How to do Scissors for couples (step-by-step + variants)
Also known as: Interlocked Scissors, Side Scissors, Crossed-Leg Side Position
By WayToSparkEditorial team
Quick answer
What is Scissors?
Legs intertwined, bodies pressed together side by side — the Scissors position is as close as two people can get while lying down. You face each other with your legs crossed at an angle that puts her in line for clitoral stimulation on every movement. (This guide uses Him and Her for clarity. Swap who does which role if that fits your bodies better.) The interlocked legs create a stable, snug fit that makes even slow grinding feel intentional and satisfying. You can look at each other, kiss, or just close your eyes and feel the rhythm. Golden rule: the leg scissor should feel natural, not forced — if her inner thighs are burning, loosen the cross or slide a pillow between your knees.
Try saying…
"I like being this close — I can feel everything."
When is Scissors best — and when is it not?
Best for
- Couples who want to be face to face without the effort or weight of on-top or missionary positions
- Clitoral stimulation through natural grinding contact in a relaxed, side-lying setup
- Small spaces — this position needs barely more room than two people lying side by side
- Lazy, intimate sessions where neither partner wants to hold up body weight
- Quick connections that feel closer than they are — the full-body contact is constant
- Anyone who likes optional eye contact — you can look at each other or not, no pressure
Not ideal when
- Anyone who wants deep penetration — the side-lying angle limits depth to standard at most
- Couples who need high energy or vigorous movement — the Scissors is a medium-intensity position at its core
- Anyone with hip or inner-thigh tightness that makes leg crossing uncomfortable
- Partners who find side-lying positions too passive or slow-paced
What do you need to set up for Scissors?
- A bed, couch, or any flat surface where both of you can lie on your sides facing each other
- No props required; a pillow between her knees adds comfort and helps with alignment
- Both lie on their sides, facing each other
- Their legs interlock — his top leg slides between hers, or both top legs cross over each other
- She may want a pillow under her head to keep her face aligned with his
- 10-second consent check: "this feel good?" — she can uncross her legs or roll away anytime
How do you do Scissors step by step?
Step 1 — Lie facing each other
- 1Both partners lie on their sides, facing each other, close enough that your bodies nearly touch.
- 2A pillow under each person's head keeps the spine straight and faces level.
- 3He may want to prop his head on his hand or a pillow for stability.
Step 2 — Interlock your legs
- 4He slides his top leg between hers, or both partners cross their top legs over each other.
- 5The crossing creates a V-shape that angles him toward her front.
- 6She adjusts her knee position until the alignment feels natural.
Step 3 — He moves into position
- 7He shifts his hips forward until they're connected.
- 8The side-lying angle means he enters at a slight upward angle.
- 9She can tilt her pelvis to help with alignment — a small adjustment makes a big difference.
Step 4 — Start with grinding
- 10He begins with small grinding movements, keeping the thrusts shallow at first.
- 11The interlocked legs keep both bodies stable — there's no sliding apart.
- 12She can grind back against him if she wants to share the motion.
Step 5 — Build from there
- 13He adds depth gradually as she relaxes into the position.
- 14She can reach down to add clitoral touch with her hand or a toy.
- 15Either person pauses or stops anytime — no explanation needed.
Safeword reminder: agree on a word before you begin. “Lighter”, “slower”, “shallower” and “stop” should always be welcome — comfort first, every time. This is a detailed educational guide for consenting adults 18+, not a performance test.
Scissors: a scene
adjusting the leg lock
Educational roleplay for consenting adults 18+. Use your own words; pause anytime.
How do you vary rhythm and pleasure in Scissors?
Try these paces
- Slow grind (gentle): small, lazy circles and shallow thrusts. The leg lock keeps you connected, so even tiny movements feel purposeful. Good for slow mornings, long sessions, or when you want intimacy without intensity.
- Medium grind-and-thrust: he alternates between grinding and deeper thrusts. The rhythm has more variety and the stimulation builds. Best for a standard session where you want to feel things progress.
