Common positions
These are the most widely known positions, and are widespread and prevalent during the act of sex.
Cowgirl -- woman on top; man on bottom; also know as Woman-On-Top.
Doggy -- man penetrates from behind; woman on all fours, facing down.
Leapfrog -- variant on the Doggy position; woman torso is lower; also know as Face down ass up.
Upright doggy -- variant on the doggy position; woman kneels upright.
Spread-eagle -- woman lies facing down, legs spread open; man on top.
Missionary -- most common position; man on top with direct penetration; woman on bottom, legs open.
Side entry missionary -- variant on the missionary position; woman on side; man kneeling penetrates from behind.
Squashing of the deckchair -- woman on bottom, legs pulled up; man on top, holds woman's legs.
Butterfly position -- a variant on the missionary position.
Coital alignment technique -- variant on the missionary position
Spoons position -- side by side; man penetrates from behind.
69 -- simultaneous oral sex; often side-by-side, or either the man or woman can be on top.
Less common positions
These positions are more innovative, and perhaps not as widely known and practised as the ones listed above.
Cross -- woman on bottom; man on top perpendicular.
Head to toe -- man on back, legs spread; woman on back on top, legs spread; both facing different directions,
Horizontal reverse -- variant on the reverse cowgirl; woman on top, facing down with torso lower; man on bottom.
Reverse cowgirl -- variant on the cowgirl position; also known as 'Riding of the Steer'.
Rocking chair -- man on bottom; woman on all fours, facing up.
Sitting / Kneeling sex positions
Armchair -- variant on the watching the game; woman sits in a chair; man kneels in front of the woman.
Black bee-- man sits, hands behind on the floor; woman sits on top, hands on shoulders.
Furniture -- woman on the edge of furniture, legs spread; man kneels.
Persuading of the debtor -- man penetrates kneeling; woman on back, ankles on each side of man's shoulders.
Playing of the cello -- woman on back, ankles on one of the man's shoulders; man kneeling penetrates from back; also know as Playing of the violin.
Proposal -- woman kneels, legs apart; man kneels, one knee on ground.
Split level -- woman on bottom, legs around man; man kneels.
Watching the game -- variant on the cowgirl position; man sits in a chair; woman sits, facing the man; also know as the Lap dance.
Standing sex positions
Reverse piggy-back -- man penetrates standing; woman lifted, wrapping legs around man; can be done free-standing or up against an upright surface. Also know as the tree position.
Stand and Carry -- man stands, holding woman; woman wraps legs around man's waist and arms around man's shoulders.
Standing -- Both stand using a structure for support.
Wheelbarrow -- man penetrates standing; woman on bottom lifted by thighs; also known as 'Hovering of the floor'.
Non-penetration or low-penetration sex
interfemoral intercourse a.k.a. intercrural intercourse (with the penis between the legs or thighs, perhaps rubbing the vulva, scrotum or perineum)
mammary intercourse (with the penis between the breasts)
axillary intercourse (with the penis in the armpit)
Unusual positions
These are positions not commonly encountered. These are rarely experienced or observed. They are not regularly nor customarily engaged in. These are not in conformity with regular practice of sex.
Acrobatic skill / extreme agility required
Advanced black bee -- variant on the Black bee; man sits, hands behind on the floor; woman sits on top, hands and legs on shoulders.
Toilet -- variant on the reverse cowgirl position; man on back upside down, knees bent; woman sits on man.
Use of special apparatus
Most sex acts are typically performed on a bed or other platform. As the range of supports available increases, the range of positions that are possible increases (for example, see the sitting and standing positions above).
Various forms of erotic furniture and other apparatus such as fisting slings and trapezes have been used to facilitate even more exotic sexual positions