Legs on shoulders
Also known as shoulder holderdeep missionarylegs up
Legs on shoulders is a missionary variation where the receiving partner rests their legs up on the giving partner's shoulders — opening the hips for a deeper angle.
The gist
Raising the legs tilts the pelvis and shortens the distance, which noticeably deepens the angle. It's a small adjustment from classic missionary that changes the sensation a lot, so it rewards easing in and checking that the depth stays comfortable.
Step by step
Begin in missionary with the receiving partner on their back.
Raise their legs and rest the ankles or calves on the other's shoulders.
Ease in slowly — the angle is deeper than it looks.
Lower the legs slightly to dial the depth back at any time.
Tips
- Depth increases fast here, so start gentle and let the receiving partner set the limit.
- A pillow under the hips makes the tilt more comfortable to hold.
Related
Missionary
Missionary is a front-to-front position where one partner lies on their back and the other faces them from above — prized for eye contact, closeness, and easy communication.
Edge of the bed
The edge-of-the-bed position has one partner lying at the edge of the mattress while the other kneels or stands at the side — an ergonomic way to solve height and angle.