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Physical effort: High Standing

Dolphin: standing from behind, on one leg with the other around the waist

The Dolphin is a standing position from behind with an athletic twist: the receiving partner bends her torso forward until it is almost horizontal, stands on one leg and lifts the other backwards, hooking it around her partner's waist. He stands upright behind her, holds her hips and sets the pace. It asks for strength, balance and good coordination, so it is better suited to couples with some experience who want an intense, energetic position.

Also known as: Dolphin position · Standing doggy on one leg

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Illustration of Dolphin: A standing position from behind: she bends forward on one leg and hooks the other around his waist while he penetrates her from behind.
Anatomy and biomechanics

Both partners stand. The penetrating partner stands upright behind the receiving partner, feet on the floor, hands on her hips or buttocks. She stands on one straight leg and bends her torso forward until it is almost horizontal, facing away from him. Her other leg rises backwards, bent at the knee, and hooks around his waist, which opens her hips. One of her hands rests on her own thigh or knee for balance. Vaginal penetration is from behind and can be deep, and he controls the rhythm. There is no eye contact or kissing; body contact is limited to the pelvis, the raised leg and his hands on her hips.

Why this position works

Some couples enjoy the physical challenge and the feeling of a dynamic, energetic position. With the hips open and the torso forward, penetration can be deep, and some people find the angle presses pleasantly on the front wall of the vagina. The leg hooked around his waist gives a sense of closeness despite the lack of eye contact. Sensations vary from person to person, and it is more about intensity than comfort.

Vigor and Energy Sensory Exploration Complete Rhythm Control Difficult High Mobility Required Penis-Vagina Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: with her hands on the bed or a table

She rests her hands on the edge of the bed, a sturdy table or the back of a sofa, keeping her leg hooked around his waist.

Supporting herself on her hands spreads the weight between the standing leg and the arms, which makes balance much easier and relieves the lower back. The torso angle and the angle of penetration barely change. It is the best way to start.

  1. She stands in front of a sturdy piece of furniture at hip height.
  2. She bends her torso forward and rests both hands on it.
  3. She lifts one leg backwards and hooks it around his waist as he stands behind her.
  4. He holds her hips and starts with slow movements.

Variation 2: he holds her raised leg

Instead of her keeping the leg hooked, he supports it with one hand under her thigh.

She no longer has to grip with the raised leg and her hip relaxes, while he can open or close the angle of the leg a little to vary the sensation. In exchange, he only has one hand on her hip, so it helps if she has a support nearby.

  1. Start in the base position, with her on one leg and bent forward.
  2. He slides one hand under the thigh of her raised leg and holds it.
  3. With the other hand he holds her hip.
  4. Move slowly and try raising or lowering the leg a little.

Variation 3: torso more upright, forearms on the wall

She leans forward less and rests her forearms on a wall, with her leg still hooked around his waist.

With the torso more upright, her hip bends less and penetration is usually shallower. The wall gives firm support and relieves the back, and he can bring his chest closer to her back for broader contact.

  1. She stands one step away from a wall, facing it.
  2. She leans forward slightly and rests her forearms on the wall.
  3. She lifts one leg backwards and hooks it around his waist.
  4. Standing behind her, he holds her hips and moves at a gentle pace.

✓ Tips
  • Choose a firm, non-slip floor and keep a stable piece of furniture or a wall within reach; stop as soon as either of you feels unsteady.
  • He holds her hips firmly to help her keep her balance on one leg.
  • Start with shallow, slow movements: the depth can be uncomfortable and an off-angle thrust can bend the penis painfully.
  • Lower the raised leg and rest when the supporting leg or the lower back gets tired.
  • Use lubricant if needed and a condom for protection against STIs.
  • Stop if there is pain in the lower back, hips or penis.
Interaction type
Standing vaginal penetration from behind, with her on one leg
Active anatomy
Penis
Receptive anatomy
Vagina
Main stimulation
Deep vaginal penetration from behind, standing, with possible pressure on the front wall of the vagi
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for beginners?

Not really: balancing on one leg while bending forward takes strength and coordination. Start with the version where she rests her hands on a bed or a table (variation 1).

What can we do if she loses balance?

Stop, put both feet on the floor and look for support: a wall, a sturdy table or the edge of the bed. He should hold her hips firmly from the start.

What if penetration is too deep?

He can shorten his thrusts and she can bend her torso a little less. Going slowly and communicating is key.

Safety and evidence 1 topic · 2 clinical and academic references

Scientific context for common terms used on this page. Keeping these terms makes the content easier to understand; the sources clarify what is established and what remains uncertain.

G-spot: what the evidence says

“G-spot” is a widely used term for a sensitive area of the anterior vaginal wall. Scientific literature has not established a discrete anatomical structure with an agreed location, size and nature; sensitivity and response can vary between individuals.

Sources
O'Connell HE, Sanjeevan KV, Hutson JM. Anatomy of the clitoris. The Journal of Urology. 2005. PubMed ↗
Vieira-Baptista P, et al. G-spot: Fact or Fiction? A Systematic Review. Sexual Medicine. 2021. PubMed ↗

Reviewed by the editorial team ·

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