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Physical effort: Low Control

Watering can: woman on top, lying chest to chest

The watering can is a woman-on-top position in which the receiving partner lies stretched out on top of the penetrating partner, chest to chest. He lies on his back; she straddles his hips with her knees resting on the bed on either side of him and her forearms beside his head. You can look at each other and kiss throughout, and the pubic bones stay close together. It requires little effort, and the rhythm is shared.

Also known as: Lying cowgirl · Shower position

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Illustration of Watering can: A woman-on-top position lying chest to chest: she lies stretched out on top of him, straddling his hips with her knees on the bed, while he holds her in a hug.
Anatomy and biomechanics

He lies on his back on the bed, legs stretched out and slightly bent at the knees. She lies on top of him, chest against chest, straddling his hips: her knees are bent and resting on the mattress on either side of his body, and her forearms rest beside his head. He wraps his arms around her, one hand on her upper back and the other on her hip or buttock, to accompany the movement. Penetration is vaginal and the movements are short: she rocks her pelvis and he pushes gently from below. With her lying on top, the angle limits depth, and her pubis rubs against his, which can stimulate the clitoris. Part of her weight rests on him.

Why this position works

Many couples like it for the closeness: full body contact, a hug, eye contact and kissing. Because the pubic bones stay together, some women notice clitoral friction with each movement, which can make orgasm easier for them, although this varies from one body to another. It is restful for both and allows a slow, shared rhythm.

Deep Intimacy Relaxation and Surrender Easy Maximized Clitoral Stimulation Penis-Vagina Configuration

Variations of this position

Variation 1: Her Legs Stretched Out

Once penetration has begun, she stretches her legs back along his, between or outside them, and lies fully on top of him.

Her knees leave the bed and her legs stay straight and together along his. The vaginal entrance tightens and the movement becomes a short slide of the whole body, with more pubic contact. More of her weight rests on him, so she supports herself on her forearms.

  1. Start in the basic position, with her knees on the bed.
  2. Once penetration has begun, she stretches one leg back and then the other.
  3. She keeps her legs together, between or outside his.
  4. She supports herself on her forearms and slides her whole body forward and back with short movements.

Variation 2: Raised on Her Hands

She straightens her arms and places her hands on the bed beside his shoulders, lifting her chest off his.

Her chest separates from his and her pelvis gains room to move up and down, so penetration can be a little deeper and she takes more control of the rhythm. Pubic contact and the hug decrease, and her wrists and shoulders work more. You can still look at each other.

  1. Start in the basic position.
  2. She places her hands on the bed beside his shoulders and straightens her arms.
  3. Keeping her knees on the bed, she moves her pelvis up and down with control.
  4. She can lower herself back onto her forearms whenever she wants to rest.

Variation 3: His Knees Bent

He bends his knees and places his feet flat on the bed, so he can push from below while she stays lying on top of him.

With his feet on the bed, he gains a support from which to move his pelvis, and he takes more of the rhythm. His raised thighs are behind her and give her something to lean back against. She stays chest to chest and relaxes more, letting him lead.

  1. Start in the basic position.
  2. He bends his knees and places his feet flat on the bed, hip-width apart.
  3. He holds her hips and moves his pelvis up with short, gentle thrusts.
  4. She stays lying on him and can lean back slightly against his thighs.

Variation 4: Grinding Instead of Thrusting

Instead of moving up and down, she keeps her pubis pressed against his and rocks her pelvis back and forth or in small circles.

Penetration stays shallow and almost constant, and the movement becomes a slow grind. Pubic contact is maximal, so clitoral friction tends to increase, which some women find helps them reach orgasm. He barely moves and simply accompanies her with his hands on her hips.

  1. Start in the basic position, with your bodies close together.
  2. She presses her pubis against his and stops moving up and down.
  3. She rocks her pelvis slowly back and forth, or in small circles.
  4. He accompanies the movement with his hands on her hips without pushing.

Variation 5: Cushion Under His Hips

A firm cushion under his buttocks raises his pelvis a few centimetres while she stays lying on top.

Raising his pelvis changes the angle of penetration and brings the pubic bones even closer together. She has to bend her knees a little less to stay straddling him. It can make the position more comfortable when there is a big difference in height or when the penis tends to slip out.

  1. He lies on his back and places a firm cushion under his buttocks.
  2. She lies on top of him, chest to chest, straddling his hips with her knees on the bed.
  3. Adjust the height of the cushion until the angle feels comfortable for both of you.
  4. Move with short rocking movements, as in the basic position.

✓ Tips

  • Rest part of your weight on your knees and forearms so you do not crush your partner's chest.
  • Use short rocking movements: if the penis slips out and you come down on it at an angle, it can bend and be injured.
  • Keep your pubic bones in contact and rock back and forth rather than up and down if you are looking for clitoral friction.
  • Use lubricant if needed, and a condom to reduce the risk of STIs and pregnancy.
  • Stop if there is pain and adjust the angle.

Key facts

Interaction type
Vaginal penetration with her on top, lying chest to chest
Active anatomy
Penis
Receptive anatomy
Vagina and clitoris (through pubic friction)
Main stimulation
Vaginal penetration with clitoral friction against the partner's pubis
Setups and participants
Couple · 2 people Hetero

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes. It requires little effort and balance, and the slow rhythm makes it easy to communicate and adjust.

Does it stimulate the clitoris?

With the bodies together, her pubis rubs against his, and many women notice it, but not all. Rocking the pelvis back and forth tends to increase the friction.

Is penetration deep?

Not very: with her lying on top, the angle limits depth. If you want more, she can raise her torso onto her hands (variation 2).

Is it tiring for the person underneath?

Not much, but part of her weight rests on him. She can take some of it on her knees and forearms.

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 ↗

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