- Faster pace: he increases speed while the interlocked legs keep everything stable. The clitoral contact gets more consistent at higher speeds. Save this for when you're both close and want to push toward the finish.
Upgrades
- She wraps her top leg around his hip (Wrapped variant) for a tighter fit and more control over the angle.
- He rests his top hand on her waist or hip to steady her and add a sense of connection during the motion.
- A pillow between her knees opens her hips slightly and reduces inner-thigh strain — small comfort upgrade, big difference over time.
- She reaches between both bodies to add direct clitoral touch while he thrusts. The face-to-face angle means she has clear access.
- He kisses her neck or chest during slower moments — the face-to-face setup makes this easy and natural.
How do you stay comfortable and avoid mistakes?
Her inner thighs burning: loosen the leg scissor. A wider, more relaxed cross gives most of the sensation with far less strain. A pillow between the knees is the quickest fix. His arm tired from propping his head: he can lie flatter and use a thicker pillow. The Kneeling variant (v-919c) changes his upper body position entirely. Hips not aligning: a pillow under her hip or his tilts things in the right direction. Even a folded towel makes a difference. Height gaps are the most common alignment issue in side-lying positions. Low energy or fatigue: the side-lying position is already low-effort, but if you're really tired, keep the thrusts shallow and slow. You don't need to work hard for this position to feel good. She wants more clitoral contact: she grinds forward against him while he thrusts. The combined pressure puts more direct friction where she needs it. The Wrapped variant helps with this too. He has a larger belly: side-lying actually works well here — the angle isn't affected by midsection size the way missionary can be. A pillow between the knees helps with alignment.
Common mistakes
- Crossing legs too tight → the scissor should be comfortable, not a vise. If inner thighs hurt, loosen immediately. A pillow helps. The sensation doesn't require a death grip.
- He thrusts at the wrong angle → the side-lying position means his alignment comes from the hips, not the spine. If it feels off, he should adjust his hip tilt, not his whole body. Small hip shifts fix most angle problems.
- Forgetting she can move too → even though he leads in most variants, she can grind back, tilt her hips, or shift her leg position. The Scissors works best when both partners make small adjustments.
- Going too deep too fast → start shallow. The side angle makes depth feel bigger than it is. Let her body adjust before adding more.
Scissors position variants for couples: how to try each one
Looking for easy scissors variants for couples? The Scissors has six variants that adjust the posture, intensity, and style while keeping the core idea — side by side, legs interlocked, clitoral focus.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Crabby Scissors Scissors for couples
What is the Crabby Scissors Scissors variant? — Both partners keep their legs pulled up closer to their chests — a tighter, more curled position. The angle stays clitoral focused. Standard depth, open legs, male leads.
When is Crabby Scissors best for couples? — Couples who like a compact, snug feel. The tucked legs create a slightly different internal angle that some women find more stimulating.
How to try Crabby Scissors step by step
- 1Both partners pull their knees up toward their chests more than usual.
- 2He thrusts from this tighter position — the range of motion is shorter but the contact is more concentrated.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Scissored Flagpole Scissors for couples
What is the Scissored Flagpole Scissors variant? — He shifts his upper body more upright — propped on one elbow — while she stays low. The change in his posture gives her more room to contribute to the motion. Standard depth, shared control. Clitoral access with adjustment.
When is Scissored Flagpole best for couples? — Couples who want more shared energy. His upright posture means she can push back against him more easily, creating a true back-and-forth rhythm.
How to try Scissored Flagpole step by step
- 1He props himself up on his elbow so his chest is more vertical.
- 2She stays on her side.
- 3The angle lets her grind back while he thrusts forward — shared motion.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Kneeling Scissors Scissors for couples
What is the Kneeling Scissors Scissors variant? — He kneels beside her on the bed while she lies on her side. Her legs scissor around his kneeling leg. The height difference changes the angle. Standard depth, male leads.
