thigh cuffs or a bondage belt to keep those legs closed, keeping the sub in a curled position. Take it up a notch and add in some more bondage gear, like a mouth gag and a blindfold to start.
Hogtie
Hogties also restrain the wrists to the ankles but with more flair by keeping the sub’s legs raised behind them. Most commonly, the sub lies on their stomach with their wrists restrained to their ankles with a connector, chain, or rope to put more distance between them. This gap allows the weight and angle of their legs and arms to determine how the position stretches them. To limit the sub’s ability to lie fully on their chest, bind the forearms to the ankles instead of the wrists and/or shorten the length of what’s connecting them.
These versions require some flexibility, so if lying on the stomach is too difficult, an easy modification is lying on the back instead while restraining the wrists and ankles above in the air, allowing the sub to lower their arms and legs as they need.
If you’re not ready to commit to purchasing all the gear individually, hogtie sets are an affordable starter option.
Spread Eagle
Another well-known position, the spread eagle keeps much of the body exposed by restraining each wrist and ankle to their own restraint point set widely apart. It’s common to use bed frames to achieve this position, and under-the-bed restraint kits are a popular and affordable option.
It doesn’t take much imagination to think of how to have fun with someone fairly exposed! There’s plenty of gear that pairs well with this position, like classic gear that limits the senses such as blindfolds and mouth gags. But you don’t have to leave it at that – this is the perfect position to use with a variety of torturous gear! Keep subs wondering what’s coming next with things like feather ticklers, Wartenberg wheels, neon wands that deliver electric shocks, crops, and wand vibrators.
Chair or Furniture Tie
The chair/furniture tie turns your household furniture into gear for your next dirty BDSM scene. This simple position involves restraining the sub’s wrists and ankles to a piece of furniture of your choice. Chairs are popular, with the wrists bound to the arms and the ankles to the legs using bondage tage, rope, or even saran wrap! This position is versatile by leaving you room to decide how wide apart you want the legs to be and how much of the chest is exposed, depending on how the sub is positioned. If you’re interested in adding in some S&M, this position pairs well with nipple clamps and paddles for upper thigh spanking. Dining room chairs and benches have never been more fun.
Frog Tie
Keep a sub on their knees but exposed with the frog tie. This tie involves keeping the legs bent and completely restricted by restraining the ankles to the thighs and wrists or forearms behind the back. A big highlight of this position is how it keeps the sub exposed and vulnerable for teasing and torture! Thigh cuffs paired with ankle cuffs and a short connector are the quick and dirty way to achieve this position, but rope ties are another option if you’re familiar with basic knots.
Spreader Bar Positions
The spreader bar is considered a bondage essential, and there’s plenty of ways to use it. Bars that include more than 2 connection points and a way to adjust the length allow for more versatility, like clipping in wrist and ankle cuffs across the entire length of the bar and adjusting the length to accommodate different levels of flexibility.
One of the appealing features of the spreader bar is how quickly and easily someone can be restrained and forced into a vulnerable position. The most popular way to use a bar is to keep the legs apart by clipping in ankle cuffs at each end, but there’s plenty of ways to add onto that. As seen in the diagram, a spreader bar can force more flexible submissives on all fours, keeping the rear and everything in between fully available. For less flexible subs, try lying on the back instead.
Intermediate Positions
If you have some experience under your belt already, explore these moderate BDSM positions! You may have heard of a few of them already, but have you tried them all? If not, there’s no better time than the present!
Over-the-Knee (OTK)
Time to get into some S&M! This well-loved position is simple but fun for everyone involved. The OTK involves draping the sub over the Dom’s lap, ass up (of course). But the sub cannot be left unrestrained – use your favorite set of cuffs or rope to bind their wrists and ankles together to leave them far more vulnerable while lying in wait for what’s to come. And you might’ve guessed it – this position is perfect spanking and is frequently used for discipline. Keep it spicy by switching up spanking sensations from thuddy to stingy with different gear. Bare hands are always fun, but don’t be afraid to explore other options like fur mittens and paddles made of leather, silicone, or vegan leather. Learn more about spanking and impact play in our Impact Play 101 Guide!
Standing Spread Eagle
In the standing spread eagle position, the sub’s wrists and ankles are restrained while standing and hooked up to a St. Andrew’s Cross or suspension bars. This position gives the Dominant unobstructed access to the front and/or back for numerous forms of play, flogging being one of the most popular. Temperature play, nipple play, and sensory deprivation with blindfolds add excitement and take the scene to new heights.
Face-down Spread Eagle
Similar to the classic Spread Eagle position we mentioned in the Basic Positions section, this position has the sub lying on a bed but this time on their stomach. What takes this position up a notch is how it adds more discomfort for the sub. Because they are face-down, they may have to experiment with how they tense their body or position their head to breathe, adding in some humiliation into the mix of the experience. And, of course, their completely exposed backside makes for a great impact and/or torture scene.
Suspension (partial or full)
Suspension positions elevate some or all of the body, and they can range in complexity. Suspension cuffs and rope are the most popular restraints used with suspension rings or spreader bars and anchor points open the doors for plenty of exploratory play. Suspension cuffs make it quick and easy to get someone off the ground, while using rope suspension techniques requires research, practice, and patience – read more about some of the basic suspension rope ties in the upcoming section. Regardless of whether you’re using cuffs or rope, suspension definitely takes bondage play up a notch and comes with more risk. If you’re using rope, always have a pair of safety shears handy. Check out our favorite rope bondage book filled with plenty of step-by-step instructions on a huge variety of knots, Foundations of Rope Bondage by TheDuchy.
