The Scissors: skin on skin, no rush

Instead of lying down, both sit facing each other, lean back on their hands and interlace their legs in an X until the vulvas touch.

The leg interlacing is the same, but the torsos are more upright: each partner sits and leans back on straight arms or forearms. The hips open less than lying down, you can see each other's faces, and rocking the pelvis is easier. The arms carry more of the load, so it tires the wrists sooner.

1. Sit facing each other on the bed and lean back on your hands.
2. Each of you slides one leg under the other's leg and rests the other leg on top, in an X.
3. Shuffle forwards until your vulvas meet.
4. Rock your pelvises gently and lower onto your forearms when your wrists get tired.

One partner lies on her back and the other on her side; the one on her side hooks her top leg over the other's hip so the vulvas meet.

The bodies are still in opposite directions, but only one partner lies on her side. The one on her back rests completely and can lift one knee; the one on her side passes her bottom leg under that knee and her top leg over the other's hip. It asks less of the arms than the main position and suits longer sessions.

1. One of you lies on her back, knees slightly bent.
2. The other lies on her side, facing the opposite direction, and slides her bottom leg under the raised knee.
3. She rests her top leg over her partner's hip, so your pelvises meet.
4. The one on her side leads the rocking; the one on her back can join in by lifting her hips.

Same position, with a firm pillow under one partner's hips to line up both pelvises.

Raising one pelvis a few centimetres makes up for differences in height or leg length and changes where the pressure falls on the vulva. The legs and the forearm support stay the same. It also takes some strain off the groin of the partner who is lifted.

1. Choose who needs to be higher and place a firm pillow under her hips.
2. Get into the X with your legs as in the main position.
3. Adjust the pillow until your vulvas meet without forcing your hips.
4. Try moving it a little up or down to change where the pressure falls.

One partner lies on her back with one leg raised against the other's shoulder; the other kneels upright, straddling the leg that stays on the bed.

The X of the legs stays, but one partner kneels upright and holds the raised leg against her shoulder. The kneeling partner leads the movement and can press harder; the one lying down rests and has both hands free. It asks more of the kneeling partner's knees and thighs and requires good hip flexibility from the one whose leg is raised.

1. One of you lies on her back; the other kneels between her legs.
2. The kneeling partner straddles the leg that stays on the bed and holds the other leg against her shoulder.
3. She moves forward until your vulvas meet and rocks her pelvis.
4. Lower the raised leg or put a pillow under the knees if the hip or knees complain.

Same position, with a small vibrator or a double-ended vibrator held between the two vulvas.

The legs and supports do not change; you simply leave a little space between the pelvises for the toy. The vibration reaches both partners at once and needs less pressure and movement, which can help if the hips tire. A free hand holds the toy in place.

1. Choose a small, body-safe vibrator and add a little water-based lubricant.
2. Get into the X position and leave a small gap between your pelvises.
3. One of you holds the vibrator against both vulvas with her free hand.
4. Start on a low setting and adjust it together; clean the toy after use.