5 Basic Bondage Ties You Need to Know

We want you to get knotty! Whether you're new to ropes or a seasoned pro, catching up on the BDSM basics is always good. Here are the top five bondage ties you should know – and some devilish bondage ideas.

When your sub is likely to struggle too much, or you just need to teach them a kinky lesson that will involve having both hands free, bondage restraints are essential. You can tie someone up to a stable object like a bed or tether their limbs together to stay put.

Although handcuffs have a risqué reputation amongst beginners, in reality, the hard metal will bruise naked skin and quickly become unbearable. Kinksters in the BDSM community are more likely to choose a less harmful material like cotton, silk, or soft rope for bondage ties and fetish fun.

Five Basic Bondage Ties Everyone Should Know

1. Ankle to thigh

This bondage tie is pretty simple to achieve and massively increases sensitivity in the lower body It’s sometimes known as the frog-tie or fat-leg tie because of the crouching look it creates. To secure the ankle to the thigh, bend the leg back on itself and wrap the binding around from top to bottom. It can be secured along the outer edge with a few extra knots. The aim is to keep the heel pressed against the bum. As a bondage idea, if it turns you both on, use this tie in combination with a device like a spreader bar to *** open the legs.

2. Wrists and upper arms tied behind the back

Be aware that this bondage tie can be tricky because the person being tied can quickly lose the feeling in their hands, so be ready for a quick release if necessary. Starting just under the shoulder, bind the arms together using a spiral wrap that extends down to the wrists. This position thrusts their chest forward and puts them into a naturally submissive position. Plus, they can still look cute wriggling around. It’s incredibly erotic to watch. As a bondage idea, if you have a real mean streak, you could always get your partner to perform humiliating tasks - like licking your boots or lapping up a saucer of milk to heighten the erotic charge for you both.

Don't they look cute?

3. The hogtie

The hogtie is one of the most popular bondage positions for people with a rope fetish. It severely limits movement and makes it impossible for someone to fight back. Place the sub on their stomach, side or back with their ankles tied to their wrists behind them.

“The basic chest harness is the last one of our top five primary bondage ties. A rope harness can be as elaborate or as simple as you want.”

To separate the legs, tie each ankle and wrist separately, or extend the distance between them to allow more movement. This position is perfect for having some BDSM fun with the exposed areas of their body. As a bondage idea, use feathers to tickle or a paddle to spank depending on your preference.

4. Wrists to upper arms

Securing a sub's wrist to their upper arm is an excellent first-timer way of exploring your BDSM fantasies. It’s simple to tie someone up like this. Bend the elbow and then secure the wrist to the upper arm. Once this bondage tie is done, you can play out some teasing fetish scenes on the bed. As a bondage idea, ask your slave to do a near-impossible task like fetching you a glass of water. Or anything else that strikes your fancy.

5. The basic chest harness

The basic chest harness is the last one of our top five primary bondage ties. A rope harness can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. It can also be combined with breast or crotch bondage as you get more confident in your rope techniques.

Using both ends, thread your rope around the chest twice, over and under the nipples, then loop it together behind the back. Next go over both shoulders, under the lower chest bind and finally secure both ends together at the back. A harness lets a sub move their body. You can add another rope to use as a rein, so it’s easy to pin them down. Being allowed to move but not very far can be a huge adrenaline rush, especially if your slave loves to struggle or attempt escape.

Bondage safety tips - pay attention!

Bondage carries risks by its very nature, but that doesn't mean anyone has to get hurt when they get kinky. Make sure your bondage sessions follow a plan. Always discuss each move with your partner beforehand. Be respectful of their boundaries and use a safe word during play. The ropes can be relatively tight when you tie someone up, but it's vital to leave enough room to put two fingers underneath, so their circulation isn't cut off. Finally, once you've trussed up your sexy play partner, never leave them alone, they've submitted to you, and it's your job to keep them safe.

Looking for more bondage ideas? We've got plenty of bondage tie tips and tricks in the BDSM forum. Curious to discover more about your kinky personality? Our free BDSM test will reveal more...