THREESOMES MAY GET all the mainstream glory when it comes to group sex, but why not add one more person to the mix? Yes, we’re talking about foursomes—a double-the-fun configuration traditionally reserved for porn, but becoming increasingly common in your average bedroom. The beauty of the foursome is that it leaves a little more room for creativity and opportunities for mutual pleasure than threesomes, but is more intimate than a full-on orgy. With two times the limbs (and genitalia), foursomes can be both exciting and intimidating at the same time. Fortunately, there are certain positions specifically designed for foursomes, which can help eliminate the guesswork and minimize any awkwardness.
We know what you’re thinking. How exactly does one go about making a foursome happen? There are lots of different approaches. If you’re in a relationship, you might seek out another swinging couple that’s equally eager to experiment—or two single folks who are down to play. (These are the best apps to meet other swingers, FYI.) And of course, sometimes a foursome is just a pile of four strangers—say, people who meet at a sex party—looking for a wild romp.
However you go about assembling your horny quartet, experts agree that foursomes require communication and careful consideration to ensure a comfortable, safe, and positive experience for all involved. Amber Shine, an ACS-certified sex therapist and manager at XFansHub, recommends having an open discussion beforehand about fantasies, concerns, and boundaries.
Does one person like receiving oral, but not giving? Does one couple feel comfortable touching and kissing the other people involved but not having penetrative sex with anyone outside of their relationship? Is anal out of the question for anyone? How does everyone feel about using lube, or bringing sex toys into the mix? These are the types of things you’ll want to get a handle on before you start tearing your clothes off. Renée Denyer, an award-winning manager and sex educator with Sh! Women’s Store, also suggests establishing a safe word that everyone can use when they need to press pause because something isn’t feeling right—particularly if you plan to engage in BDSM.
The logistics of foursomes can obviously get a little complicated, so it’s a good idea to keep things moving and take turns in different positions to make sure everyone has a chance to get off.
“It’s okay to break off into pairs when you’re in a foursome—you don’t have to all be in constant contact with one another,” says Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D., Resident Sexologist for ASTROGLIDE. “And of course, some people will opt to play as a threesome while the fourth watches or takes a break. Regardless of how many people you’re playing with, check in with one another regularly. A simple, ‘do you like this?’ or ‘you good?’ can be a good start.”
If your sexual philosophy is “the more the merrier,” read on for some fun positions that’ll make your next foursome nothing short of memorable.
Tray Fisk The Happy Gang
Benefits: “This position is great for everyone to get action at the same time—and without any gymnastics required,” says Searah Deysach, sex educator and owner of Early to Bed.
How to try it: Person 1 lies on their back, while person 2 rides them in cowgirl position. Person 3 gets on their hands and knees and straddles person 1’s face to receive oral. Meanwhile, person 4 stands in front of person 3, who performs oral sex on them. How’s that for a fitting name? A happy gang indeed.
Tray Fisk Viva La Voyeur
Benefits: This one involves dual penetration, so Deysach notes that you’ll need to make sure at least one person in your foursome is down for that.
How to try it: Person 1 lies on their back while person 2 rides them. Person 3 performs anal sex on person 2. Person 4 can sit nearby and masturbate while enjoying the show. At some point, partners can rotate so person 4 gets in on the action.
Head Over Heels
Tray Fisk Benefits: Denyer loves this position because everyone is giving pleasure at the same time—and can continually mix it up with their hands and mouth to keep things interesting. Plus, doggy style is excellent for deep penetration and G-spot stimulation.
How to try it: Person 1 lies flat on a bed, with their head hanging over the edge. Person 2 stands over them at the edge of the bed, while person 1 uses their hands and mouth to pleasure them. Person 2 can lean forward to play with person 1's nipples. Meanwhile, person 3 kneels over person 1 at the other end of the bed, playing with their vulva/clitoris or penis/balls. Person 4 stands behind person 3, penetrating them doggy style. To kick things up a notch, Denyer recommends having person 4 reach around and use a vibrator on person 3’s clitoris while they go to town.
Ride It
Tray Fisk Benefits: What makes this position special is that persons 2, 3, and 4 can kiss and stroke each other—plus they all have access to person 1's genitals.
Denyer suggests leveling this position up with one or two thigh harnesses for persons 3 and/or 4.
“This way, they can hump and grind on dildos of their choosing,” she explains. “They're in control of depth and speed, and person 2 gets to watch all the fun unfold.”
How to try it: Person 1 lies on their back. Person 2 then kneels over their face so person 1 can use their hands or mouth to pleasure them. Person 3 and 4 each straddle one of person 1's legs and grind away.
The Diamond
Tray Fisk Benefits: “This position allows for a lot of intimacy and eye contact between partners, as well as the opportunity for multiple points of contact and stimulation,” says Parmeet Kauer, a sexual wellness expert and pelvic floor specialist at Brentwood Physiotherapy Clinic.
How to try it: Person 1 and 2 lie on their backs, feet to feet, with their legs spread wide to form a diamond shape. Person 3 and 4 straddle them, back to back with each other and facing their partners. At any point, persons 3 and 4 can turn their heads around for a passionate makeout with each other, or to fondle each other. They can also use their hands to stimulate the clitoris, balls, or nipples of persons 1 and 2 while they ride them.
The Wheelbarrow
Tray Fisk Benefits: The only drawback to doggy style is you miss out on sexy eye contact. This position combines the deep penetration of doggy with the intimacy of gazing into a partner’s eyes.
How to try it: Persons 1 and 2 get on their knees, facing each other. They can hold hands, or if that proves too challenging, they can rest their hands on the bed. While they look into each other’s eyes, they can kiss or whisper dirty nothings as persons 3 and 4 enter them from behind.
Cowgirl Carousel
Tray Fisk Benefits: “This position offers ample opportunities for stimulation and visual enjoyment,” says Melissa Cook, an AASECT-certified sex therapist and contributor at FunwithFeet. “Use pillows or cushions to adjust the heights of participants for optimal comfort, and experiment with different angles and depths of penetration to find the perfect fit.”
How to try it: Person 1 lies on their back, while person 2 straddles them in a reverse cowgirl position, being penetrated vaginally or anally. Person 3 straddles person 1's face to receive oral sex. Person 4 can either stand in front of person 3 or person 2 to receive oral stimulation.
Tray Fisk Mirrored Spoon
Benefits: “This sexual position is highly versatile and can be adjusted according to individual preferences,” says Kanusha YK, a therapist specializing in sexual wellness at Allo Health.
How to try it: Persons 1 and 2 lie on their sides, facing each other, while persons 3 and 4 lie behind them in a spooning position. While persons 3 and 4 penetrate persons 1 and 2 from the rear, persons 1 and 2 can kiss and use their hands to explore each other’s bodies. Meanwhile, persons 3 and 4 can reach around and caress their own partners or each other's.
Tray Fisk The Train
Benefits: Shine calls this one of her favorite foursome positions for a very good reason: it allows every single person to give and receive some kind of stimulation simultaneously.
How to try it: Person 1 lies on their back. Person 2 straddles their face for some oral stimulation, while person 3 rides them reverse cowgirl style. Person 4 kneels between person 1's legs—from there, they can play with person 3, whether that entails making out with each other or using their hands to pleasure each other.
Choo Choo
Tray Fisk Benefits: This penetration-packed position offers a killer view for pretty much everyone involved. O’Reilly advises rotating roles at some point, so the person in the front gets a chance to be the giver and the person in the caboose gets to receive.
How to try it: All four partners kneel one in front of the other to penetrate each other from behind. From here, they can alternate stroking, fondling, and kissing the person in front of them as well as behind them