When is Kneeling Scissors best for couples? — Anyone who wants a different angle without fully changing positions. The kneeling posture gives him more control over depth and direction.
How to try Kneeling Scissors step by step
- 1She lies on her side.
- 2He kneels beside her, one leg between hers.
- 3He holds her hip or waist and thrusts from the kneeling position.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Twisted Kneeling Scissors Scissors for couples
What is the Twisted Kneeling Scissors Scissors variant? — He kneels beside her but twists his torso toward her more, creating an angled posture. The twist changes the thrust direction slightly. Standard depth, male leads.
When is Twisted Kneeling Scissors best for couples? — Couples who find the straight-on kneeling angle too direct. The twist softens the entry angle and can feel more comfortable for her.
How to try Twisted Kneeling Scissors step by step
- 1He kneels beside her and twists his upper body toward her.
- 2Her legs scissor around his.
- 3He thrusts from this angled posture.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Sitting Scissors Scissors for couples
What is the Sitting Scissors Scissors variant? — He sits upright on the bed with his legs extended, and she lies on her side with her legs scissored over his. This is the only Scissors variant with consistent eye contact. Standard depth, male leads.
When is Sitting Scissors best for couples? — Couples who want the face-to-face connection of sitting positions combined with the comfort of her lying down. The eye contact and body proximity make this feel more romantic than the other variants.
How to try Sitting Scissors step by step
- 1He sits upright with legs out.
- 2She lies on her side facing him, her legs draped over his.
- 3He holds her hip and thrusts while they look at each other.
Scissors variant for couples
How to do Wrapped Scissors Scissors for couples
What is the Wrapped Scissors Scissors variant? — She wraps her top leg around his hip or waist instead of a simple scissor cross. The wrap pulls him closer and gives her more leverage to control the angle. Standard depth, male leads.
When is Wrapped Scissors best for couples? — Anyone who wants a tighter, more connected feel. The leg wrap also lets her pull him in or push him back, giving her real influence over depth.
How to try Wrapped Scissors step by step
- 1She wraps her top leg over his hip.
- 2He holds her thigh or hip.
- 3The wrapped leg locks them together more securely than a standard scissor.
Hybrid model: one rich parent page with every variant as a full section. Bigger variants can later graduate to their own URLs — the library already deep-links here.
What positions transition well with Scissors?
- Reverse Scissors — she rolls over to face away while staying side-lying. The leg scissor stays, but the stimulation shifts from clitoral to G-spot focused.
- Twin Towers Side — she draws her knees up higher and adjusts the leg position. The sensation shifts to mixed G-spot and clitoral.
- Reverse Scoop — she rolls to face away and he adjusts his angle. Similar setup, but the motion shifts to straighter thrusting instead of grinding.
Scissors: frequently asked questions
Yes — the face-to-face side-lying angle naturally puts pressure on her front during grinding movements. Adding a hand or toy makes it even more direct.
No — this is one of the most space-efficient positions available. Two people side by side with interlocked legs. It works on a twin bed, a couch, or any flat surface.
Moderate across all variants. None of them involve high-energy bouncing. The side-lying position naturally dampens noise. Fine for shared walls.
In most variants, yes — your faces are close together. The Sitting variant (v-919e) is the easiest for kissing since he's upright and she's facing him directly.
In Scissors, you face each other — the stimulation is clitoral. In Reverse Scissors, she faces away from him — the stimulation shifts to G-spot. Same basic setup, different direction, different target.
Yes — side-lying distributes weight well and doesn't require core strength or balance. The main consideration is inner-thigh comfort during the leg scissor. A pillow between the knees helps.
He should adjust his hip tilt, not his whole body. Small shifts in how high or low his hips are change the entry angle. She can also tilt her pelvis up or down. Usually a combination of both fixes it.
Related pages for Scissors (keyword groups)
18+ only. General creative ideas for consenting adults — not medical, psychological or therapeutic advice, and not affiliated with doctors or experts. Always play with consent, a safeword and mutual comfort.