Positions aren’t just about aesthetics. Each one serves a purpose.
That’s the distinction most Doms miss when they start training submissive positions. They see positions as performance - a way to make their submissive look a certain way, display their body, demonstrate their submission visually. All of that can be true. But it’s incomplete.
Positions are functional. They’re psychological tools. They’re communication methods. They’re gateways to headspace. They’re practical solutions to specific situations. When you understand the purpose behind each position, you can deploy them strategically instead of arbitrarily.
A submissive kneeling isn’t just pretty. That position creates a specific physical state that encourages a submissive mental state. The body leads the mind. When they kneel, they drop. When they prostrate themselves, they access humility and worship. When they stand at attention, they become alert and ready.
This guide teaches you not just what the essential positions are, but why they matter, how to teach them effectively, when to use each one, and how to customize them for your dynamic. This isn’t a museum catalog of poses. This is a practical toolkit for building protocol that actually works.
Why Positions Matter
Positions are where the abstract concept of submission becomes concrete physical reality. They’re the bridge between the idea of a power dynamic and the lived experience of one.
Physical Expression of the Dynamic
When your submissive assumes a position you’ve taught them, they’re physically embodying the power exchange. Their body is literally taking a shape that demonstrates your authority. This isn’t metaphorical - it’s visceral.
Standing positions create alertness and readiness. Kneeling positions create surrender and attentiveness. Floor positions create vulnerability and submission. Each position puts the body in a state that the mind recognizes and responds to.
You can tell someone “I’m in charge” a hundred times. Or you can teach them a position that makes that reality undeniable every time they assume it. The body doesn’t lie. When they’re on their knees looking up at you, the power dynamic isn’t a concept - it’s their lived reality in that moment.
Creates Submissive Headspace
Positions are one of the most reliable ways to shift someone into submissive headspace. They’re a physical trigger that creates a psychological response.
When a submissive who’s been properly trained assumes their position, their mind follows their body. The act of kneeling initiates a cascade of associations and responses. They remember every time they’ve knelt before. They access the feelings associated with that posture. Their nervous system recognizes the pattern and responds accordingly.
This is why consistent use of the same positions matters. You’re creating conditioned responses. Over time, the position itself becomes a shortcut to the mental state you want to create. One command - “Position” - and they’re there. Mind shifted, ready, submissive.
Some submissives struggle to drop into submission on demand. Positions solve that problem. You’re not asking them to feel submissive. You’re asking them to assume a specific physical posture. The feeling follows the form.
Practical Applications in Scenes
Positions aren’t just protocol exercises. They’re practical tools during actual scenes.
You need your submissive accessible for impact play? Bent over position. You want them vulnerable and exposed for sensation play? Spread position. You’re binding them and need them stable? All fours gives you access and stability. Each position serves specific practical needs.
Good Doms think ahead. What will you need access to? What posture keeps them safe during this specific activity? What position allows you to do what you’re planning while keeping them comfortable enough to sustain it for the required duration?
Positions are your scene architecture. They determine what’s possible, what’s safe, what works. Teaching positions isn’t just about protocol - it’s about building the practical toolkit that makes your scenes function.
Protocol and Ritual Significance
Positions transform routine interactions into ritual moments. The submissive who kneels when you arrive home isn’t just greeting you. They’re participating in a ritual that marks the transition from vanilla day to D/s dynamic.
Ritual creates meaning. When the same action happens in the same context repeatedly, it accumulates significance. The first time they kneel, it might feel awkward or performative. By the hundredth time, it’s sacred. It’s the marker that says “we’re in our roles now.”
Protocol positions - waiting positions, greeting positions, attention positions - create structure around everyday moments. They transform the mundane into the meaningful. Coming home becomes a ritual. Waiting for instruction becomes a meditation. Presenting themselves becomes an offering.
This is how you build a 24/7 dynamic that actually functions. Not through constant intense scenes, but through small ritualized moments woven throughout normal life. Positions are the threads you weave with.
Non-Verbal Communication
Positions are a language. Once established, you can communicate complex instructions with minimal words.
“Nadu” means one thing. “Present” means another. “Prostrate” means something else entirely. One word conveys position, attitude, and expectation. No explanation required. No ambiguity.
This matters during scenes when you don’t want to break the mood with lengthy instructions. It matters when you’re in public and need subtle communication. It matters when they’re in deep subspace and complex verbal processing is difficult.
You build this language together by assigning consistent names to positions and using them consistently. Over time, the vocabulary expands. You develop shorthand. Eventually, just a gesture or a look can indicate the position you want. That’s fluency.
Meditative and Grounding Effect
Many submissives report that holding positions - especially waiting positions - creates a meditative state. The body is still. The mind quiets. They drop into themselves.
