8 Tips To Master The Coital Alignment Technique (CAT Position)

Sex education has come a long way. Now, we can talk about and share all the fun, creative and different ways to achieve pleasure or have an orgasm—and often, it has nothing to do with penetration.

When it does include penis-in-vagina sex, however, there are plenty of ways to maximize your pleasure and increase the possibility of reaching the finish line, especially for people with vulvas.

A variation on the missionary position, coital alignment technique (CAT) is a penis-in-vagina sex position where the penetrating partner grinds their penis up against the vulva owner's clitoris during penetration to help the vulva owner reach orgasm. 

Sometimes referred to as "grinding the corn," CAT changes the in-and-out thrusting of traditional penis-in-vagina sex to a rocking motion that more resembles dry humping.

"The partner with the penis attempts to grind his pubic bone into the vulva of the woman," explains Marcus, "and since that stimulates the clitoris, it's more likely to create the possibility of an orgasm [for] the woman."

So, how different can a variation be? Not terribly so, but there's enough of a twist to help you and your partner experience pleasure in a new way. 

According to Marla Renee Stewart, M.A., sexologist and expert for sexual wellness brand and retailer Lovers, the main difference between the coital alignment technique and the missionary position is that CAT sex mainly focuses on the clitoris, plus the penis is pointing downward in the vagina instead of upward. 

However, it's similar to missionary sex because one person is on their back and the other person is on top, facing their partner.

Breaking it down, Grove says, "With CAT sex, the partner on top—the one using their penis or dildo—focuses on clitoral stimulation while penetrating the vagina." With missionary, on the other hand, "The person on top may not use their weight to put pressure on the clitoris or may use their fingers to stimulate manually." 

Here's why the clitoris is such a pleasure button: The external part of the clitoris, called the glans or head, is partially covered by a hood and filled with more nerve endings than you can imagine.

This hood connects to the labia minora (the inner lips of a vulva), and anything that stimulates the labia directly stimulates the clitoris, too. 

Clitorises are considered one of the most sensitive erogenous zones, which makes it easy to understand why the grinding and rocking part of CAT sex is perfect for anyone who seeks stimulation that way.

Like in the missionary position, exploring this sex technique means you and your partner are rubbing and grinding up against each other.

But rather than being focused on thrusting, the heightened closeness of your bodies and genitals gliding against each other is likely to increase your pleasure and pull you deeper into the moment. That might make the sex feel more intimate, if that's what you're into.

Who doesn't love enjoying something in more ways than one? The coital alignment technique enables tons of variety and caters to the multiple ways you can spice up sex.

Grove points out that the coital alignment technique takes practice, because "it requires knowing your and your partner's bodies well to apply pressure in the right areas and get the right amount of rocking and friction." 

To do the CAT sex position, one partner lies on their back with their legs open, and the other lays atop them. Instead of the thrusting common to the missionary position, the person with the penis (or dildo) grinds the penis against the clitoris until it penetrates it. 

Here's where the coital alignment comes in: The top partner should angle their hips so their pelvis is directly on top of the bottom partner's pelvis. During penetration, the penis-holder should have their chin above their partner's head and their chest in the other's face.

The coital alignment technique is perfect for a slower pace that heightens clit-focused pleasure.

Before you get to the penetrative part of the coital alignment technique, Stewart says to have oral sex first.

Oral is a great way for you and your partner to open yourselves up to each other before exploring other kinds of sex, especially if you're trying something new.

For people with back-facing vulvas, Stewart recommends "using a pillow to angle the vagina and vulva upward to gain better access." To do this, place a pillow under the tailbone of the bottom partner to help tilt their hips up at the right angle. 

CAT sex can be as versatile as you and your partner want it to be, so don't hesitate to incorporate any or all of these sex toys and enhancement practices—or get creative to find what works for you. 

While CAT might work for some, Stewart believes the technique is "a rather aged technique that hasn't shown promised results." 

Despite the realities of this technique, give it a try if you think it'll lead to more pleasure for you and your partner. 

The coital alignment technique is a great option for any couple who wants to explore clit-focused sex. However, if you come out on the other side and realize it's not for you, that's fine! There are myriad other sex techniques awaiting exploration.