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Physical effort: Medium Frontal

Launch Pad: face to face with her hips raised and legs together

The Launch Pad is a face-to-face position in which the receiving partner lies on her back with her hips lifted onto the thighs of the partner kneeling in front of her. She pulls her knees towards her chest, raises her legs together almost vertically and holds her ankles, while he kneels upright, holds her buttocks and sets the pace. The raised pelvis allows deep vaginal or anal penetration and they can look at each other, but it puts some load on her neck and upper back.

Also known as: Launch Platform

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Illustration of Launch Pad: She lies on her back with her hips raised on his thighs and her legs pulled up together; he kneels upright and penetrates her face to face.
Anatomy and biomechanics

The receiving partner lies on her back on the bed or floor, with her shoulders and upper back on the surface and her hips lifted and resting on the thighs of the penetrating partner. She pulls her knees towards her chest and raises both legs together almost vertically, holding her ankles with her hands, so her feet are near his chest. The penetrating partner kneels upright between her hips with his knees apart, his torso leaning slightly forward, and holds her buttocks and the backs of her thighs. He controls the rhythm and depth. With the pelvis raised and the thighs pressed against the abdomen, penetration, vaginal or anal, can be deep. They are face to face and can look at each other, but they cannot kiss.

Why this position works

Some couples like it because they can see each other's faces throughout while the penetration is deep. Lifting the pelvis changes the angle compared with the classic missionary, and some people find that intensifies sensations; for others it is too deep. She can relax and let him set the pace, and with her legs together the feeling can be tighter for both. Sensations vary from person to person.

Deep Intimacy Power Play Sensory Exploration Complete Rhythm Control Medium Penis-Anus Configuration Penis-Vagina Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: her feet resting on his chest

She lets go of her ankles and rests the soles of her feet on his chest, legs together and knees slightly bent.

She no longer works with her arms and can regulate the depth by pushing gently with her feet against his chest. Her legs drop a little from vertical, which slightly reduces the pressure on her abdomen.

  1. Get into the Launch Pad as in the base position.
  2. She lets go of her ankles and rests the soles of her feet on his chest.
  3. He keeps holding her buttocks and sets the pace.
  4. She pushes with her feet to slow him down or ask for less depth.

Variation 2: legs open in a V

Instead of keeping her legs together, she opens them upwards in a V, holding each ankle or the backs of her knees.

With her legs open, he can bring his torso closer and her pelvis is more accessible: the sensation is usually less tight, and he or she can reach the clitoris with a hand. It asks for a little more hip flexibility.

  1. Get into the Launch Pad as in the base position.
  2. She spreads her legs upwards into a V and holds her ankles or the backs of her knees.
  3. He moves a little closer, still holding her buttocks.
  4. If you like, one of you stimulates the clitoris with a hand.

Variation 3: a firm cushion under her pelvis

Her hips rest on a firm cushion or folded pillow instead of on his thighs.

The cushion supports her pelvis, so he does not carry her weight on his thighs and hands, and she rests more of her back on the surface, with less strain on her neck. The pelvis is a little lower and penetration is usually slightly less deep.

  1. She lies on her back and places a firm cushion under her lower back and buttocks.
  2. She pulls her knees to her chest and raises her legs together, holding her ankles.
  3. He kneels upright close to her buttocks and penetrates her.
  4. Adjust the height of the cushion until the angle is comfortable for both.

✓ Tips
  • Start slowly and with shallow movements: with the pelvis raised and the legs pulled up, penetration is deep and can hurt. Stop if there is pain.
  • Most of her weight rests on her shoulders and upper back: put a pillow under her head and shoulders and do not push her towards her neck.
  • He should kneel on a soft surface and keep his back upright; a cushion under his knees helps.
  • If holding her ankles tires her arms, she can rest her feet on his chest instead.
  • For anal sex, use plenty of lubricant and a condom, go slowly and never switch from anal to vaginal without changing the condom.
  • Use a condom to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
Interaction type
Face-to-face vaginal or anal penetration, with the receiving partner on her back and her pelvis rais
Active anatomy
Penis
Receptive anatomy
Vagina or anus
Main stimulation
Deep vaginal or anal penetration, face to face, with her pelvis raised on his thighs
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for beginners?

It is of medium difficulty. It is close to a missionary, but the raised pelvis and folded legs ask for some flexibility and put load on her neck. Go slowly at first.

Who controls the rhythm?

The kneeling partner, who holds her buttocks and sets the depth and pace. She can ask him to slow down or change the angle at any time.

Why can it feel very deep?

With the hips lifted and the thighs pressed to the chest, the pelvis tilts and allows deeper penetration. If it hurts, lower her hips a little or open her legs.

Can it be done anally?

Yes. Use plenty of lubricant and a condom, start very gently because the position is deep, and never go from anal to vaginal without changing the condom.

Safety and evidence 2 topics · 3 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 ↗

A-spot / AFE zone: limited evidence

The “A-spot” or AFE zone has been proposed to describe a deeper area of the anterior vaginal wall. Available evidence is limited and does not support presenting it as a confirmed anatomical structure.

Sources
Chua Chee Ann. A proposal for a radical new sex therapy technique… the AFE Zone Stimulation Technique. Sexual and Marital Therapy. 1997. Original article ↗

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