This isn’t accidental. Sustained physical stillness naturally quiets mental chatter. When the body isn’t moving, the mind has less to track. Attention turns inward. The experience becomes almost meditative.
Some submissives use positions as emotional regulation tools. When they’re anxious or overwhelmed, assuming a familiar position grounds them. The physical familiarity creates psychological safety. Their body knows this shape. Their mind recognizes the pattern. They settle.
You can leverage this deliberately. Use waiting positions during aftercare for submissives who need to process internally. Use grounding positions when they’re emotionally activated and need to center. The position becomes a tool for their wellbeing, not just your control.
The Essential Positions
These are the foundational positions every Dom should know and most dynamics will use in some form. Learn these first. Master them. Then customize or add as your specific dynamic requires.
Kneeling Positions
Kneeling is the foundational submissive posture. Most position systems center on variations of kneeling because it’s psychologically potent, practically useful, and physically sustainable for most people.
1. Standard Kneel (Nadu)
Position: Knees apart (typically shoulder-width or wider), sitting on heels, back straight, hands resting on thighs (palms up or down depending on your preference), eyes forward or downcast.
Purpose: This is the basic waiting and attention position. It’s where submissives rest when not actively engaged in a task but expected to remain available and attentive.
Variations:
- Palms up on thighs - receptive, open, waiting to receive
- Palms down on thighs - grounded, settled, composed
- Hands behind back - more formal, restricted, vulnerable
- Hands behind head - exposing, vulnerable, display-oriented
When to use: Starting position for most training sessions. Waiting for instruction. During protocol time when they should be available but not actively engaged. As a default position they return to between tasks or activities.
Teaching notes: Most submissives find this position sustainable for longer periods than more demanding positions. It’s a good foundation position to teach first. Pay attention to their flexibility - some people can’t comfortably sit on their heels due to ankle flexibility or knee issues. Modifications with cushions or allowing them to sit between their heels instead of on them can help.
The psychological impact comes from the wide knees (vulnerable, exposed, open) combined with the upright posture (attentive, ready, composed). It’s submissive but not degraded. Available but not desperate. This balance makes it versatile.
2. Present / Inspection
Position: Kneeling with knees wide apart, hands clasped behind head or behind back, chest pushed forward, back arched to display the torso, eyes forward or downcast as commanded.
Purpose: Offering the body for inspection, appreciation, or access. This is an explicitly vulnerable and exposing position designed to display and present.
When to use: Before scenes when you want to inspect them. When you want them to feel exposed and vulnerable. When granting access to their body. During punishment when you want them to feel the weight of your scrutiny.
Teaching notes: This position is psychologically intense. The wide knees and thrust-forward posture feel deeply exposing even when clothed. Start by using it in lower-stakes moments so they can build familiarity with the vulnerability it creates.
Hands behind head versus behind back creates different energy. Behind head is more open and offering. Behind back is more restrained and controlled. Choose based on the mood you’re creating.
Many submissives report that this position makes them feel simultaneously vulnerable and powerful - vulnerable to your gaze, powerful in their willingness to offer themselves. That duality is part of what makes it psychologically rich.
3. Tower / Attention
Position: Kneeling upright, not sitting back on heels, thighs vertical, hands at sides (palms against thighs) or behind back (clasped or held at small of back), back rigidly straight, eyes forward at your eye level or downcast as commanded.
Purpose: Maximum alertness and readiness. This position requires more active muscle engagement than standard kneel, creating physical tension that translates to mental alertness.
When to use: When receiving important instructions. During formal moments of the dynamic. When you want them highly attentive and focused. As a more formal alternative to standard kneel.
Teaching notes: This position is physically demanding. The upright kneeling posture requires quad strength and balance. Most people can’t sustain it as long as standard kneel.
Use it for shorter durations or for specific moments that require peak attention. The physical effort required keeps their mind engaged with their body, which for some submissives helps with focus and others find distracting. Know your submissive.
The vertical thighs create a taller silhouette than standard kneel. This changes the visual dynamic - they’re closer to eye level with you if you’re standing close. Some Doms prefer this for certain interactions, others prefer the lower standard kneel. Experiment.
Standing Positions
Standing positions are necessary for many dynamics and scenes. They’re less obviously submissive than kneeling positions, so the submission comes through in the details - posture, hand placement, eye contact.
4. Attention / Stand
Position: Feet together or shoulder-width apart (specify which), hands at sides (palms against thighs) or behind back (clasped at lower back or small of back), shoulders back, back straight, eyes forward or downcast as commanded.
Purpose: Formal attention while standing. The standing equivalent of tower position - alert, ready, attentive.
