How To Do The Full Nelson Sex Position, According To Sex Experts

IF YOU’RE A fan of porn, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the Full Nelson sex position. The acrobatic sex move—which provides a full-frontal view of the receiver’s body—is a “porn classic,” says Gigi Engle, a COSRT-registered and GSRD-accredited sex and relationships psychotherapist and associate clinician at The Therapy Yard. But do you actually need pornstar-level sex skills to pull it off?

Lucky for all you DIYers, this is a position you can—and should—try at home. You just might want to stretch first. The Full Nelson requires a bit of flexibility and balance, but that’s exactly what makes this position so darn pleasurable: The angle of the bodies allows the receiver to experience some serious G-spot or prostate stimulation, Engle says, which can help both partners achieve orgasm. Plus, it’s a pretty comfortable position for the penetrating partner, since there’s no need to rely on their shoulders or knees to hold the receiver up.

Wanna give it a shot? Here’s how to do the Full Nelson sex position, plus variations on the move, challenges you may encounter, and ways to incorporate sex toys.

How To Do The Full Nelson Sex Position

To begin, the penetrating partner lies down on their back on a bed, reclining chair, or another comfortable surface. After they’re in position, the receiving partner lies on top of them, facing the same direction.

From here, the penetrating partner wraps their arms around the receiving partner’s legs and around the back of their neck (if you’re having trouble picturing it, see the illustration below). This will cause the receiving partner’s legs to spread, with their knees tucked into their chest.

The penetrating partner then inserts their penis (or strap-on) into the receiving partner’s vagina or anus, planting their heels so they can use their hips to thrust. The penetrating partner should find their balance before they begin thrusting, however, as it’s easy to tip to the side.

The Full Nelson position should look like this:

Variations Of The Full Nelson Sex Position

If the balancing act is throwing you off, the receiving partner can plant their feet on either side of the penetrating partner. This way, the giver doesn’t need to hold the receiver’s legs, Engle says, which may be more comfortable for both parties.

“The [receiving partner] can also try putting their legs down, essentially lying flat against their partner’s back. This can be a bit like a flat spooning position,” Engle says. FYI: This position is known as the Pearly Gates, and it’s also great for G-spot or prostate stimulation (see the illustration below).

Weight distribution may be another challenge. All of the receiving partner’s weight will be on the penetrating partner (literally, because they’re lying on top of them), so it can be difficult to stay balanced. Remember: The giving partner should find their center before they start thrusting. One false move, and you’ll both fall onto your side—not exactly sexy.

Challenges Of The Full Nelson Sex Position

Besides the aforementioned balancing issues, you can probably tell from the above description and illustrations that this move requires the receiving partner to be pretty flexible. Their knees will be situated high up into their chest, which can be uncomfortable for many people. Plus, anyone with any back or neck pain may be further irritated by this position. (It’s likely not a possible position and shouldn’t be attempted by anyone with mobility limitations.)

The penetrating partner may also need to be “well-endowed to be able to keep the penis in the vagina/anus at that angle,” Engle says. “Penis/strap-on length is a huge drawback for this position.”

How To Incorporate Sex Toys Into This Position

Take full advantage of the Full Nelson by bringing some toys in on the action. The receiving partner’s legs are spread wide, allowing easy access for clitoral stimulation with a vibrator, Engle says. It’s a bit of a reach away, though—so be sure to use something with a long handle, like the Magic Wand. Just know that the receiving partner will have to be the person controlling the toy, since the penetrating partner’s hands are busy holding their partner’s legs back.

The penetrating partner may want to wear a cock ring for extra stimulation, too. They “can be great for maintaining erections in such a physically challenging position,” Engle says.