Let’s be honest. Most of what passes for "life-changing" advice in the bedroom is just a rehash of stuff you already know. But then there’s the Coital Alignment Technique (CAT). It sounds clinical, almost like a manual for a car engine. It isn’t. If you’ve been hunting for a coital alignment technique video, you’ve probably noticed a trend: a lot of people are just guessing. They show you a modified missionary position and call it a day. That’s not it.
The CAT is specific. It’s a rhythmic, grinding movement designed by Edward Eichel to maximize clitoral stimulation during penetration. It’s about "pressure, not thrusting." That distinction is why so many people give up on it—they try to jackhammer their way through a technique meant for subtle, rocking contact.
✨ Don't miss: Raw Milk Deaths: What the Data Actually Says About the Risks
What a Coital Alignment Technique Video Usually Misses
If you watch a random coital alignment technique video on a mainstream site, they often skip the "alignment" part. The term isn't just fancy branding. It refers to the specific way the bodies must overlap to create the "grind."
In the standard version, the person on top moves up higher than usual. Their chest is literally further up toward the partner's head. Why? To align the base of the penis with the clitoris. Most videos show the couple in a standard missionary setup, which completely misses the mechanical point of the whole exercise. If your pelvic bones aren't making direct, consistent contact, you’re just doing missionary with less leg room.
The secret is the "rocking." It's a see-saw motion. When the person on top moves down, the partner moves up. It requires coordination. It’s basically a dance. If you’re looking for a video tutorial, look for one that emphasizes the downward stroke of the pelvis rather than the depth of penetration. Depth doesn't matter here. Friction does.
The Science of the "CAT"
Edward Eichel didn't just pull this out of thin air. He worked with psychotherapist Casler to document how this position could bridge the "orgasm gap." We know from plenty of studies—including the famous 2017 study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy—that the majority of women don't reach orgasm through penetration alone. The CAT is the anatomical workaround for that. It turns a "penetrative" act into a "clitoral" one.
How to Actually Perform the Technique Without Getting Frustrated
First, get into missionary. Now, the person on top needs to slide upward until their weight is supported more by the partner’s body than by their own elbows. This feels weird at first. It’s heavy.
Then comes the "override."
The person on top doesn't thrust out. They stay "in." The movement is a tiny, rhythmic rock. Think of it like a massage rather than a workout. You’re trying to create a constant, grinding pressure. If you lose contact, you’ve gone too far.
💡 You might also like: Arm Cable Machine Exercises: What Most People Get Wrong About Targeted Muscle Growth
- The Positioning: The partner on top moves higher up the bed.
- The Connection: The base of the penis stays in contact with the clitoris at all times.
- The Movement: A shallow, rocking motion. No pulling all the way out.
- The Pressure: Focus on the "down" part of the rock to maximize contact.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a learning curve. You’ll probably feel clumsy the first three times. That’s normal. Most coital alignment technique video creators make it look effortless because they’re essentially actors. In reality, it takes a second to find that "sweet spot" where the pressure is consistent.
Why Modern Sex Educators Love (and Hate) the CAT
You’ll hear names like Dr. Debby Herbenick or Ian Kerner talk about "outercourse" and clitoral focus. They often point to the CAT as a great "hybrid" position. It’s the best of both worlds.
But there’s a catch.
Critics—and there are a few—argue that the CAT can be physically taxing for the person on top. Since you aren't using your legs for leverage as much, your core and upper body do a lot of the heavy lifting. Also, if there’s a significant height difference between partners, the "alignment" part becomes a logistical nightmare.
You’ve gotta be willing to use pillows. Lots of them. Propping up the bottom partner's hips can make the "grind" much easier to maintain without the top partner feeling like they’re doing a plank for twenty minutes.
Common Mistakes You'll See in Tutorials
- Too much speed: People think faster is better. With the CAT, speed kills the sensation. It's about the "slow burn."
- Losing the "up" position: Gravity tends to pull the top partner back down to a standard missionary position. You have to actively stay "high" on the body.
- Ignoring the partner's feedback: Since this is a specialized movement, communication is non-negotiable. If they say "a little higher," they mean it.
Finding a Reliable Coital Alignment Technique Video
Don't just go to a tube site. You’ll get "performative" sex that has nothing to do with the actual technique. Instead, look for educational platforms or wellness creators who focus on somatic experiencing or sexual health.
Look for videos that use anatomical diagrams or clothed demonstrations. Sounds boring? Maybe. But it's way more helpful for learning the actual mechanics than watching a highly edited professional film. You want to see the pelvic tilt. You want to see how the legs are positioned—usually, the top partner's legs are outside the bottom partner's, or interwoven in a specific "interlock" that stabilizes the rock.
Beyond the Basics: Variations that Work
Some people find the "standard" CAT a bit restrictive. You can actually do a "Reverse CAT" where the partner on top is facing away, though that's technically a different beast entirely. Or, you can try the "Side-Lying CAT," which is basically the same grinding principle but in a spooning-adjacent position. It's way less tiring.
The core principle remains: clitoral contact through pelvic alignment. If you remember that, you don't even really need a video. You just need to explore the "grind." It’s about intimacy and the "slow build." For many couples, this is the first time they experience simultaneous climax because the stimulation is so synchronized.
Practical Steps to Master the Position
Stop looking for the "perfect" video and start with these adjustments tonight. Start in missionary, then have the top partner "climb" up about three to four inches. Stay there. Don't pull out. Practice the rocking motion while keeping your pelvic bones pressed together.
- Use a firm surface: A super soft memory foam mattress makes the "rock" harder because you sink. A firmer surface provides better leverage.
- Focus on the "Exhale": Coordinate your movements with your breath. It sounds "woo-woo," but it helps maintain the rhythm.
- Adjust the legs: Experiment with having the bottom partner's legs straight or wrapped around the top partner's calves. Most find that keeping legs lower helps maintain the "alignment."
The CAT isn't a magic trick. It's physics. It’s about moving the point of contact from the internal vaginal walls to the external clitoral complex. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize why it’s stayed relevant since the 80s despite all the new "trends" that come and go. It’s one of the few techniques backed by actual observational research into female pleasure. Take it slow, keep the pressure steady, and don't be afraid to fail a few times before you find the rhythm that works for your specific anatomy.