When to use: When standing is required - in public, during scenes where kneeling isn’t practical, when you want them upright. For inspection while clothed. During protocol moments that require them to be mobile.
Teaching notes: This seems simple but posture details matter. Shoulders back opens the chest and creates a more confident, offered posture. Eyes down creates submission. The combination of confident posture with submissive gaze creates the tension that makes this position psychologically effective.
Hands behind back is more restrictive and formal. Hands at sides is more neutral but still structured. Choose based on formality level.
Many submissives report that standing positions feel less obviously submissive, which makes them useful in semi-public situations. To an observer, they’re just standing. To you and them, they’re in position. This can create delicious secret-in-public tension.
5. Display
Position: Standing with legs apart (wider than shoulder-width), hands clasped behind head or held up and out, chest thrust forward, back slightly arched to present the body, eyes forward or wherever commanded.
Purpose: Standing version of present/inspection. Full body display while upright. Vulnerable and exposing.
When to use: When you want full body access while they’re standing. For inspection before going out. When you want them to feel exposed and vulnerable but need them upright. During scenes that require standing access.
Teaching notes: The wide stance creates instability - they have to engage their core to maintain balance. This physical engagement keeps them present in their body.
Hands behind head versus arms out to sides creates different energy. Behind head is more classic “inspection” posture. Arms out is more exposed and vulnerable. Both work.
This position is tiring. The arched back and engaged core fatigue quickly. Use for shorter durations unless building endurance is part of your training.
Floor Positions
Floor positions are the most physically submissive. They put the submissive at the lowest level, often making eye contact impossible unless you lower yourself. Psychologically potent. Use deliberately.
6. Prostrate / Bow
Position: Lying face-down on floor, forehead touching ground, arms either extended straight forward (full prostration) or at sides (compact prostration), legs together or slightly apart, completely flat against the floor.
Purpose: Deepest physical submission. Worship position. Greeting high protocol Dominants. Expressing apology or asking forgiveness. Demonstrating ultimate surrender.
When to use: Greeting rituals in high protocol dynamics. Moments of worship or devotion. When you want them to feel the full weight of submission. After serious rule violations when they’re seeking forgiveness. In scenes that call for ultimate surrender.
Teaching notes: This position is psychologically intense. Their face is literally pressed to the floor. They can’t see you. They’re completely vulnerable and exposed. Build up to using it - don’t make it the first position you teach.
The extended arms version (full prostration) feels more vulnerable and worshipful. The arms-at-sides version (compact) is easier to sustain and slightly less intense. Both work.
Some submissives find this position profoundly moving - it accesses deep submission and can create cathartic emotional release. Others find it uncomfortable or humiliating in ways that don’t serve them. Know your submissive. Not every position serves every dynamic.
7. Rest / Relax
Position: This is actually a category - any comfortable floor position that allows them to relax while remaining attentive. Common versions include: sitting cross-legged, sitting with legs to the side, lying on their side, curled at your feet.
Purpose: Recovery between protocol periods. Comfortable waiting during long scenes. Aftercare position. Demonstrates that protocol can include comfort.
When to use: Between intense protocol moments. During aftercare for submissives who find floor positions comforting. Long scenes where sustainable comfort matters. When you want them nearby but relaxed.
Teaching notes: Many Doms neglect rest positions, thinking every position should be formal or demanding. This is a mistake. Sustainable dynamics include rest.
Define what “rest” means in your dynamic. Is it complete relaxation or still somewhat formal? Can they shift positions or should they stay in whatever rest position they assumed? Do they need permission to move or is rest position their time to self-regulate?
Being specific about rest prevents confusion. They need to know what’s expected even during rest.
Practical / Scene Positions
These positions are task-specific. They’re designed for particular activities rather than for general protocol.
8. Bent Over
Position: Bent at the waist, approximately 90 degrees, hands gripping ankles, edge of furniture, or braced against wall, legs straight or slightly bent, back can be flat or arched depending on your instruction.
Purpose: Access for spanking, impact play, anal play, or inspection. Vulnerable and exposing. Creates optimal angle for many impact activities.
Variations:
- Over knee (OTK) - across your lap, supported
- Bent over furniture - table, bed, bench for stability
- Standing bent - no support, requires core strength
- Hands against wall - vertical surface instead of horizontal
When to use: Spanking and impact scenes. Anal play requiring this angle. When you want them vulnerable but accessible. Inspection with a focus on lower body.
Teaching notes: Balance and flexibility matter. Not everyone can bend to 90 degrees while keeping legs straight. Allow bent knees if needed - safety and sustainability matter more than aesthetics.
This position puts blood rushing to their head, which can cause dizziness during long scenes. Check in if using for extended periods. Have them rise slowly to prevent head rush.
