Women's Health February 26, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock Next-Level Intimacy: The Pretzel Dip Position That Redefines Doggy Style and Ignites Passion Like Never Before

Ever wondered if you could twist your way to deeper connection and a whole new level of intimacy—all while keeping things comfy? Enter the pretzel dip position: not just a fun name that sounds like a tasty treat, but a surprisingly versatile and cozy way to spice up your sexual repertoire. It’s got the depth of doggy style and the soul-searching gaze of missionary, plus the unique twist of being equally great for grinding or non-penetrative play. Whether you’re exploring new sensations or aiming to strengthen the bond with your partner, this position offers more than just foreplay—it’s a legit boost for your relationship and overall well-being. Curious to discover how tangled legs might just unlock fresh pleasure and meaningful connection? Let’s dive in and untangle the magic of the pretzel dip. LEARN MORE

5 min read

When you want to add something new to your sexual menu, nothing satisfies quite like the pretzel dip position. While the name might sound like a yummy app, it’s actually one of the most comfortable, intimate, and versatile sex positions out there. With the deep penetration of doggy style and the intense eye contact of missionary, the pretzel dip does what a lot of other positions can’t. Plus, it works as a grinding, non-penetrative position, too—it all depends on how the back partner chooses to press against the front partner.

But however you decide to dip, trying a new sex position isn’t just a fun thing to do with your beau—it’s legitimately good for your relationship. New sexual experiences give couples an opportunity to learn about each other, feel connected, and experience different types of pleasure and arousal, sex therapist Rachel Needle, PsyD, previously told Women’s Health.

And while you already know that good sex makes your body feel good, believe it or not, it also does the body good. Specifically, a healthy sex life has been associated with less stress, better sleep, and increased longevity. All great reasons to get dipping!

How to do the Pretzel Dip Sex Position

At Women’s Health, we aim to describe sexual experiences as inclusively as possible. While this position has traditionally been associated with penis-in-vagina sex, it can be adapted by couples of all genders and sexual orientations and identities. We encourage readers to modify any position to suit their bodies, preferences, and needs. To avoid making assumptions about gender or anatomy, we use non-gendered language throughout this article. The “giving partner” or “giver” refers to the partner doing the penetrating, whether with a penis, a strap-on, or even fingers. The “receiving partner” or “receiver” refers to the partner being penetrated vaginally or anally.

The receiving partner lies on their side, with their shoulders and face tilting upwards, says Amanda Pasciucco, PhD, LMFT, a sex therapist based in West Hartford, Connecticut. Their top leg should be raised, but other than that, their body should be fully supported by the bed.

Then, the giving partner comes between the receiver’s thighs, straddling their bottom leg so that both partners’ genitals are aligned. “These entwined legs give the pretzel position its name,” says Ian Kerner, PhD, LMFT, sex therapist and author of She Comes First. From here, the giving partner can penetrate the receiver, or grind their pelvis back-and-forth along the receiver’s for a non-penetrative option.

This position does require a bit of fancy legwork, which can be “very challenging for some people,” Pasciucco says. “But if your body can get into this position, it’s really comfortable for the receiver—and easy, for the giver, to push their weight upon the receiver.”

Sexual Benefits of the Pretzel Dip Position

If you and your partner can successfully wrangle all four legs into position, there are tons of reasons to add the pretzel dip into your bedroom repertoire. For one thing, it involves a lot of eye contact, making it extremely intimate, says Pasciucco. But one of the best benefits of the pretzel dip is its versatility.

This position can provide a similar level of depth as doggy style, according to Pasciucco, but it’s also perfect for non-penetrative sex—which might look like grinding or even scissoring. “I think what’s cool about grinding sex is we focus on a different type of sensation,” she says. “If you’re rubbing genitals, it feels [differently] than penetration.” This can also be a great way to have sex if the receiving partner typically experiences pain or discomfort during penetration.

The grinding sensation associated with this position can also feel great for two partners with vulvas, says Kerner. And whether the top partner has a penis or vulva—or is wearing a strap-on—this position can provide the bottom partner with a lot of direct clitoral stimulation, which many people need to experience orgasm. In fact, it’s super-easy for either partner to hold a toy, like a clit vibrator, between your bodies.

But the receiving partner doesn’t have to just lie back. In the pretzel dip position, their hands are free to explore their partner’s body—or their own, says Pasciucco. Maybe they choose to stimulate their nipples or explore other erogenous zones.

As for the giving partner, they might choose to grab the receiver’s butt and pull them closer to deepen penetration, says Kerner.

Pretzel Dip Sex Position Tips

Ahead, the experts share three techniques to try while you’re intertwined:

1. Grab some pillows.

With any position, sex pillows and cushions can help you reach new angles. This is especially true with positions like the pretzel dip, which rely on contorting your legs and getting comfortable, says Kerner. “The partner on the bottom may need some pillows behind their head and back to support them,” he notes.

2. The bottom partner can lean into their dominant side.

Oftentimes, the receiving partner is pigeonholed into the more submissive box—but this doesn’t have to be the case. In the pretzel dip position, the receiver has their hands fully available to touch, scratch, and use toys on their partner. “As the receiver, you can still be the giver of something while receiving penetration in this position,” says Pasciucco. Just a few ideas: “You can use your hands to flog [your partner]; you have your nails to scratch them.” All with consent, of course!

3. Make the most of all that eye contact.

The inherent eye contact associated with the pretzel dip can provide you with all kinds of sexy opportunities. “With this position, I’ve heard of givers feeling inspired in a way because they have this eye contact,” says Pasciucco. For example, they may want to turn up the intensity with a little dirty talk. But, of course, you can also just use all this eye contact to gaze at your partner or kiss. The beauty of this position is, it’s all up to you.

Meet the Experts

Lydia Wang is the love & life editor at Women’s Health, where she writes and edits content about sexual health, love and relationships, queerness, sex tech, and astrology. She is also the co-author of the romance novel Here For The Wrong Reasons, and previously covered sex and dating for Refinery29, Elite Daily, and more. When she’s not diving deep into the latest sex trends or researching the best vibrators on the market, you can find her reading at a coffee shop or watching reality TV.