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Physical effort: Medium Adapted

Scissors on the edge of the bed: face-to-face vulva-to-vulva rubbing

Scissors on the edge of the bed is a face-to-face tribadism position for two women that uses the edge of a low bed to bring both pelvises to the same height. One partner sits right at the edge, pushes her pelvis forward and reclines on her forearms, legs open and wrapped loosely around the other's hips. The other stands between her legs, knees slightly bent, leaning forward with her hands on the bed. Both vulvas meet and rub against each other, with eye contact and room for kissing. Despite the name, the legs do not interlace as in classic scissoring.

Also known as: Tribadism on the edge of the bed

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Illustration of Scissors on the edge of the bed: Face-to-face tribadism at the edge of the bed: one partner reclines on her forearms with her pelvis pushed forward, and the other stands between her legs, press
Anatomy and biomechanics

The reclining partner sits at the very edge of a low bed and slides her buttocks forward until her pelvis is just over the edge. She leans her torso back to about 45 degrees and rests on her forearms or hands; sitting upright would leave her vulva lower than her partner's. She opens her legs, raises them and wraps them loosely around the standing partner's hips. The standing partner stands on the floor between those legs, facing her, bends her knees until both pelvises are level and leans forward with both hands on the bed on either side. From there both press their vulvas together and rub with small circular or up-and-down pelvic movements; the rhythm is shared. The standing partner carries the effort in her knees and lower back, so short breaks help.

Why this position works

Many women enjoy it because it combines direct vulva-to-vulva contact with eye contact and the chance to kiss. Both partners can move and adjust the pressure, so the rhythm is built together. For some people the rubbing of the clitoris against the partner's vulva is very pleasurable; others prefer to add a hand. The edge of the bed does part of the work, which makes it more accessible than tribadism lying down for couples with a height difference.

Deep Intimacy Sensory Exploration Maximized Clitoral Stimulation Medium Non-Penetrative Interaction Vulva-to-Vulva Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: with a cushion under the hips

A firm cushion under the reclining partner's buttocks raises her pelvis to the standing partner's height.

The only change is a firm cushion or folded blanket under the reclining partner's buttocks, right at the edge of the bed. It lifts and tilts her pelvis, so the standing partner can stay more upright, with less bending of the knees and less load on her lower back.

  1. Place a firm cushion or folded blanket at the edge of the bed.
  2. The reclining partner sits on it, slides her pelvis forward and leans back on her forearms.
  3. The standing partner checks the height: both pelvises should meet with her knees only slightly bent.
  4. Wrap the legs loosely around her hips and start rubbing with small movements.

Variation 2: lying fully back

The reclining partner lies flat on her back instead of resting on her forearms, and the standing partner leans over her.

Instead of holding herself up on her forearms, the partner on the bed lies flat on her back with her pelvis still at the edge. Her arms and neck rest, and she can hold her partner's hands or waist. The standing partner leans further forward on her hands, which brings their faces closer and makes kissing easier.

  1. The partner on the bed keeps her pelvis at the edge and lies back until her shoulders rest on the mattress.
  2. She raises her legs and wraps them loosely around the standing partner's hips.
  3. The standing partner leans forward with her hands on the bed beside her partner's shoulders.
  4. Press your vulvas together and rub slowly; switch roles if the standing partner's lower back gets tired.

Variation 3: one leg on the shoulder

The reclining partner rests one leg on the standing partner's shoulder, which turns her pelvis slightly and changes the angle of contact.

One of the reclining partner's legs stays around the standing partner's hip and the other rests straight up against her shoulder. The pelvis rotates a little to the side, so the vulvas meet at a slight angle, closer to classic scissoring. It asks for more hip flexibility from the reclining partner.

  1. Start from the basic position, with the pelvis at the edge of the bed.
  2. The reclining partner lifts one leg and rests her calf on the standing partner's shoulder.
  3. The standing partner holds that leg with one hand and keeps the other on the bed.
  4. Adjust the angle until the contact is comfortable, and lower the leg if the hip or hamstring feels strained.

✓ Tips
  • Use a low, firm bed or adjust the height with a cushion under the reclining partner's buttocks: both pelvises should meet without the standing partner having to squat deeply.
  • The reclining partner should lean back and push her pelvis forward; sitting upright, the vulvas do not line up.
  • The standing partner carries the effort in her knees and lower back: bend the knees rather than the back, and pause if they get tired.
  • A little water-based lubricant can make the rubbing more comfortable when it lasts a long time.
  • Skin-to-skin genital contact can transmit some infections (such as herpes or HPV): talk about testing, and use a barrier such as a dental dam if you need one.
  • Mistake: pressing hard from the start. Begin with light contact and increase pressure only if both of you enjoy it.
Interaction type
Face-to-face tribadism (vulva-to-vulva rubbing) at the edge of the bed
Active anatomy
Vulva and clitoris of the standing partner
Receptive anatomy
Vulva and clitoris of the reclining partner
Main stimulation
Vulva-to-vulva rubbing with clitoral stimulation
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Lesbien

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called scissors if the legs do not cross?

The name comes from a common catalogue label. What it describes is face-to-face vulva-to-vulva rubbing at the edge of the bed; the legs of the reclining partner wrap around the standing partner's hips instead of interlacing.

What if the heights do not match?

Put a cushion or folded blanket under the reclining partner's buttocks, or have the standing partner bend her knees more. The goal is for both pelvises to meet without strain.

Do we need lubricant?

It is not essential, but a little water-based lubricant can reduce chafing if the rubbing lasts a long time.

Is it tiring?

Moderately, mainly for the standing partner's knees and lower back. Switching roles from time to time spreads the effort.

Reviewed by the editorial team ·

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