Kneeling or Presenting
The kneeling or presenting position is an honorific BDSM position that expresses complete submission to a Dominant. Typically, the submissive’s thighs are bound together and arms restrained behind their back while wearing a collar that is clipped to their thigh cuffs with a chain connector, forcing them to their knees with their back elongated, head forward, and body angled toward the ground. Just as the name suggests, this position keeps the submissive in a perpetual state of presentation to their Dominant. There’s plenty of ways you can go from this position. The sub is within perfect reach for worshipping the ground their Dom stands on or their shoes/feet. Or, if the submissive is in need of a strong reminder of their place in the dynamic, their rear is elevated just right for a good spanking.
Specialty and Advanced Positions
These BDSM positions range from positions specific to certain kinks and advanced positions for well-experienced players ready to take on riskier or more complex techniques.
Yoke or Stocks Restraint
You probably recognize this one! Maybe you’ve seen helpless prisoners locked up in a yoke or stock restraint awaiting their punishment in a movie or show set in medieval times. Also known as the secretary or stockade restraint, yokes and stocks render the submissive useless and exposed. These restraints are commonly made of stainless steel or wood and force the hands/wrists upright in line with the neck. Some restraints keep the arms raised at shoulder height and the neck straightened while others are set on a stand, forcing the wearer to bend over. This position takes time to work your way up to this one as it requires some flexibility and can be uncomfortable – true pain sluts will appreciate this one.
Pet Play Position
While there are plenty of pet play positions, did you know there are restraints that force the pet to stay in one of them? The most classic pet play position finds the pet on the floor on their hands and knees, awaiting orders, pets, or praise from their Dom (who is also known as the Handler, Trainer, or Owner, depending on the dynamic). Use this position to keep mischievous or playful pets still and obedient by using rope ties or thigh and ankle cuffs to restrain the legs to a kneeling position and, of course, clip a leash to the sub’s collar to remind them of their role as a beloved pet. Wearing other accessories is encouraged – like tails, fluffy cat ears, pup hoods, or a bit gag – but the options are definitely not limited to these!
A more advanced restraining position keeps the pet on their elbows and knees by restraining the upper arms to the wrists and the thighs to the ankles. Because this position places pressure on the joints, it’s important to place elbow and knee pads beneath them. Now that they’re down there, feed them with their bowls of food and water or use the opportunity to dish out a good spanking.
Rope Bondage
With hundreds of rope ties out there to learn, the position possibilities seem endless, so we put together a list of some of our favorite classic ties. They vary in difficulty for both the Dom and sub as some involve complex knots and a few positions require flexibility. Before you try these out, be sure you have at least 30’ of good quality rope on hand, preferably made with a natural material such as hemp or jute. For some hands-on learning experience, attend our rope bondage workshops taught by professional riggers!
Bikini or Shinju Chest Harnesses
There are plenty of rope chest harnesses, the most popular being the Bikini and Shinju harnesses. Chest harnesses frame the torso and breasts quite nicely, making them popular accessories. Both of these harnesses are also buildable, serving as an easy connecting point for wrist and arm ties. Our diagram is of the Bikini Chest Harness, which cannot be used for suspension, while the Shinju Chest Harness can be used as the foundational upper-body attachment for suspension.
Drum Hip Harness
Another commonly-used harness for suspension, the Drum Harness is a foundational tie that can be used as a connection point for the lower body in suspension. It is a pretty versatile harness that can also be worn on its own or used as an attachment point for other non-suspension restraints.
Crotch Rope or Matanawa Harness
Crotch harnesses emphasize the pelvis by wrapping around the hips and running between the legs to add more teasing sensations during play. This harness is frequently connected to other harnesses, such as hip and chest harnesses, restricting the wearer and adding more pressure between the legs.
Ball Tie
Just as the name implies, ball ties are designed to force the sub’s chest close to their legs to resemble a ball. There are plenty of variations, with some versions requiring the sub to sit with their chest pressed against their criss-crossed legs. Others bind the sub’s legs so their knees are against their chest in a fetal position. Many variations also restrain their arms behind their back. The ball tie is considered advanced, as it’s more complex to tie and requires more flexibility.
Crab Tie
In the crab tie, the sub’s arms and legs are bound together in a bent, folded posture that resembles the shape of a crab. The wrists and ankles are secured closely to the body – sometimes behind the back, sometimes in front – so the body curls tightly while leaving the legs open and vulnerable for plenty of types of play and torture. In and of itself, this position is great for floor play but can also be modified for suspension. Like plenty of other rope bondage restraints, this tie plays nicely with other ties (like chest harnesses) to add more layers of restriction.
Box Tie
Many of the other positions we’ve mentioned in this blog include restraining someone’s arms behind their back, and the box tie is a great option for those interested in using rope. You may have already guessed it, but this tie can be done in many ways, but most variations restrain the sub’s arms behind their back with elbows bent and forearms bound together. Box ties can range from single column and row ties (as shown in the diagram above) to more complex patterns with multiple cross sections. If you’re still new to rope bondage, start off with simpler versions and work your way up.
Mummification
Many of the other positions we’ve shared in this blog severely restrict movement, but none of them do it quite like the mummification position does! The sub is enclosed completely in things like plastic wrap, bondage tape, latex bodybags, or sleepsacks made of leather, neoprene, or canvas. For those looking for complete sensory deprivation, throw a bondage hood on your mummified sub too. Many find mummification comforting and an easy way to slip into subspace, but this is of course dependent on what you’re planning on doing while the sub’s in there!
Ready to be bound?
As players ourselves, we highly encourage everyone to branch out and explore new positions – adding a variety of BDSM and bondage positions to your play can layer in so much more to a scene. Trying new positions deepens the connection between partners and strengthens communication skills, which is an essential part of bondage and BDSM! As you explore, take the opportunity to find new ways to use gear you already have and add some new things to your collection. Developing the willingness to be curious and explore sets you up for a lifetime filled with new adventures!
