Face-to-Face and On-Top Sex Positions: Lotus, Amazon, CEO, Triceratops, Monkey, Bear Hug and Captain Explained
What the lotus, amazon, captain, bear hug, monkey, CEO and triceratops sex positions mean, where definitions conflict, who each suits, and comfort tips.
General education, not medical advice. If something here worries you, talk with a clinician.
Table of Contents
Face-to-face and on-top sex positions are the ones where partners can see each other, or where one partner sits or kneels above the other. Lotus, amazon, captain and bear hug fit that description in most guides. Monkey sometimes does. CEO and triceratops usually do not, because the guides that define them describe standing positions with one partner behind the other.
That mismatch is worth knowing before you read on. These names come from magazines, sex-toy shops and social media, not from any medical list. Where sites disagree, this guide says so instead of picking a winner.
Each position below gets a plain description of who is where and what supports the body. You will also find who it tends to suit, where it strains, and how to agree on trying something new.
Lotus, amazon and captain: the face-to-face classics
What is the lotus sex position?
The lotus is a seated, face-to-face position. One partner sits on the bed or floor with legs crossed or drawn in, and the other sits on their lap facing them, legs wrapped around their waist. Crossing the legs is optional. Drawing them in as far as is comfortable works too, and the top partner should rest on the seated partner’s thighs rather than their feet.
Movement stays small. Partners rock together instead of thrusting, which is why guides link the lotus to tantric sex, a slower and more mindful style. Cosmopolitan India also calls it yab-yum and traces the name to the cross-legged yoga pose.
The lotus suits couples who want closeness, eye contact and an unhurried pace. The catch is flexibility: both partners need loose hips, and the seated partner carries the other’s weight. Sitting on a chair or couch gives the lower partner back support. The top partner can also lean back on their hands to ease the hold.
What is the amazon sex position?
The amazon reverses the usual missionary roles. In WebMD’s description, the partner with the penis lies on their back with knees bent and drawn toward the chest, and the other partner straddles them between those raised legs. A sex therapist’s version keeps the lower partner’s legs bent but less folded, with the top partner upright and facing them. Both accounts agree that the top partner sets the pace and depth.
WebMD lists two variations. In the kneeling amazon, the top partner kneels instead of squatting, which takes pressure off the legs. In the reverse amazon, the top partner turns to face away.
This one suits couples curious about role reversal, especially when the receiving partner wants more control. It is an athletic position, so both partners need some strength and flexibility. The squat can hurt the top partner’s knees. The folded posture can also strain the penis and the suspensory ligament, a band of elastic tissue that holds it near the pubic bone. Leaning forward eases that pull. Pillows under the lower partner’s back or the top partner’s knees add support.
What is the captain sex position?
Here the sources split. Cosmopolitan describes the captain as a lying position with the receiving partner on their back, legs raised in a V. The other partner kneels between them and holds their ankles. That makes it face to face, though nobody is on top.
A leather-goods retailer uses the same name for something different. Its captain is a standing or half-standing position with one partner’s foot raised on a chair or bed, borrowed from the Captain Morgan pose. Neither definition is official, so ask which one a partner means.
This guide uses the lying version in the comparison table below, since it fits the face-to-face theme. It suits couples who want eye contact with little effort for the person lying down. The kneeling partner does most of the work, and holding the ankles for a long time can strain the wrists or shoulders. A short break or a switch to another position solves that.
Names with several meanings: hugs, holds and carries
What is the bear hug sex position?
Every version of the bear hug shares one idea: a tight, chest-to-chest embrace with arms, and often legs, wrapped around each other. The details depend on who you ask. The couples app Couplet admits that three sources will give you three slightly different setups.
The most common setup uses the edge of a bed or a sturdy sofa. One partner sits on the edge, and the other stands or kneels between their legs, close enough for their chests to touch. The seated partner then wraps their legs around the other’s waist. Some people use the name for lying on your sides facing each other, and others for a seated version close to the lotus. A sex-toy retailer, Tantaly, describes it as fully standing and face to face.
The bear hug suits almost anyone who wants closeness more than athletics. The bed-edge and side-lying versions need no balancing and no lifting. If the bed is low, a cushion under the kneeling partner’s knees helps. Standing is harder. Both partners hold their own weight the whole time, so it asks more of legs and balance, and a big height difference makes the embrace awkward.
What is the monkey sex position?
Of the seven names here, monkey has the least settled meaning. One retailer describes a lying position: the receiving partner lies on their back with both knees drawn toward the chest, and the other partner kneels close above them. It calls that version beginner-friendly.
