19 Submissive Positions Every Dom and Sub Should Know

Curious how submissive positions can transform your D/s dynamic? This guide breaks down the most essential submissive positions for training, protocol, rituals, and erotic play—helping you deepen connection, heighten power exchange, and create hotter, more intentional BDSM experiences.

Learning to be submissive is both a mental and physical game. Mentally, it requires embracing surrender, obedience, and servitude toward a Dominant. Physically, the submissive expresses these qualities by relinquishing control—and sometimes ownership—allowing the Dom to use their body as they please. Learning to be dominant also requires effort: developing the confidence and clarity needed to command a submissive effectively.

Submissive positions help facilitate this learning and expression for each side of the slash by giving the Dominant physical control and giving the submissive a way to demonstrate obedience and vulnerability at a moment’s notice. One command from the Dominant, and the submissive is instantly in position for whatever order or action comes next.

This guide explores how to physically embody a submissive role in BDSM by using specific poses to enhance power exchange and deepen connection with a Dom. It includes practical advice, mindset reminders, and position breakdowns to support intentional, respectful, and exciting BDSM play.

What Are Submissive Positions?

Submissive positions—sometimes called submissive poses—are specific body postures, such as kneeling, sitting, standing, or lying prone, that symbolize obedience, surrender, and readiness within Dom/sub relationships.

Training these positions serves both practical and emotional functions within a D/s dynamic, emphasizing the control, structure, and discipline that shape the relationship. It involves teaching a submissive to assume specific poses on command, which can act as both obedience training and preparation for various BDSM scenes.

Where Do Submissive Positions Come From?

Some poses trace their roots to The Chronicles of Gor, a series of science-fiction novels by John Norman, while others evolved organically within kink communities. Whether you use traditional names like “the classic kneel” or create your own, each submissive posture becomes a ritual of surrender—beautiful, personal, and deeply symbolic.

The Gorean lifestyle, while not strictly a BDSM practice, is woven into kink culture. People who follow a Gorean lifestyle are called Goreans. They engage in master/slave relationships, often with 24/7 TPE (total power exchange) dynamics.

In Gorean culture, the slave is referred to as kajira. When a slave assumes any of these positions, they express and reinforce the social values and relational hierarchy of that lifestyle. For the slave, the position cultivates vulnerability and sexual desirability. For the Master, it reinforces control, allowing them to position the slave however they wish and do whatever they feel moved to do.

Submissive Position/Pose vs. Submissive Sex Position

When most people think about positions, they think of the wide array of sex positions we can pretzel ourselves into during intercourse. While some submissive positions can be used during sexual play, their purpose is not primarily sexual. They are used far more often for other activities in BDSM, which we’ll discuss later.

A submissive position is a specific pose the submissive assumes to obey and please their Dominant. It’s a previously agreed-upon set of instructions the submissive follows when given a cue or command.

Submissive sex positions, on the other hand, are simply sexual positions—whether intercourse or foreplay—that amplify the D/s dynamic. For example, doggy style allows the Dominant to pin the submissive’s arms behind their back for an extra layer of control and restraint.

What Is Submissive Position Training?

Position training involves teaching a submissive to move into, hold, and transition between specific postures on command. It’s far more than a rote exercise; it creates a shared vocabulary of movement that removes ambiguity from your interactions. Through repetition and gentle correction, the submissive learns to anticipate orders and instinctively take the correct stance, which strengthens the power exchange and deepens trust.

Over time, this practice refines discipline, enhances the ritualistic drama of each scene, and embeds obedience into their very posture.

Why Use Submissive Positions?

Submissive positions are one of the most enjoyable ways to engage in D/s dynamics both inside and outside of regular play because of their simplicity. At their core, commanding the submissive to assume a particular position with just one word or gesture becomes a subtle demonstration of the Dom’s complete control over their body.

Because these poses often place the submissive in vulnerable or even intentionally demeaning positions while placing the Dominant in one of power or authority, this simple act can reinforce the dynamic and heighten both partners’ experience.

Benefits for the Dom

For the Dominant, position training helps build trust, precision, and obedience in your submissive. With each successfully taught pose and command, you strengthen the foundational principle of leader and follower, while reinforcing the submissive’s confidence in their ability to follow your instructions correctly. It becomes a quick and effective way to guide, discipline, reward, or punish the submissive without lengthy explanations.

Beyond the practical benefits, you may simply have certain positions you love seeing your submissive in—poses that truly turn you on. Having your submissive adopt these positions while they wait for you to lead the scene transforms idle moments into visually erotic ones. With a single command, you can place them in whatever posture best serves your pleasure and intention.