The grab-ankles version requires hamstring flexibility most people don’t have. Modify as needed - hands on shins, knees, or furniture is fine. The position serves the purpose; perfect form is secondary to function.
9. All Fours
Position: On hands and knees, back flat or slightly arched, head up or down as commanded, knees typically hip-width apart, hands shoulder-width apart, weight distributed evenly.
Purpose: Versatile access position. Stable enough to sustain during impact play, bondage, or other activities. Can be used for pet play. Allows movement if commanded.
Variations:
- Chest down, ass up - face and chest to floor, hips elevated
- Full table - back completely flat, head aligned with spine
- Head down - forehead to floor, ass elevated
- Pet position - more relaxed, mobile version for pet play
When to use: Impact play requiring stability. Pet play scenarios. Bondage positions where you need them stable. Scenes requiring rear access. Positions you’ll maintain during activities.
Teaching notes: This position is more tiring than it looks. Wrists, shoulders, knees, and core all work to maintain it. Use padding under knees for longer scenes. Consider wrist fatigue - some people can’t sustain this long.
For extended scenes, the chest-down variation reduces upper body fatigue. They rest on forearms instead of hands, which is more sustainable.
All fours feels less formal than kneeling positions but more active than floor positions. It’s a good mid-level position for submissives who find floor positions too intense but want something more submissive than standing.
10. Spread
Position: Lying on back, legs spread wide (knees bent and falling outward or legs straight and apart), arms above head or out to sides, completely open and exposed, can be on floor, bed, or furniture.
Purpose: Maximum vulnerability and access. Sexual scenes, inspection, medical play, sensory play. The most exposing position for most people.
Variations:
- Legs straight spread - more tension, more difficult to sustain
- Knees bent, falling open - more relaxed, more sustainable
- Ankles restrained wide - enforced spreading
- Arms above head vs. out to sides - different vulnerability
When to use: Sexual scenes requiring access. Medical play scenarios. When you want maximum psychological vulnerability. Inspection focusing on genitals. Sensation play requiring stillness and access.
Teaching notes: This is psychologically intense even when clothed. The wide-open posture hits vulnerability buttons hard for most submissives. Build trust before using it.
Hip flexibility varies dramatically. Don’t force spread beyond their comfortable range - you’ll cause injury. What looks like resistance might be physical limitation. Ask.
Sustainability matters. Holding legs spread while lying down requires inner thigh engagement. Most people can’t sustain it long. Use restraints if you want the position maintained during extended scenes.
Teaching Positions Effectively
Knowing positions is useless if you can’t teach them effectively. Here’s how to train positions so they become second nature.
Demonstrate First
Don’t just describe positions verbally. Show them what you want.
If you can physically demonstrate - even in modified form - do it. Get into an approximation of the position yourself so they can see the overall shape, posture, angles. Even if your demonstration isn’t perfect, seeing it helps.
If you can’t or don’t want to demonstrate physically, use other methods:
- Show them photos or illustrations of the position
- Guide them into position while describing what you’re doing
- Compare to common positions they might know from other contexts
Visual and kinesthetic learning are more effective than verbal for most people. Combine methods for best results.
After demonstrating, have them try it while you observe. Don’t expect perfection immediately. You’re showing them the target, then giving them space to approximate it.
Use Physical Guidance
Words only go so far. Touch teaches better.
When they’re attempting a position, guide them physically into adjustments. Move their hand to the correct placement. Adjust their knee angle with yours. Tilt their chin to the angle you want. Physical guidance creates muscle memory faster than verbal description.
This requires consent and appropriate context. Establish that physical positioning adjustments are part of training. Some submissives find physical guidance helpful and connective. Others find it overwhelming. Know yours.
When physically adjusting:
- Move one thing at a time - don’t overwhelm them with simultaneous adjustments
- Explain what you’re adjusting and why
- Let them feel the correct position, then have them release and reassume it to check if they’ve integrated the adjustment
- Be patient - bodies need time to learn new patterns
Physical guidance isn’t manhandling. It’s teaching through touch. Firm but not forceful. Clear but not rough. You’re guiding, not forcing.
Practice Regularly
Positions become natural through repetition. Regular short practice sessions beat sporadic long ones.
Dedicate specific time to position training separate from scenes. Five to ten minutes several times a week works better than an hour once a month. The regular repetition builds neural pathways.
Practice structure:
- Start with positions they know - build confidence
- Introduce or refine one new position or detail
- Cycle through all current positions
- End with position they’re most comfortable with - end on success
Make practice low-stakes. This isn’t performance time. It’s training time. Mistakes are expected and fine. The goal is learning, not perfection.
As positions become familiar, start using them in context - greeting rituals, scene beginnings, protocol moments. This transfers training to real application.