An illustrated position site means something else entirely. In its monkey, one partner stands while the other climbs on from the side, one arm around the neck and legs around the waist. It rates that carry as advanced, because the standing partner holds the other’s full weight off-center. Spider monkey and crazy monkey are separate setups again.
So if a partner suggests the monkey, ask which one they mean. The lying version suits couples who want a closer take on missionary. The carried version suits only partners with the strength to hold it safely. A lighter option keeps one foot on the floor, and a wall within reach makes it easier to reset.
CEO and triceratops: names that usually mean standing positions
These two names often turn up in lists of intimate or on-top positions. Yet the guides that define them put one partner behind the other, so neither is face to face.
What is the CEO sex position?
The one detailed description of the CEO found for this guide comes from a retailer blog, and it treats the name loosely. It describes a standing position in which one partner stands behind and sets the pace. The other partner leans forward and braces on a desk, chair or wall. The name points to a role, a partner in charge, more than to one fixed body layout.
The same guide lists three limits. Balance can be tricky without a stable surface, a big height gap affects comfort, and standing gets tiring, so it suits short sessions. The CEO suits couples who enjoy a playful power dynamic and have agreed on it beforehand. If either partner is unsure about role-play, a plain conversation comes first.
What is the triceratops sex position?
Men’s Health gives the most detailed account, drawing on three sex therapists. Both partners stand, and the receiving partner faces away and bends forward with a flat back to about a 90-degree angle. The other partner stands behind them. This was the only detailed definition found for this guide, so treat the name as informal.
As with any standing position, both partners need some strength and flexibility, though no one is lifted off the ground. The standing partner may steady the other by the arms or shoulders, but Men’s Health notes that some people have weak wrists or dislike being held there. It suits partners of similar height with steady legs, and a bed or table edge nearby gives the forward partner something to rest on.
Side-by-side: effort, flexibility and who each position suits
Most single-position guides never line the options up against each other. The table below does, using the definitions cited in the sections above. The effort and flexibility ratings are a rough guide drawn from those descriptions, not measured data.
| Position | Body layout | Effort | Flexibility needed | May suit | Main watch-point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus | Seated, face to face, one partner on the other’s lap | Low to moderate | High, mainly in the hips | Couples who want slow, close sex | Seated partner carries the weight |
| Amazon | Lower partner on back, knees drawn up; top partner squats or kneels | High for the top partner | Moderate to high | A receiving partner who wants control | Knees, and strain on the penis’s ligament |
| Captain (lying) | Receiver on back, legs in a V; partner kneels between them | Low for receiver, moderate for kneeler | Moderate, for the raised legs | Couples who want eye contact | Kneeling partner’s wrists and shoulders |
| Bear hug | Chest-to-chest embrace at a bed edge, lying, seated or standing | Low in lying and bed-edge versions | Low | Couples who want closeness over athletics | Height match in the standing version |
| Monkey | Lying with knees to chest, or a standing carry | Low lying; high carried | Moderate | Depends on the version | Full body weight on one partner when carried |
| CEO | Standing, one partner behind, the other leaning forward and braced | Moderate | Low to moderate | Couples into agreed role-play | Balance, height gap and fatigue |
| Triceratops | Standing, receiver bent forward to about 90 degrees | Moderate | Moderate | Partners of similar height | Balance and wrist comfort |
A few patterns stand out. The lying and seated options, such as bear hug, lying captain and lying monkey, ask the least of anyone’s legs. Squats, carries and standing positions shift the load onto knees, backs and balance.
Flexibility matters most in the lotus and the amazon, because both fold the hips deeply. Deep hip flexion is also what hip replacement guidance says to avoid early in recovery, as the section below explains. The lying monkey belongs on that list too, since its knees-to-chest posture is the same kind of fold. Treat all three as positions to postpone until healing is further along. If one partner has stiff hips or sore knees, start with the lower-effort rows and work up. Swapping a squat for a kneel, or a carry for a bed edge, keeps the same closeness with far less strain.
Comfort and strain: knees, pelvis and penis
Squatting, kneeling and carrying
Most strain in these positions comes from holding a squat, a kneel or another person’s weight. WebMD warns that the amazon squat could hurt the top partner’s knees and advises going slowly and stopping at any pain. Kneeling instead of squatting shifts load away from the legs. Pillows or wedges under the knees or a lower back serve the same purpose.
Carried positions, like the standing monkey, put one partner’s whole weight on the other. Keep a wall or bed close, and set your partner down rather than pushing through a wobble. More broadly, WebMD notes that forcing a body into a position it is not ready for can strain a muscle. It also says both partners need some strength and flexibility for athletic positions such as the amazon. A sex-therapist candidate writing for a counseling clinic suggests light stretching beforehand to lower the risk of injury.
