{{Short description|PositionBody pose}}
{{Other uses|Spreadeagle (disambiguation){{!}}Spreadeagle}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2022}}
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The '''spreadeagle''' (also spelled '''spread eagle''' or '''spread-eagle''') is the position in which a person has their arms outstretched and legs apart, figuratively resembling an [[eagle]] with [[spreadeagle (heraldry)|wings spread]]. It is a style that appears commonly in nature and geometry. In human style, it is represented by the letter "X".
The spreadeagle position is frequently seen in various fields of human activity, particularly sports. It is commonly used in [[Olympic weightlifting]], [[cheerleading]], [[freestyle skiing]], [[gymnastics]], [[basketball]], [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]] and [[dance]] such as [[contemporary ballet]]. The [[Spread eagle (figure skating)|spread eagle in figure skating]] is one of the [[moves in the field]] which makes the sport particularly associated with the position. It is also practiced in [[sky diving]] and appears in [[rock climbing]] and [[freestyle motocross]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Semiotics of X: Chiasmus, Cognition, and Extreme Body Memory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sR9vDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42|first=Jamin|last=Pelkey|publisher=Bloomsbury|date=2018|isbn=9781350082229|pages=42–43}}</ref>
==Sex position==
The term ''spread eagle'' is used for [[sex position]]s where one of the partners adopts all or part of a spreadeagle position. One of the simplest versions has the lower partner lying on their back facing upwards ([[supine position|supine]]) with their arms and legs spread wide apart. It is a variant of the [[missionary position]] and it allows for deep [[sexual penetration]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Women's Health Magazine|title=Why the Spread Eagle Is the Latest Sex Position You Need to Try|url=https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/sexual-health/a702085/the-best-sex-positions-ever-the-spread-eagle/|first=Alexia|last=Dellner|date=3 September 2021}}</ref> This position is also used for [[Non-penetrative sex#Manual sex|manual stimulation]]<ref name=WebMD>{{cite web|title=What Is the Eagle Sex Position?|url=https://www.webmd.com/sex/what-is-eagle-sex-position|website=WebMD|date=28 June 2021}}</ref> such as [[erotic massage]] of the [[G-spot]]<ref name=SESP>{{cite web|title=Spread Eagle Sex Position|url=https://loveandsexanswers.com/spread-eagle-sex-position/|website=Love and Sex Answers|access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> or [[clitoral stimulation]] using the fingers or a [[sex toy]]. Clitoral stimulation can be performed by either partner and can be combined with penetrative sex.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Science Just Found the 4 Best Penetration Techniques for Female Pleasure|url=https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a36122877/study-penetration-techniques-female-pleasure/|magazine=Men's Health|first=Zachary|last=Zane|date=14 April 2021}}</ref> The position is also popular for [[oral sex]]<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Cosmopolitan|title=17 Rope Bondage Sex Positions That'll Have You Begging for More|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/positions/g13822514/rope-bondage/|first=Jill|last=Hamilton|date=10 December 2021}}</ref> which can be combined with vaginal massage. It is a comfortable position for the receiving partner to maintain, though the person providing the stimulation may experience neck discomfort. This may make it difficult for them to remain in place long enough for the receiving partner to reach [[orgasm]].<ref name=SESP/>
There are a number of variations on the position. The reverse spreadeagle position<ref name=WebMD/> is a less common version in which the lower partner lies facing down ([[prone position|prone]]). It is a variant of the [[doggy style]] position.<ref name=Kinkly>{{cite web|title=Spread Eagle Bondage Position|url=https://www.kinkly.com/definition/1481/spread-eagle-bondage-position|date=20 March 2022|website=Kinkly}}</ref> If one leg is straight while the other is bent, the position is called the "broken eagle".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Woman and Home|title=What is the broken eagle sex position? Plus, benefits of this unique position|url=https://www.womanandhome.com/health-wellbeing/broken-eagle-sex-position/|first=Grace|last=Walsh|date=9 October 2022}}</ref>
The legs are also spread during the [[lesbian sexual practice]] known as [[scissoring]].<ref>{{cite web|title=6 Lesbian Sex Positions That Will Maximize Your Pleasure|url=https://hellogiggles.com/lesbian-sex-positions/|website=Hello Giggles|first=Raven|last=Ishak|date=23 September 2021}}</ref>
These positions are classic ingredients in [[sexual roleplay]].
==BDSM==
A spreader bar suspended from the ceiling provides wrist attachment points for a vertical spread eagle position, either standing or hanging.<ref name=Kay/> A hanging spread eagle position is also used in [[suspension bondage]], for which wooden or steel bondage rigs are sometimes found in BDSM dungeons.{{sfnp|Zadig|2021|page=34}} Spreader bars can also be used with subjects who are kneeling on all fours to give access to the buttocks, genitals and anal region.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=18 Bondage Sex Positions That'll Have You Begging for More|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/positions/g13822514/rope-bondage/|magazine=Cosmopolitan|first=Jill|last=Hamilton|date=11 October 2022}}</ref>
Bondage in a spread eagle position provides immobility combined with a feeling of helplessness. It typically leaves much of the body available for BDSM play.<ref name=LCSB/> This may include [[impact play]], particularly if the subject is oriented with the back and buttocks exposed. Alternatively, if the front of the subject is exposed, erotic teasing<ref name=Kinkly2018/> or torture such as [[breast torture]], [[cock and ball torture]] or pussy torture may be undertaken.<ref In the case of the submissive being naked a spread eagle position may provide forced display of their body and genitals to the dominant or other onlookers.{{citation needed|datename=September 2023}}Kinkly2018/>
Using the technique known an honor bondage,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bondage: It's More Than Just Rope|url=https://www.kinkly.com/2/9547/sex-tips/bdsm/bondage-its-more-than-just-rope|website=Kinkly|first=Kayla|last=Lords|date=30 November 2015}}</ref> an unrestrained submissive may be commanded to assume a spreadeagle position, either standing with or without support or laying down, and not move.<ref>{{cite web|title=How To Be A Dominatrix That Men Crave Being With|url=https://www.yourtango.com/2017306302/how-be-dominatrix-titles-sex-toys-clothes-femdom-submissive-men|date=23 June 2021|first=Rebecca Jane|last=Stokes|website=Your Tango}}</ref> This produces extreme vulnerability and can be a source of [[erotic humiliation]].{{sfnp|Pelkey|2018|pages=48–49}} as well as test the submissive's willpower while various tortures are applied to areas of their body. To increase the effect the subject is often required to display their genitals.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
==Military punishment==
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