Piledriver Sex Position: An Illustrated Guide to Pulling It Off

If you consider sex an Olympic event, then you might want to try this acrobatic move.

IF YOU consider sex an Olympic event, then you might want to try a sex position inspired by heavy-duty tool: the Piledriver. An actual pile driver is a large piece of equipment that drills deep down into soil, so you can probably gather that the Piledriver position helps the giver, well, drill deep down into their partner.

Of course, operating heavy machinery requires safety training and practice, even when that "machinery" is just your own anatomy. If you and your partner are ready to attempt the Piledriver, here's everything you need to know.

If you’ve encountered the Piledriver in porn, you’ve probably wondered, "How the heck do people bend like that?!" That's exactly the feeling the Piledriver is meant to elicit. While this position might be gratifying for yogis, gym rats, and those who prefer deep penetration, overall, it's less about physical pleasure and more about the visual effect.

In its classic form, the receiver lies on the floor with their legs up and over their head, lifting their lower back off the ground. The giver then faces the receiver, squats over them while leaning forward, and thrusts into the receiver's vagina or anus with their penis or a strap-on dildo. Sometimes the giver holds the receiver's legs in place, and sometimes the receiver supports their own back with their hands. It looks like this:

Be prepared to see each other from new angles.

Getting into the Piledriver sex position isn't possible or safe for everyone. Before busting out this move in the bedroom, make sure this is a position the receiver can comfortably sustain—and if you’re the giver, maybe don't skip leg day leading up to your first attempt. "You both want to make sure that your body is capable of doing the position without it interrupting your sexual experience," sexologist Marla Renee Stewart says.

If the receiver is willing to get folded in half on the floor, there must be something about the Piledriver that feels good, right? Well, if they like deep thrusting, the mechanics of the Piledriver work in their favor. "It's a unique position that can make penetration deeper and more deliberate," explains sex therapist Aliyah Moore, Ph.D.

"Deeper" isn't necessarily "better" when it comes to vaginal or anal penetration. The most well-known internal pleasure centers—the G-spot and the prostate—are located just a couple of inches inside the body. However, deep vaginal penetration allows the giver to stimulate the A-spot, an erogenous zone between the bladder and cervix at the "back" of the vagina, as well as the cervix itself, which some vulva-owners really enjoy.

Of course, there are factors beyond physical pleasure that make the Piledriver appealing. "Some people are turned on by how difficult and athletic the position is," Moore says. "Others love the power dynamic—the receiver is totally exposed, and the giver has to hold one or both of their legs down to keep them in position."

If you and your partner manage to get into this position, you might find it's not quite as fun as it seems. "The same things that people like about the position are essentially the same things that people don't like about this position," Stewart explains. If you and your partner aren't up for a physical challenge or if the receiver doesn't want a deep pounding, then the Piledriver probably won't be pleasurable for either of you. Plus, it comes with some serious risks.

If the receiver has back pain, neck pain, or a history of spinal injuries and if the giver has unstable knees, lower back pain, or weak quads, you should probably take the Piledriver off your wishlist.

"If the giver loses balance and shifts all their weight to the receiver, it can cause serious injury to the receiver's back or neck," Moore says. "The giver may spend a lot of time with their knees bent, which can cause muscle or joint pain." And if vaginal penetration is involved, there's also a risk of cervical bruising for the receiver.

In this version of the Piledriver, the receiver lies on the floor beside a bed, using the bed to support their lower back. The giver sits at the edge of the bed, so they have something to support their body weight while thrusting. This prevents the receiver from over-stretching their back, and offers the giver a place to sit if they get tired or start to fall.

To get into the Standing Ovation position, the receiver lies at the edge of a bed. The giver stands facing the receiver at the end of the bed and holds the receiver's legs up at a 90 degree angle while penetrating them. "This allows the giver to hit similar penetration angles, but it's easier to accomplish [than the Piledriver]," Moore says. Plus, having the receiver lie on a bed instead of on the floor reduces their risk of head and neck injuries.

The Launch Pad is similar to the Standing Ovation, but it allows both partners to be on the same surface—ideally, on a mattress (give those skulls and knees some cushion!). The receiver lies on their back while the giver kneels in front of them, lifting the receiver's hips off the ground. The receiver bends their knees and puts their feet against their partner's chest (or over their partner's shoulders, if that's more comfortable) while the giver penetrates them.

"Both of these positions are easier to do, but they build flexibility that can eventually help you accomplish the Piledriver, or at least achieve similar stimulation," Moore says.

"If someone likes deep penetration and a challenge, they can try doing a Wheelbarrow position," Stewart suggests. The Wheelbarrow relies on the upper body strength of both the giver and the receiver, so it's definitely dangerous, but it doesn't require as much flexibility as the Piledriver. To get into this position, the receiver faces away from the giver and puts their hands on the ground. The giver stands behind them, lifts the receiver's hips, and penetrates them. This can also be done with the giver on their knees.

The Piledriver and its variations aren't for everyone. Whether or not you and your partner are sexual acrobats, remember that sex is supposed to be fun (and pleasurable! And comfortable!) for everyone involved. It doesn't have to look like a pervy Crossfit workout. Focus on what feels good, and if the Piledriver doesn't fit the bill, you’ll find another position that’ll please everyone's parts.

Ro White is a Chicago-based writer, sex educator, and Autostraddle's Sex & Dating Editor.

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