The piledriver sex position might be the sexual challenge for you: Here's how to do it

Publish date: 2024-07-31

This article was medically reviewed by John Mutziger, LMHC, a sex and relationship therapist at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy. Medically Reviewed Reviewed By Check Mark Icon A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.

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The piledriver position allows for deep penetration, which feels good for some people.
It's also a great position for stimulating the g-spot or the prostate, but it can be dangerous.
Avoid doing the piledriver if you have back issues and opt for a safer variation described below.

The piledriver is one of the hardest sex positions to master, and for many people it may not feel good or even be possible. But if you enjoy athletic sex positions and you're looking to try something new, the piledriver might be a good option.

Here's how to do the piledriver and some tips to make it more comfortable.

How to do the piledriver position

The piledriver is a tricky position that requires both partners to be flexible. To get into the position, follow these steps:

The receiving partner starts out lying on their back with their knees bent.

The receiver then kicks their legs up and backward toward their face and lifts their lower back off the floor.

The receiver bends their elbows and braces their hands against their lower back to balance on their shoulders and hold their butt up in the air.

The penetrating partner stands facing the receiver and bends their knees so that their penis or toy can reach downward to the vagina or anus of the receiver.

The piledriver may appeal to some people, while others might be better off avoiding it. Here are some of the pros and cons of the piledriver:

Pros

The piledriver allows for deep penetration in the vagina or anus, which some people may find extra pleasurable, says Rachel Needle, PsyD, a psychologist and sex therapist in private practice.
The position also allows penetration from several different angles, so depending on how the penetrating person moves, you may be able to stimulate the g-spot or the prostate.
There's also the challenge factor — "it may be sexy because it's such an athletic position," says Gigi Engle, a certified sexologist and author of All The F*cking Mistakes: a guide to sex, love, and life.
"For those who enjoy having their partner in total control, the piledriver can be a satisfying position," Needle says.

Cons

It's possible to get injured in this position, particularly if you have any issues with your back. "It is very hard on the neck and is not for the faint of heart," Engle says.
Even if you don't have back issues, it can be hard on your body if you're the receiving partner. "This position requires a lot of flexibility and stability and can be difficult for many to sustain for long periods of time comfortably," Needle says.
It may also be uncomfortable for the penetrator. "If they have a penis that shoots straight up towards the sky when erect, bending it to penetrate the bottom would be very painful," Engle says.

Tips for maximizing pleasure

"I wouldn't recommend this position," Engle says, but if you do want to try it, there are a few tips you can try to make it work better:

Go slow. Rushing into this position could make you more likely to get hurt. "Listen to your body," Engle says, and go at a pace that's comfortable for you.

Communicate. It's important to communicate with your partner before starting this position and while you're in it, Needle says. Because the penetrating partner has so much control, the receiver needs to let them know if something feels good or if they're uncomfortable.

Switch it up if you need to. "If it feels uncomfortable or painful in any way, move into something more reliable and easy for you," Engle says. This can mean shifting your body slightly or moving into a different sex position you like better.

Piledriver variations

"To make this position better, experiment with variations of it," Needle says. Here are a couple options you can try.

Upside down piledriver

The receiver starts in a tabletop position on their hands and knees.

They straighten their legs and lift their butt upwards and backwards into a downward dog position.

The penetrating partner stands and penetrates the receiver from behind.

Lying down piledriver

The receiver starts out lying on their back with their knees bent.

The receiver raises their legs up and brings their knees back toward their face while still keeping their back flat on the floor.

The penetrating partner kneels facing the receiver.

The receiving partner can also rest their legs on the penetrator's shoulders.

Insider's takeaway

"The piledriver position is a challenging position and difficult for many including those with limited movement, flexibility, and endurance," Needle says.

This position can be a good option if you like deep penetration and have a lot of strength and flexibility.

But the piledriver could be dangerous for some people, Engle says, so it's important to be careful, go slowly, and communicate with your partner.

Madeline Kennedy Madeline Kennedy is a health writer for Insider covering a wide range of topics including reproductive and sexual health, mental health, nutrition, and infectious disease. Before joining Insider, Madeline worked as a health news writer for Reuters, and a domestic violence therapist. She has a master's degree in social work from UPenn and is interested in the intersection of health and social justice. Read more Read less

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