Build Gradually
Don’t teach all ten positions in week one. Start with two or three foundational positions. Master those before adding more.
Suggested progression:
- Week 1-2: Standard kneel, attention stand
- Week 3-4: Present/inspection (kneeling), rest position
- Week 5-6: Bent over, all fours
- Week 7+: Add additional positions as needed for your dynamic
Each new position should build on skills from previous positions. Standard kneel teaches basic kneeling mechanics. Tower builds on that by adding the upright posture. Present builds on standard kneel by adding the display element.
Layer complexity slowly. Get the basic position shape first. Then refine details - hand placement, eye direction, specific angles. Then add variations. Build the foundation before building the structure.
Connect Position to Purpose
Don’t just drill positions mechanically. Explain why each position exists and when you’ll use it.
“This is present position. You’ll use this when I want to inspect you before a scene, or when I want to appreciate your body, or when you’re offering yourself to me. The wide knees and thrust chest create vulnerability and display. That’s the point.”
When they understand the purpose, the position becomes meaningful instead of arbitrary. They’re not just memorizing shapes - they’re learning a language.
During scenes, occasionally name the purpose: “Present position - I want to appreciate you” or “Prostrate - show me your devotion.” This reinforces the connection between position and meaning.
Over time, the position itself will trigger the associated mental state. They assume present position and feel the vulnerability and offering. They prostrate and access worship. The position becomes a shortcut to the psychological space.
Position Training Tips
Practical advice for the actual training process.
Start with 2-3 Basic Positions
You don’t need ten positions on day one. Start with the absolute essentials for your dynamic.
Recommended starter set:
- One kneeling position (usually standard kneel)
- One standing position (usually attention stand)
- One rest position
That’s it. Three positions that cover the basics: formal attentive waiting (kneel), standing protocol (attention), and comfortable rest.
Master these three before adding more. When these three become automatic - when your submissive can drop into them without thinking - add the next layer.
The goal of early training is proving that positions matter and establishing the habit of responding to position commands. Better to do that with three positions they execute well than seven they execute poorly.
Use Position Names Consistently
Pick names for positions and stick with them. Every time, same name.
Whether you use traditional names (Nadu, Tower, etc.), descriptive names (Waiting Kneel, Inspection Pose), or custom names unique to your dynamic - doesn’t matter. What matters is consistency.
Inconsistent naming slows learning. If you call the same position three different things, they have to figure out which position you mean each time instead of responding automatically. You’re teaching language. Language requires consistent vocabulary.
Once you establish names, use them in all contexts:
- Training sessions: “Show me nadu”
- Real application: “Nadu” (just the command)
- Check-ins: “How did nadu feel tonight?”
- Discussions: “We’re adding a new position called…”
Consistent naming creates the fluency where one word conveys complete instruction. That’s the goal.
Account for Physical Limitations
Not every body can do every position. This is fine. Modify.
Common limitations:
- Knee problems: Can’t kneel or can’t kneel for long - use cushions, allow kneeling on just one knee, create modified versions, or focus on standing positions
- Back issues: Can’t arch back in certain positions or maintain upright posture long - allow supported versions or position modifications
- Flexibility limitations: Can’t bend to required angles or spread legs wide - adjust to their available range of motion
- Strength limitations: Can’t hold positions requiring sustained muscle engagement - reduce duration or add support
- Disabilities or chronic conditions: Require creative modification or alternative positions that serve the same purpose
Modification isn’t failure. It’s intelligent adaptation. The position serves a psychological and practical purpose. If modification allows them to experience that purpose safely, the modification is correct.
Some Doms resist modification, thinking it compromises their dominance. This is ego talking. Real dominance is getting the result you want while keeping your submissive safe and functional. If modification achieves that, it’s the dominant choice.
Use Mirrors If Helpful
Visual feedback accelerates learning for many people.
Position a mirror so your submissive can see themselves while assuming positions during training. This lets them self-correct and understand what the position looks like from outside their body.
Mirrors also add psychological intensity. Many submissives find seeing themselves in submissive positions deeply affecting - it makes the submission visible to them, not just felt.
Some submissives hate mirrors - they’re self-conscious or it breaks their focus. Know your submissive. Mirrors are a tool, not a requirement.
Practice in Scene Context
Eventually, transfer position training from dedicated practice to actual use.
Start incorporating positions into scenes and protocol:
- Use greeting positions when you arrive
- Begin scenes by commanding them into starting position
- Transition between scene activities using position commands
- End scenes with rest position during aftercare
This contextual practice cements the positions as real tools, not just training exercises. It also tests whether they can assume positions in psychological states beyond calm practice mode.