None of this means avoiding the harder positions. It means matching them to the day. A partner with tired legs can take the kneeling amazon or the bed-edge bear hug instead, and switch back another time.
Penile strain in on-top positions
When the partner with the penis lies underneath, the angle can pull on the suspensory ligament that anchors the penis near the pubic bone. The top partner leaning forward reduces that pull.
A rarer and more serious injury is penile fracture. It happens when an erect penis is bent with force, for example if it slips out and strikes the partner’s body. It affects about one in every 175,000 men in the United States. Warning signs include a crack or pop, sudden pain, loss of erection and swelling.
Research disagrees on which positions carry the most risk. The Sexual Medicine Society of North America cites one study in which partner on top caused 14 of 28 cases. Yet a 2024 meta-analysis of 12 papers and 490 patients linked fracture to man-on-top and doggy style, not woman-on-top. Given that split, slow and controlled movement is the sensible habit in any position.
If an injury does happen, get medical care straight away. The society notes that fractures can be repaired with surgery, and that delay may make symptoms worse. A primary care doctor can refer you to a specialist.
When penetration hurts
Pain during sex is common. Cleveland Clinic estimates that up to 28% of people in the US experience it at least once. Pain felt with deep penetration may be worse in some positions. That matters here, since guides describe both the amazon and the captain as allowing deep penetration.
Deep pain can also point to a condition such as endometriosis or pelvic floor problems, so it is worth taking seriously. Too little lubrication is a frequent cause of painful sex, and a water- or silicone-based lubricant helps when it is. Switching to a position that does not hurt is reasonable self-care.
Pain that keeps coming back deserves a medical visit. Treatments such as pelvic floor therapy can often ease or end it.
Adapting positions for back pain or hip replacement
Back pain: the right position depends on the pain
Back pain is common, and it often means less sex. A University of Waterloo release cites Statistics Canada figures that four in five people will have at least one episode of disabling low back pain. It adds that up to 84 per cent of men and 73 per cent of women with low back pain have sex less often. The Waterloo researchers used motion capture to track the spines of 10 couples in five common positions.
Their main finding was that no single position suits every back. Spooning, often advised as the safe default, was not always best. What helps depends on which movements trigger a person’s pain. Small changes mattered too. Resting the upper body on the hands rather than the elbows changed how the spine moved. For people whose pain forward bending or movement sets off, the researchers recommend a hip hinge, moving from the hips rather than bending the spine.
The study had limits. It measured only healthy men’s spines and did not test the positions in this guide. The lesson still carries over. If bending forward sets off a partner’s pain, a folded posture may not suit them, and an upright or lying option may feel better. Try small posture changes, and ask a physiotherapist which movements to avoid for your type of pain.
After a hip replacement
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that, in limited studies, people returned to intercourse around 6 weeks after hip replacement. A new hip is less stable at first. Force raises the risk of dislocation, and the receptive partner usually faces the higher risk.
That is relevant to on-top positions. Surgical instructions often list deep hip flexion, such as kneeling on top of a partner, as something to avoid. So an amazon or a lotus may need to wait. The academy also notes that being the receptive partner on top may be hard at first. Side-lying with the surgical leg supported appears among its safer examples, which makes a side-lying bear hug a gentler option.
Both partners should be ready to stop, adjust or try another day. Most patients find it hard to raise sex with their surgeon, according to the academy, but the question is routine and worth asking. Follow the specific precautions your surgeon gave you, and call them if pain lingers after sex.
Talking about a new position before you try it
Consent covers each new position
Agreeing to sex does not mean agreeing to every position. The American Sexual Health Association says consent must be given for each sexual act, and agreeing once does not cover next time. Consent can also be taken back partway through, and then the activity stops. It has to be given freely, without pressure.
WebMD makes the same point about positions: no one should be surprised by or pushed into a new one. So ask first, ideally outside the moment. Name the position, describe what it involves, and mention any body limits, such as sore knees or a recent injury. Since several of these names mean different things on different sites, describing the setup matters more than the label.
A hesitant answer is still an answer. ASHA advises that when a partner seems reluctant, you talk about comfort levels instead of pressing ahead. A “maybe” can become “let’s try the kneeling version” or “not tonight”, and both are fine outcomes.
Why the conversation pays off
Talking about sex is linked to better sex. A 2022 meta-analysis of 93 studies and 38,499 people found that sexual communication was tied to both relationship and sexual satisfaction. How well couples talked mattered more than how often.
