Clover Leaf

Clover leaf is a position where one partner is on top, starting out like 69 before shifting to somewhere slower and lower. One partner reclines with their legs spread and props themselves up on their elbows for support. The other partner climbs on top facing their partner's head, the way you would for 69, then slides their hips down toward their partner's legs. That slide is what changes the angle of entry to something lower and more gradual than most face-to-face positions offer, and it hands control of depth and pace to the partner on top.

It's a beginner-friendly position and doesn't call for flexibility, special strength, or any particular setup, just two people willing to move slowly together. That slow, partner-paced rocking is also why clover leaf comes up alongside tantric sex. Tantra is about taking things slowly, as Healthline's guide to tantric sex explains, and clover leaf's unhurried, partner-controlled rhythm is the kind of pace that approach is built around. The supported position naturally lends itself to slower, gentler movements rather than fast or deep thrusting, making it a better fit for couples who prefer a more relaxed pace.

Getting into the Clover Leaf position is all about finding a comfortable angle together, with the partner on top guiding the pace and depth as you go.

1. The reclining partner lies back with their legs spread and props themselves up on their elbows. This keeps their chest lifted and gives them a stable base to rest against.
2. The other partner climbs on top, straddling their partner and facing toward their head, the same orientation you'd use for 69.
3. From there, the top partner slides their body down toward the reclining partner's legs. This move defines clover leaf: it lowers the angle of entry and puts the top partner in charge of how deep and how fast things go.
4. Once you've settled into the new angle, let the movement be a slow rock rather than a thrust. Because of how the reclining partner is braced and how low the top partner's body sits, fast or deep thrusting is hard to manage here anyway, so leaning into a slower rhythm works with the position instead of against it.

Because Clover Leaf lowers the entry angle and limits how much leverage either partner has, a little extra glide can make it easier to settle into. A water-based lubricant is a solid choice for this position, both for the angle itself and for condom compatibility. Oil-based lubricants, including petroleum jelly and some lotions, can weaken latex and cause a condom to break, according to the CDC's condom-use guidance. Water-based formulas don't carry that risk.

Adam & Eve carries a few water-based options worth considering, including Adam & Eve Lubricant, Adam & Eve Masturbation Lubricant, and Adam & Eve Personal Lubricant. All three are water-based, so any of them works as a general-purpose choice for this position. All three options can work well, so the best choice comes down to your personal preferences and what feels most comfortable for you.

Clover Leaf asks partners to communicate as they move, since sliding into a new angle together works best when both people are on the same page about how it feels. Check in as things shift rather than assuming the new position feels as good as the last one did. Consent is ongoing, not something settled once at the start. As loveisrespect.org puts it, consent means communication every step of the way, and either partner can stop an activity at any time, even after agreeing to it. If the angle, the pace, or anything else about Clover Leaf stops feeling good, that's reason enough to pause, adjust, or stop, no explanation required.

If you search for Clover Leaf elsewhere, you may come across a different position described under the same name. This guide covers the version above, where one partner is on top and slides into a lower, more gradual angle, not a different layout some other sites describe under the same term. Position names aren't standardized across the internet, so it's worth knowing which version you're reading about before you try it.

If Clover Leaf's slow pace or lowered angle isn't what you're looking for tonight, there are other options that offer a different kind of control or intensity. Thigh Master and Jumping Rabbit both work from a different angle and rhythm, while Booty Bow Wow and Hissing Cobra offer their own takes on control and pacing.

Not every position works for everyone, and that's okay! If Clover Leaf isn't the right fit, these alternatives give you a few other options to explore together.

The Clover Leaf position is relatively simple to get into, and a water-based lubricant can help reduce friction and make movement more comfortable for both partners. Water-based lubes are also compatible with latex condoms. Want to explore your options? Browse water-based sex lubes at Adam & Eve and find one that feels right for you.