There is also a deep sense of pride in the training process itself: knowing you have taught your submissive well, and that with one word, you can exert your control.

Benefits for the Submissive

On the other side of the slash, learning to inhabit submissive positions helps you express obedience, focus your attention, and build instant, confident responses to your Dominant’s commands.

You’ll experience a sense of accomplishment and contentment as you master each position. These poses also elicit vulnerability, placing you in exposed stances that help you surrender fully to your Dominant. This allows you to ease your mind, shed anxiety, and transition from everyday life into submissive mode.

In this way, positions are both a tool and a test. They serve as a tool for maintaining your submissive mindset by physically embodying your commitment to service—reminding you, with every engaged muscle, who holds the authority. They also serve as a test of obedience and devotion, showing how far you are willing to go to demonstrate that obedience, especially when positions challenge your fitness, flexibility, or endurance by requiring you to hold them for extended periods.

How to Do Submissive Positions

In a moment, I’m going to list some of the most common positions—though you and your partner can rename, adapt, or combine them however you like. Every posture exists to reinforce trust, strengthen your power exchange, and deepen both the physical and emotional connection you share.

Aside from making them uniquely your own, you may also adapt a position to accommodate disabilities, mobility concerns, or any strain caused by getting into or holding a posture. To modify any position, feel free to use a bed, pillows, cushions, or a chair.

Remember, holding a position for a set amount of time can challenge both mind and body, so prepare yourself before you embark on this new practice. Always have an open conversation with your Dominant about expectations, boundaries, safe words, and signals.

Submissive Positions

Here are 19 common submissive positions used in BDSM.

Inspection

The inspection position—also known as the display position—is used to present or examine the submissive. The submissive stands straight with their legs apart and their hands resting behind their head. This position allows the Dominant to easily handle, inspect, or display their submissive to others.

Wait

The wait position keeps the submissive still until they receive further instructions. The submissive stands straight with their legs wide apart and their hands resting behind their back.

Attention

The attention position prepares the submissive to receive commands and corrections. The submissive stands straight, facing forward, with their legs and heels together. Their arms rest at their sides, with fingers brushing lightly against their legs.

Trophy

Similar to the attention pose, the submissive stands straight, facing forward, with their legs and heels together. Their hands rest on the top of their chest and arms on their sides. This position is for display.

Waitress

This position represents service while accentuating the submissive’s form. The submissive places their arms to their side with hands stretched outward as if to hold dishes. Their weight is shifted to one leg while the other is bent.

Cross

The cross position resembles the position a submissive takes when placed on a BDSM cross to receive impact play, punishment, or other forms of play. Their legs are spread shoulder width apart and arms are raised parallel to their head. Oftentimes each extremity is restrained using bondage devices.

Wall

In the wall position, the submissive faces the wall with their legs wide apart. Their arms are raised above their head, crossed at the wrists, and their palms are pressed flat against the wall. The submissive leans slightly forward, bracing themselves. This position provides the Dominant with easy access from behind for either punishment or pleasure.

At Your Service

A submissive typically assumes this position when preparing to receive an order or offer personal service. They stand straight with legs together and hands placed over their genitals for modesty.

Nadu

Nadu represents compliance and submission. The submissive kneels facing forward, sitting back on their heels with thighs spread wide. Their back remains straight, their gaze forward, and their palms rest upturned on their thighs. Palms-up can indicate helplessness and a desire to please. Some Dominants incorporate toys for sensation play or for correcting posture during this position.

Collar Me

This position is often used when a submissive wears a BDSM collar as a sign of ownership. The submissive kneels with their back straight and thighs spread, offering their neck for the Dominant to place the collar. If they have long hair, they lift it to expose their neck fully.

Modest Kneel

The modest kneel expresses obedience while preserving dignity. The submissive kneels with legs wide apart, keeping their back straight. Their hands rest between their legs, covering their genitals for modesty.

Egyptian

This position is similar to the modest kneel. The submissive kneels with legs wide apart, keeping their back straight. Then they cross their arms in front of their chest, resting their hands on their biceps.

Kneel / Tower

This position is similar to Nadu but with notable differences: the submissive kneels with their legs together, and their palms rest face-down on their thighs.

Ready to Please

This position offers the submissive for pleasurable use. They kneel with legs spread apart, like in Nadu, but place their palms down between their knees. The submissive leans forward slightly and opens their mouth fully for service.

