The series of positions with the man on top starts from the most tradition – missionary, to some great ways to play around and alter the sensations that come into play with this positioning. Missionary is, of course, the most basic, and most time worn, of any sex positions.

Hell, in certain cultures and states, there were laws against using anything else! That’s a topic for another time, though. The main problem some people have with this position is that the woman does not get to have much control or activity. However, that is rather far from the truth!

Photography by SuicideGirls.

The one thing missionary has on other sex position is face to face, as well as full body contact. This is an extremely intimate and romantic position, and lends itself to a variety of sensations. Sex isn’t only about how deep you can get it, after all! On that topic, however – if you want some of the deepest possible penetration, the woman can fold her legs, holding behind the knees, and drawing her legs back, allowing the man to get very very deep.

A variation called The Anvil involves the woman propping her legs up on both shoulders of her partner. The man pushes forward and lifts her butt off the bed, while penetrating her. This is one of my personal favorites, and it allows for both a breadth of sensation, as well as deep penetration. It is also comfortable no matter what speed you want to go at, and while it might seem like the woman does not have much control from this position, there are many ways in which you can shift and control the angle and speed of intercourse.

Just like with the woman on top, a few other man on top variations make use of various bits of furniture around the room. Sliding the woman’s legs off the edge of the bed, then having the man support himself on his arms as he holds himself over top, is another fun position.

If you have ever heard of the Perfumed Garden, an ancient sex manual (similar to the Kama Sutra), you might have seen this position. The woman lies on her side, and has one leg straight up in the air (supported by the man’s shoulder). He straddles her lying leg, and penetrates her in this way. The sideways angle allows for different types and areas of stimulation.

This position is better for slower rhythms of sex, as movement is somewhat impaired by the angle. The unfamiliar sensations also lend itself to a slower pace, in which to enjoy the new areas being stimulated.

One last one for the man on top, also from the Perfumed Garden! This one is referred to as Touching Soles (a nice play on words for them). The woman needs to slide slightly down, in order to have the soles of her feet on the same level as the man’s. Your mileage may vary for this one, depending on the difference of heights between you and your partner. Your legs are intertwined as well, and this position is said to help with clitoral stimulation, in the way you are positioned while trying to reach the feet.