Ball tie
Encyclopedia
The ball tie or balltie is a bondage
position in which a person is bound tightly into a ball position. A ball position (also called a fetal position
) is one where the legs are bent double so the heels press against the bottom; the legs should also be brought up so that the thigh
s are pressed against the chest
. Pressing the thighs against the abdomen
may restrict breathing
.
The hands may be tied either in front or behind the back, however behind the back is more typical. If behind, there may also be elbow bondage, or the arms may be in a reverse prayer position
, with ropes round the arms and torso (or arms and legs) to hold the arms firmly against the back. If in front, the arms may be tied hugging the legs, or possibly with each wrist bound to the opposite elbow. The ankles may also be tied together, as well as the knees. Typically the ankles are tied to the thighs in a Frogtie
, unlike the image at right.
Sometimes the bound person wears high-heeled shoe
s and has ropes wrapped round the heels and fixed to the wrists. This adds to the visual impact, but should only be used as a supplement to other secure bondage; if it takes the main strain, the shoes may come off or the heels may break off. When tied this way the shoes usually cannot be removed.
The head
may be pulled back in some way, such as in head bondage
. However, some purists
argue that this goes against the idea of binding into a ball. Alternatively, the head can be pulled forward to force the chin
to press against the chest.
The position is both very stringent and (some would argue) stimulating. At the same time it is a comfortable position so that the subject may remain in it for quite some time.
The ball tie is one of the positions possible in self-bondage
, but mobility is so limited that several independent escape mechanisms should be used, in addition to the usual bondage safety advice.
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
position in which a person is bound tightly into a ball position. A ball position (also called a fetal position
Fetal position
Fetal position is a medical term used to describe the positioning of the body of a prenatal fetus as it develops...
) is one where the legs are bent double so the heels press against the bottom; the legs should also be brought up so that the thigh
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
s are pressed against the chest
Chest
The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals. It is sometimes referred to as the thorax or the bosom.-Chest anatomy - Humans and other hominids:...
. Pressing the thighs against the abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
may restrict breathing
Breathing
Breathing is the process that moves air in and out of the lungs. Aerobic organisms require oxygen to release energy via respiration, in the form of the metabolism of energy-rich molecules such as glucose. Breathing is only one process that delivers oxygen to where it is needed in the body and...
.
The hands may be tied either in front or behind the back, however behind the back is more typical. If behind, there may also be elbow bondage, or the arms may be in a reverse prayer position
Reverse prayer position
The Reverse prayer position, a technique used in BDSM play, involves restraint of a person's arms by binding them behind the person's back, with the hands placed between the shoulders, with the fingers of both hands straight, extended, and the palms of the hands touching each other. The wrists are...
, with ropes round the arms and torso (or arms and legs) to hold the arms firmly against the back. If in front, the arms may be tied hugging the legs, or possibly with each wrist bound to the opposite elbow. The ankles may also be tied together, as well as the knees. Typically the ankles are tied to the thighs in a Frogtie
Frogtie
The frogtie is a bondage position in which a person's legs are bound ankle-to-thigh, in the likeness of a crouched frog. The wrists on each side are often then tied to the ankle/thigh combination on their respective sides, although it is possible to tie each wrist to the opposite ankle and make the...
, unlike the image at right.
Sometimes the bound person wears high-heeled shoe
High-heeled shoe
High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. When both the heel and the toes are raised equal amounts, as in a platform shoe, it is technically not considered to be a high heel; however, there are also high-heeled platform shoes...
s and has ropes wrapped round the heels and fixed to the wrists. This adds to the visual impact, but should only be used as a supplement to other secure bondage; if it takes the main strain, the shoes may come off or the heels may break off. When tied this way the shoes usually cannot be removed.
The head
Human head
In human anatomy, the head is the upper portion of the human body. It supports the face and is maintained by the skull, which itself encloses the brain.-Cultural importance:...
may be pulled back in some way, such as in head bondage
Head bondage
Head bondage, in BDSM play, includes all techniques used to apply control to the head of the subject. It may refer to one of several techniques:...
. However, some purists
Purism
Purism was a form of Cubism advocated by the French painter Amédée Ozenfant and the architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret . Purism rejected the decorative trend of cubism and advocated a return to clear, ordered forms that were expressive of the modern machine age as documented in their 1918 book...
argue that this goes against the idea of binding into a ball. Alternatively, the head can be pulled forward to force the chin
Chin
In the human anatomy, the chin is the lowermost part of the face.It is formed by the lower front of the mandible.People show a wide variety of chin structures. See Cleft chin....
to press against the chest.
The position is both very stringent and (some would argue) stimulating. At the same time it is a comfortable position so that the subject may remain in it for quite some time.
The ball tie is one of the positions possible in self-bondage
Self-bondage
Self-bondage refers to the use of restraints on oneself for sexual pleasure. It is a form of sexual bondage which can be practiced alone.Self-bondage is characterized by experimentation and ingenuity, and can be riskier than conventional bondage...
, but mobility is so limited that several independent escape mechanisms should be used, in addition to the usual bondage safety advice.
External links
- A typical ball tie
- "arms hugging the legs" ball tie ( Bettie PageBettie PageBettie Mae Page was an American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos. She has often been called the "Queen of Pinups"...
) - Example of a balltie restraint.