Some positions are easy in practice but difficult when they’re aroused, nervous, or in deep subspace. Contextual practice reveals this. Then you can decide if you need more training or if that difficulty is acceptable in real application.
Customizing Positions
The positions in this guide are templates. Make them yours.
Modify for Physical Limitations
Already covered above, but worth repeating: always customize positions to account for your submissive’s actual body capabilities.
Take any position in this guide and ask:
- Can they physically assume this position safely?
- Can they sustain it for the duration I need?
- Does it cause pain that’s counterproductive?
- What modifications make it accessible while preserving its purpose?
Document your modifications. If you modify nadu to allow cushions under knees, that’s their nadu now. Write it down. Be consistent.
Personal Preferences and Aesthetics
You might love wide-knee kneeling. Your Dom friend might prefer knees-together. Both are valid.
Customize positions to match your aesthetic preferences:
- Hand placement - palms up, down, behind back, behind head
- Knee width - together, shoulder-width, wide
- Eye contact - direct gaze, downcast, eyes closed
- Posture details - arched back, flat back, specific head angles
The standard descriptions in this guide are starting points. Adjust every detail to create the exact look and feel you want.
Some Doms want positions to feel soft and receptive. Others want sharp and formal. Your preferences shape how you define each position.
Scene-Specific Needs
Create positions for activities specific to your dynamic.
Examples:
- Service positions for submissives who perform domestic service (kneeling to polish shoes, standing at ready by the door, etc.)
- Feeding positions for food-related dynamics
- Pet positions if you incorporate pet play
- Specific bondage preparation positions for rope or restraint scenes
- Medical exam positions if you do medical play
These scene-specific positions supplement the foundational positions. They’re specialized tools for specialized purposes.
Define them clearly, name them consistently, practice them like any other position.
Creating Your Own Positions
You’re not limited to traditional positions. Create ones unique to your dynamic.
Process:
- Identify the purpose - what should this position accomplish?
- Design the position - what physical arrangement achieves that purpose?
- Test it - is it physically sustainable, safe, and effective?
- Refine it - adjust based on testing
- Name it - give it a consistent name
- Teach it - train it like any other position
- Use it - incorporate into your dynamic
Your custom positions become part of your unique dynamic language. They’re yours in a way traditional positions aren’t. They reflect your specific relationship and needs.
Naming Your Custom Positions
Names can be traditional (borrowing from established protocols), descriptive (explaining the position), or completely custom (meaningful to your relationship).
Traditional names connect you to broader BDSM culture and make communication easier if you interact with the community. Descriptive names make positions self-explanatory. Custom names create privacy and uniqueness.
Choose what serves your dynamic. There’s no wrong answer as long as you’re consistent.
Using Positions in Practice
How to deploy positions in actual dynamic application.
Position Transitions as Protocol
Use position commands to mark transitions between phases of your time together.
Example protocol:
- When you arrive home → greeting position
- Beginning a scene → starting position
- Between scene activities → attention position while you prepare
- Scene complete → rest position for aftercare
- Day ending → specific sleep preparation position
Position transitions create structure and ritual around key moments. They mark beginnings, endings, and shifts. This prevents dynamics from feeling random or chaotic.
The position itself becomes a transition signal. When they assume greeting position, both of you shift roles. When they move to rest position, the intensity phase is over. The position communicates the phase change without words.
Positions During Scenes
Use positions as scene architecture - the framework that makes your planned activities possible.
Before any scene, consider:
- What position provides the access I need?
- What position can they sustain for the duration I’m planning?
- What position creates the psychological state I want?
- What position is safest for the specific activity?
Match position to purpose. Impact play needs bent over or all fours. Sensory play might need spread or bound positions. Psychological scenes might need positions that create vulnerability even without physical activity.
Don’t be locked into starting positions and maintaining them regardless of need. Transition between positions as the scene requires. “Stand at attention… now present for inspection… now bent over for what comes next.”
Position changes during scenes can create psychological impact of their own. Each transition is another moment of obedience, another opportunity to demonstrate submission.
Positions as Punishment (Stress Positions - Caution)
Some positions become stressful when held for extended periods. These can be used as punishment, but with serious caution.
Stress position punishment involves commanding a position that requires muscular effort - wall sit, tower position, standing with arms raised, all fours - and requiring it be held until muscles fatigue.
Critical safety notes:
- Never use positions that risk injury as punishment
- Watch closely - muscle failure can cause collapse and injury
- Have a safeword and respect it immediately
- Don’t use stress positions while angry or in situations where you can’t monitor
- Be prepared for the psychological intensity - this type of punishment hits hard
Stress positions can be effective because the submissive punishes themselves through their own effort to maintain the position. But misused, they cause injury and trauma.
If you’re new to D/s, skip stress positions entirely until you have much more experience. The risk-to-benefit ratio is poor for beginners. There are safer punishment options.