Many partners also know less than they think. Research cited in that paper found partners knew only 62% of what the other enjoyed and 26% of what they disliked. A short check-in closes that gap.
During sex, agree on a simple word or tap that means pause or adjust. ASHA advises communicating before, during and after sex, not just at the start. Afterwards, a quick word about what felt good and what did not makes the next attempt easier.
Frequently asked questions
What does the triceratops position look like?
In the version Men’s Health describes, both partners stand. The receiving partner faces away and bends forward with a flat back, to roughly a 90-degree angle, and the other partner stands behind them. It is a standing rear-entry position, not a face-to-face one. Informal definitions vary, so check what a partner means before assuming.
What does CEO position mean?
One retailer guide uses the name for a standing position in which one partner stands behind and leads, while the other leans forward and braces on a desk or wall. The name refers to a take-charge role more than a fixed posture. Because it is a role-play idea, agree on the dynamic in advance, and keep a stable surface nearby for balance.
What is the cuddle position called bear hug?
The bear hug is sex in a tight, full-body embrace, chest to chest, with arms and often legs wrapped around each other. It can be done at the edge of a bed, lying on your sides, seated or standing. The lying and bed-edge versions need no balancing or lifting, which makes them a gentle choice for most bodies.
How do you do an Amazonian position?
The partner with the penis lies on their back with knees bent and drawn toward the chest. The other partner straddles them, squatting or kneeling and facing them, and controls the pace. Kneeling is easier on the legs. Go slowly, stop at any knee pain, and have the top partner lean forward to ease strain on the lower partner.
What sex positions are not recommended during pregnancy?
There is no single banned list, and sex is usually safe in pregnancy unless your clinician says otherwise. Healthline’s medically reviewed guide suggests avoiding balancing on all fours in the last two months. Being on top lets the pregnant partner control depth, though some prefer to avoid deep penetration in the third trimester. Side-lying positions with pillows under the belly often feel best.
Choosing what works for you
The seven names in this guide fall into three groups. Lotus, amazon and the lying captain are face-to-face or on-top positions with fairly stable meanings. Bear hug and monkey are loose labels for several different setups. CEO and triceratops mostly describe standing positions with one partner behind.
Treat each name as a starting point for a conversation. Pick by your bodies: a bear hug or lotus for closeness, or an amazon if the receiving partner wants control and has strong knees. Talk it through first, use pillows and lubricant freely, and stop if anything hurts. If pain or a health condition keeps getting in the way, a doctor or physiotherapist can help you adapt.
Related reading
- Edge of the Bed and Standing Sex Positions: Butterfly, Waterfall, T-Bone, Wheelbarrow and Statue of Liberty Explained
- What Is Spooning Sex? The Side-Lying Position Explained
- Advanced Sex Positions and Their Injury Risks
- Sex Position Slang Explained: What 67, 68, 88, 10 and 2, and ‘Marry Me’ Really Mean
Sources
- CEO Sex Position: A Beginner’s Guide - Futadoll
- How to Do the Triceratops Sex Position: An Illustrated Guide - Men’s Health
- May Position of the Month: Lotus - Heights Family Counseling
- Here’s how to master the lotus sex position - Cosmopolitan India
- Amazon Sex Position: What It Is - WebMD
- September Position of the Month: The Amazon - Heights Family Counseling
- How to Do the Captain Sex Position and Tips to Make It Great - Cosmopolitan
- The Captain Sex Position: Take Control with Bold Intimacy - Rizwards Leather
- The Bear Hug Sex Position: How to Do It, Plus the Lying-Down Version - Couplet
- How to Master the Bear Hug Sex Position: An Intimate Guide - Tantaly
- The Monkey Sex Position: How to Do It (Plus Variations) - WildNightX
- Monkey (Kama Sutra) - Illustrated Guide - LovePlay
- Sexual Activity After Hip Replacement - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo)
- What Are the Risk Factors for Penile Fracture? - Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA)
- What is the most dangerous sexual position that caused the penile fracture? A systematic review and meta-analysis - International Brazilian Journal of Urology (via PubMed Central)
- Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse): Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic
- Back pain killing your sex life? - University of Waterloo (news release via EurekAlert!)
- Male Spine Motion During Coitus: Implications for the Low Back Pain Patient - Spine (via PubMed Central)
- Understanding Consent - American Sexual Health Association
- Dimensions of Couples’ Sexual Communication, Relationship Satisfaction, and Sexual Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis - Journal of Family Psychology (via PubMed Central)
- 10 Positions to Try for Comfortable Sex in Every Trimester - Healthline