Humble

The humble position evokes deep vulnerability. The submissive kneels with their thighs spread and lifts their ass into the air. They cross their hands in front of them and rest their head on their hands. This position can be used for punishment, humiliation, apology, or any situation that requires heightened exposure and surrender.

Table

The tabletop position can be used for objectification—literally using the submissive as a table—or for impact play, sexual pleasure, or simply placing them in a vulnerable stance. The submissive gets down on all fours, balancing on their hands and knees.

Stool

Another objectifying and immobilizing pose, the stool position has the submissive kneeling and placing their elbows flat on the floor. Their forearms extend forward with palms down. With eyes downcast, the submissive waits patiently for their next command.

Sex Doll / Capture Position

Also known as the capture position, this pose resembles an inanimate sex doll waiting to be used or a captured submissive awaiting their fate. The submissive lies on their back with feet flat on the floor, knees lifted toward the ceiling, and thighs spread to expose the genitals. Their gaze stays upward, and their arms rest beside their body with palms down.

Floor

The floor position calls for the submissive to lie face-down on their stomach with legs together and feet pointing downward. Their hands rest beside their head with palms flat on the floor, and their gaze remains toward the ground at all times.

Submissive Position Training

If you want to dive deeper into how to apply these positions, transition smoothly between them, and practice position training the right way, I recommend watching the following videos from Kink Academy:

• Position Training Part 1: Basic Poses
• Position Training Part 2: In Scene
• Position Training: The Finer Points
• Position Training: Serving a Beverage
• Standing Positions
• Changing Positions Gracefully
• Kneeling Positions 1 & 2
• Kneeling Positions 3 & 4
• Kneeling Positions 5-8

These resources offer clear demonstrations and practical insights for applying position training in real D/s dynamics.

How to Incorporate Submissive Positions into D/s

Now let’s explore a few ways to weave submissive positions into your D/s dynamic beyond simply training to learn them.

Rules & Protocol

In many dynamics, submissive positions are woven into protocol—the broader practice where the Dominant enforces rules and expectations, and the submissive demonstrates respect, discipline, and devotion.

For example, a submissive may be required to kneel before getting into bed, or wait in a designated position while the Dominant enters a room. Certain standing positions may be used to prepare the submissive for a particular scene. At play parties, a submissive may be expected to kneel at the Dominant’s side or assume another preselected pose.

As with any protocol, choose positions that feel meaningful and useful within your dynamic. Select the ones you enjoy most and apply them during moments you want to elevate the D/s experience.

Rituals

Rituals are routines that enhance the emotional and psychological aspects of the relationship. They create meaningful moments, reinforce the dynamic, and deepen the bond between Dominant and submissive.

Common examples include:

• assuming the collar me position to receive a play collar
• using kneeling positions during daily meditation or grounding practices
• serving as a table or stool during certain daily activities

Rituals help anchor the dynamic in shared meaning and intention.

As Part of Play

One of the greatest advantages of learning these positions is being able to use them in various BDSM scenes. For example, you could:

• Use the sex doll position in a dollification scene, lying motionless while a Pleasure Dom teases you until you’re desperate to squirm, beg for mercy, or cum—and if you’re lucky, they’ll use you for their pleasure.
• Use the tabletop position at a house party among kink friends, with the submissive naked and on all fours, exposed and available. Guests might place plates on their back, rest their feet on them, or simply admire the view.
• Use the wait position to create a mental predicament, instructing the submissive to remain perfectly still while you use sensory toys that make it hard not to squirm. Too much movement may earn punishment.
• Use the humble position to completely expose the submissive’s genitals for the Dominant to use however they please.

Once you understand these positions, you can incorporate them seamlessly into scenes with a single command, opening an incredible range of possibilities for power exchange, eroticism, and creativity.

Submission At Moments Notice

Submissive positions may seem simple on the surface, but they offer an incredible amount of depth, purpose, and pleasure within a D/s dynamic. Whether used in daily protocol, woven into intimate rituals, or incorporated into elaborate scenes, these poses create structure, amplify erotic tension, and strengthen the bond between Dominant and submissive.

By learning and practicing them, you build a shared language—one that removes uncertainty, enhances trust, and allows both partners to slip more easily into their roles. And beyond their functional benefits, these positions are simply fun. With a single command, you can shift the energy, heighten anticipation, or launch into an entirely new experience.

Mastering these positions doesn’t require perfection—just curiosity, communication, and a willingness to explore. Start with the basics, adapt them to your bodies and dynamic, and let them become another tool that makes your D/s connection richer, hotter, and more deeply satisfying.