Positions for Meditation/Grounding
Many submissives find certain positions meditative. Use this deliberately.
Positions that work well for meditation:
- Standard kneel - sustainable, stable, familiar
- Rest positions - comfortable enough to maintain for extended periods
- Prostrate - intense but creates deep internal focus
How to use positions for meditation/grounding:
- Command the position in a quiet space
- Set a duration - even just 5-10 minutes
- Allow or encourage them to focus inward
- Don’t demand stillness perfection - this is about headspace, not performance
- Use for emotional regulation when they’re anxious or overwhelmed
- Incorporate into aftercare for submissives who process internally
Some submissives resist being still. For them, positions feel like punishment rather than meditation. Don’t force it. But for submissives who crave stillness and structure, position-based meditation becomes a tool for their wellbeing.
Public-Friendly Modifications
Most positions are obviously D/s. Public-friendly modifications maintain the psychological impact while appearing vanilla.
Examples:
- Standing attention becomes standing with good posture
- Standard kneel becomes sitting at your feet during a picnic
- Present becomes stretching with arms overhead
- Rest becomes leaning against you
The modification looks innocuous to observers but both of you know what it represents. This creates delicious tension - you’re doing your dynamic in public, hidden in plain sight.
Negotiate public modifications carefully. What’s comfortable for them in private might be too exposing in public even in modified form. Respect their boundaries around public visibility.
Common Mistakes
What to avoid when implementing position training.
Too Many Positions Too Fast
The eager new Dom tries to teach ten positions in week one. The submissive becomes overwhelmed. None of them stick.
Start small. Two to three positions. Master them completely. Then add more slowly. Quality beats quantity every time.
Trying to teach too many positions too fast creates confusion instead of clarity. Your submissive can’t remember which position is which. They stress about getting it wrong. The whole purpose - creating clarity and structure - is defeated.
Slow down. Build the foundation first.
Positions Without Purpose
Making positions arbitrary displays of control with no deeper purpose breeds resentment.
If you can’t articulate why a position exists beyond “because I said so,” rethink whether you need it. Submissives see through empty posturing.
Every position should serve the dynamic somehow:
- Practical function (access for specific activities)
- Psychological purpose (creates specific headspace)
- Protocol value (marks transitions or creates ritual)
- Training benefit (builds discipline or capacity)
When positions have clear purpose, submissives engage with them meaningfully. When they’re arbitrary, compliance becomes mechanical or resentful.
Ignoring Physical Comfort/Safety
Demanding positions that cause pain or injury is stupid dominance, not strong dominance.
Yes, some positions are intentionally uncomfortable. That’s different from injurious. Know the difference.
Warning signs you’re ignoring safety:
- They report sharp pain (not discomfort - pain) in joints or muscles
- They experience numbness or tingling
- They’re shaking uncontrollably trying to maintain position
- They’ve mentioned a physical limitation and you’re dismissing it
- You’re more concerned with aesthetic perfection than their safety
A submissive with damaged knees can’t kneel for you anymore. A submissive with a back injury loses capacity. Protecting their physical capacity is protecting your dynamic’s future.
Strong dominance means getting sustainable compliance while maintaining their health. Push them, yes. Injure them, no.
Inconsistent Commands
Using different names for the same position or accepting wildly varying execution of positions creates confusion.
If nadu means knees-wide-palms-up today and knees-together-palms-down tomorrow, you’re not teaching a position. You’re creating anxiety.
Be consistent in:
- Names you use for positions
- How you want positions executed (within reason for natural variation)
- When and why you use specific positions
- Consequences for position errors
Consistency creates clarity. Clarity creates confidence. Confidence creates better submission.
No Regular Practice
Teaching positions during one training session then never practicing or using them means they’re forgotten.
Positions become second nature through repetition. Use them regularly or lose them.
Build position use into your dynamic:
- Regular brief practice sessions
- Actual use during protocol time
- Incorporation into scenes
- Greeting and parting rituals
If you’re not using positions regularly, either commit to using them or acknowledge they’re not actually important to your dynamic and stop pretending they are.
Common Questions
How long should a sub hold a position?
It depends on the position, your submissive’s fitness, and your purpose.
General guidelines:
Comfortable positions (standard kneel, rest, attention stand): Most people can sustain 15-30 minutes without issue. Some can go much longer.
Demanding positions (tower, present, all fours): 5-15 minutes for most people before fatigue becomes significant.
Stress positions (anything requiring sustained muscular effort): 1-5 minutes typically, though this varies wildly with fitness level.
Active positions (bent over during impact, spread during play): Duration depends on the activity, not the position itself.
