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Physical effort: Low Lateral

The Southern Cross: T-shaped sex position with one leg raised

The Southern Cross is a penetrative position in which the two bodies form a T or a cross. She lies on her back, slightly turned, with one leg raised straight up and the other bent over his hip. He lies on his side at a right angle to her, his pelvis against hers, holding the ankle of her raised leg, with his own legs stretched out the other way. He sets the pace with little effort. It allows deep penetration and leaves her hands free, but there is no eye contact and she needs some flexibility in her raised leg.

Also known as: T-Square · T position

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Illustration of The Southern Cross: A T-shaped position: she lies on her back with one leg raised straight up, and he lies on his side at a right angle to her, entering from the side.
Anatomy and biomechanics

She lies on her back on the bed, torso slightly twisted. One leg goes straight up towards the ceiling; the other is bent, with the knee draped over his hip. He lies on his side, perpendicular to her, so his pelvis meets hers from the side and his torso runs alongside her raised leg; he holds her ankle with one hand and stretches his legs out away from her, knees slightly bent. He enters from the side and moves from the pelvis with short strokes. Neither partner is on top, so there is no weight on anyone, but the heads end up far apart: no eye contact or kissing, and body contact is limited to the hips and legs. Penetration can be deep. The main demand is on her hip and hamstring flexibility to keep the leg vertical.

Why this position works

It is a restful position for both: nobody carries anyone's weight, and he can move with little effort while lying down. The raised leg and the side-on angle allow deep penetration, which some people enjoy and others prefer to keep shallow. Her hands stay free, so she can stimulate her clitoris while he moves, or he can do it with his free hand. It is not a position for eye contact or kissing; it suits couples who want a change of angle and to focus on sensations.

Sensory Exploration Relaxation and Surrender Complete Rhythm Control Medium Penis-Anus Configuration Penis-Vagina Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: her raised leg resting on his shoulder

Instead of him holding her ankle, she rests the calf of her raised leg on his shoulder.

The T stays the same, but her leg leans against his shoulder instead of standing straight up in his hand. This takes some of the stretch off her hamstrings and frees both of his hands. The angle changes slightly and penetration may feel a little less deep.

  1. Get into the basic T, with his pelvis against hers.
  2. She bends her raised leg slightly and rests her calf on his shoulder.
  3. He lets go of her ankle and uses his hand to steady her hip or stimulate her clitoris.
  4. He moves with short strokes from the pelvis.

Variation 2: her raised leg bent towards her chest

She bends the raised leg and draws the knee towards her chest, and he holds it by the knee.

With the knee bent instead of the leg straight, there is hardly any hamstring stretch, so it suits people with less flexibility. Drawing the knee towards the chest tilts her pelvis and can change where the pressure is felt. He stays on his side at a right angle, as in the basic position.

  1. Start in the basic T.
  2. She bends her raised leg and brings the knee towards her chest.
  3. He holds her knee or the back of her thigh instead of her ankle.
  4. Adjust how close the knee comes to her chest until the angle feels comfortable.

Variation 3: a cushion under her hips

She places a firm cushion under her hips to raise her pelvis slightly.

Raising her hips brings her pelvis level with his and makes entry from the side easier, with less twisting of her torso. It also changes the angle of penetration slightly. The rest of the T stays the same: one leg up, the other over his hip.

  1. She lies on her back and slides a firm cushion under her hips.
  2. He lies on his side at a right angle to her and brings his pelvis to hers.
  3. She raises one leg, which he holds by the ankle, and drapes the other over his hip.
  4. Check that her lower back is comfortable; if it arches too much, use a lower cushion.

✓ Tips
  • Get the T right first: his pelvis against hers, his body at a right angle to hers, before trying to enter.
  • If keeping her leg straight up is hard on her hamstrings, she can bend the knee slightly or rest the leg against his shoulder.
  • He holds her ankle to steady the leg, without pulling it beyond what is comfortable for her.
  • Penetration can be deep: start slowly and let her say how far to go; stop if there is pain.
  • Use her free hand, or his, to stimulate the clitoris if she enjoys it.
  • Use lubricant; for anal sex, plenty of it, go slowly and use a condom. Do not switch from anus to vagina without changing the condom.
Interaction type
Vaginal or anal penetration from the side, bodies in a T
Active anatomy
Penis (and fingers on the clitoris)
Receptive anatomy
Vagina or anus; clitoris
Main stimulation
Deep vaginal or anal penetration from the side, with free hands for clitoral stimulation
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

Is the Southern Cross the same as spooning?

No. In spooning he lies behind her and both face the same way. Here the bodies form a T: she lies on her back and he lies on his side at a right angle to her.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes, in terms of effort, as both partners are lying down. The tricky part is getting the angle right and the flexibility of the raised leg; a few tries are usually needed.

What if she cannot keep her leg straight up?

She can bend the knee or rest her calf against his shoulder or chest. The position works the same with less stretch.

Can it be used for anal sex?

Yes, with plenty of lubricant and a condom, slow movements and the receiving partner deciding the depth.

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 ↗

Reviewed by the editorial team ·

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