Build endurance gradually. Don’t expect 30-minute tower position holds on week one. Start with 2-3 minutes. Add time as their capacity increases.
The goal isn’t maximum endurance unless that’s specifically what you’re training. The goal is sustainable submission. If fatigue prevents them from maintaining the position properly or creates injury risk, it’s time to transition to another position or take a break.
What about subs with physical limitations?
Always modify. Always.
Physical limitations include:
- Knee problems (extremely common)
- Back issues
- Limited flexibility
- Chronic pain conditions
- Disabilities
- Injuries (current or healed but limiting)
For each limitation, ask: what modification makes this position accessible while preserving its purpose?
Examples:
Knee problems:
- Use thick cushions or specialized kneeling pads
- Allow sitting on a low stool instead of heels
- Focus on standing positions rather than kneeling
- Kneeling on one knee only
Back issues:
- Remove arch requirements from positions
- Allow supported versions (leaning against furniture)
- Reduce duration of upright positions
- Focus on positions with back support
Limited flexibility:
- Adjust spread/reach requirements to their actual range
- Use props to bridge gaps (cushions, furniture)
- Accept their maximum range as their position standard
Document modifications. Their version of nadu might include a cushion under knees. That’s their nadu. Write it in your position descriptions.
Never let ego prevent necessary modification. “Real submissives should be able to…” is bullshit. Real submissives work with the bodies they have. Real Dominants work with reality.
Should we name our positions?
Yes. Absolutely.
Named positions create efficiency. One word communicates complete instruction. “Nadu” is faster and clearer than “Kneel down, knees apart, sit on your heels, hands on thighs palms up.”
Names also create ownership. The positions become part of your dynamic’s language. After months of use, “nadu” carries all the accumulated meaning of every time they’ve assumed it.
You can use:
- Traditional names (nadu, tower, prostrate, etc.)
- Descriptive names (waiting kneel, inspection pose, greeting position)
- Custom names unique to your dynamic (use whatever works for you)
Whatever naming system you choose, be consistent. Don’t alternate between calling the same position nadu, waiting kneel, and standard position. Pick one name and stick with it.
How do I correct position without breaking the mood?
Physical guidance and minimal verbal correction work best during scenes.
Physical correction:
- Gently adjust the incorrect element while they’re in position
- Move their hand, adjust their knee angle, tilt their chin
- No words necessary - your touch corrects them
Minimal verbal correction:
- Single-word or brief phrase: “Shoulders back” or “Wider” or “Eyes down”
- Tone matters - firm but not angry, instructional but not harsh
- Immediately return to the scene once correction is made
What NOT to do:
- Don’t launch into detailed explanation mid-scene about why the position should be different
- Don’t break the mood with frustration: “No, that’s wrong, I told you this position is…”
- Don’t repeat corrections more than once - if they can’t execute it after two corrections, move on and address it post-scene
If position errors are frequent enough to disrupt scenes, you need more practice outside of scenes. Don’t use scenes as primary training time - they’re for application of already-learned skills.
Post-scene, in aftercare or debrief, address recurring position errors: “I noticed during tonight’s scene that your knees kept closing during present position. Let’s practice that tomorrow so it feels more natural.”
Separate training from application. Train in low-stakes practice sessions. Apply in scenes. Corrections during application should be minimal and non-disruptive.
Key Takeaways
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Positions serve specific purposes beyond aesthetics. Each position creates physical states that generate psychological states, provides practical access for activities, and communicates specific aspects of the power dynamic. Understand the purpose before teaching the position.
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Start with 2-3 foundational positions and build gradually. Master basic positions completely before adding complexity. Standard kneel, attention stand, and rest position cover most needs while you’re building foundation. Add more only when these are automatic.
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Physical guidance teaches faster than verbal description. Show them positions, then guide them physically into corrections. Bodies learn through movement and touch more effectively than through words. Combine demonstration, physical guidance, and regular practice.
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Always modify for physical limitations. Not every body can execute every position. Modification isn’t failure - it’s intelligent adaptation. The position serves a purpose; modification allows them to experience that purpose safely.
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Use consistent names and enforce consistently. Pick position names and stick with them. Use positions regularly in your dynamic. Consistency creates fluency - eventually one word conveys complete instruction and triggers automatic response.
Positions are a language you build together. Each position is a word. Combined, they create sentences. Eventually you develop fluency - communication becomes effortless because you both know the vocabulary.
But language only works when it’s used. Positions you teach but never deploy are wasted effort. Positions you use inconsistently create confusion. Positions you enforce arbitrarily breed resentment.
Teach with purpose. Use with intention. Modify with wisdom. And build the position vocabulary that serves your unique dynamic, one position at a time.
Your submissive’s body is waiting for direction. Give it clearly.
