My technique changes frequently. I begin by using slow, lazy strokes, just enjoying the process of building the excitement. Then I become more focused and a bit more forceful, using firmer strokes and a more defined rhythm. Once I start getting close to orgasm, I slow down to enjoy those sensations, and then I back off and build up the pressure all over again. I do this several times, and then I get to where I'm almost ready to ejaculate. That's where I want to be, and at that point my strokes nearly stop; I maintain barely enough movement to stay on the edge as long as possible. If I'm not rushed or distracted, I can spend 10 minutes or more at that point just before ejaculation – before I finally go over the edge and explode. The longer I can do this, the more intense the orgasm is when it finally happens; both the quality of the feeling and the quantity (and distance) of the ejaculation are incredible!
- age 37, Ohio
I usually do things like humping my pillow to get aroused, and then I switch to the "Fist" technique to finish it off.
- age 16, Connecticut
Very seldom do I stray from the technique that I developed when I was 13, although occasionally I switch from my right hand to my left. Once you're used to getting it from one hand, using the other feels like someone else is doing it for you!
- age 27, Ohio
I use two basic techniques and switch between them. I start by using my fingertips to get the feelings going and to get really hard. Then I switch to my fist, which I stay with until I ejaculate. I think I just started using my fist in the last couple months.
- age 14, Washington
Sometimes my technique stays the same, but sometimes I change techniques several times in order to prolong the session. The "Stop & Start" technique works very well and is a natural way to change techniques and positions.
- age 35, California
Sometimes I tighten the hold. I always speed up and slow down a lot. I think it quickens the climax.
- age 14, Illinois
I seldom change my technique, although I do experiment occasionally. I prefer to "Fist" with my right hand and caress my testicles with the left.
- age 32, Pennsylvania
I usually start off on my back using my left hand. (Strangely enough, I'm right-handed, but using my right hand just doesn't work as well.) I then roll onto my belly half onto my left arm underneath me and use my hips with my arm/hand stationary. Lately I have been rolling back onto my back just as I am reaching a climax. If I have something to clean up with closeby, it will end up underneath and I won't roll onto my back for the finale.
- age 23, Australia
I usually start by passing just my glans through a hole I make with my thumb and index finger, keeping this very tight. I start with almost a pinch at the wide part of my glans, slipping it through the hole until I reach the tip of my penis. My foreskin stays in place; just the glans moves inside the foreskin at this time. After I am very hard I loosen my grip and use a long, slow stroke. I go from my scrotum to the tip of my penis at this time. I always apply a little more pressure around the base of my glans. I have a sensitive area where my glans and shaft make a V; as my excitement builds, I use a tighter grip with a medium length stroke, which keeps the pressure on the V. Through my ejaculation I use a short stroke, concentrating on my glans. After my ejaculation, I use a long, very loose grip for a "cool down." If I use a water-based lube I masturbate with my foreskin retracted, but this requires constant moistening of the lube. I use the same grips and speeds. I have tried many of the other techniques I have read on this site and have enjoyed them. They are good for a change; however, years of the same techniques have made me a creature of habit.
- age 28, Ontario, Canada
I usually masturbate in bed and start out with the "Pillow Pumper" (a great technique). However, to avoid ejaculating on my pillows, I switch to the regular "Fist" grip just before orgasm.
- age 15, Minnesota
Although I change speeds and occasionally switch hands, I usually use the standard "Fist" method. I've tried others, but this way feels best to me.
- age 27, Pennsylvania
I like to start out slowly by massaging the head of my penis. As the excitement grows, I resort to the "Backhand" and the full right-hand grip. Depending on how much time I have, I like to switch on and off with variations of these. I think this adds something to the whole experience.
- age 41, California
My technique changes as I get more excited. I begin by stroking my body and using fantasy, moving closer to my penis. I like to keep my hand off my penis till I have enough pre-seminal fluid flowing to work as a lubricant. (I am not circumcised.) This method is the best for me and makes the least mess. By the time I have progressed to stroking the underside of my scrotum and down to my anus, I usually have enough slick stuff to begin. This also keeps me from ejaculating too fast and gives me a bigger orgasm, and the increased volume of semen seems to make it squirt farther. I like that a lot. If my wife is beside me and I do not want to wake her, I use only one finger at one speed down the foreskin on the V of the head. No matter how much I might want to go faster, I keep the same rhythm. This is the best orgasm – but if I am alone, I do not have the patience to do this.
- age 32, Washington
I change actually quite often. I masturbate to orgasm 2 - 3 times every session, and each time I use a different technique. my favorites are the "Baggie & Mattress," just a regular grip with lotion, and a tissue roll with lotion in it to act like a vagina.
- age 15, California
I like to start out with a masturbatory "foreplay." I soak a cotton swab with my saliva and run it up and down the front of my shaft and around my testicles. Then I like to gently massage my penis with my hand. I gradually work up to a vigorous rubbing until I ejaculate.
- age 18, Oklahoma
I often start thinking about guys, and then I start thinking of girls.
- age 15, Texas
Usually I begin by touching my penis and body all over, stroking and rubbing, feeling my muscles, and admiring myself. I usually enjoy spending some time just looking at my erect penis while I stimulate it gently by pulling or rubbing. Then I begin to stroke with a slow rhythm that at some point becomes faster and more regular. I maintain this pace until just before orgasm, when I slow down again to enjoy the experience.
- age 21, Minnesota
When there is time, I strip and lie down, look at some visual stimulation, and start rubbing my penis for an erection, if I don't already have one. Then I rub at an average pace. When that awesome feeling of orgasm starts to build in my pelvis, I start stroking really hard. As soon as I start ejaculating, I pull on my scrotum. It is awesome! Then, of course, I have to clean up my little manly mess.
- age 15, Maryland
I often start out in a hurry and just focus on reaching orgasm. Sometimes, if I have enough time, I go slower to delay my first orgasm. If have a lot of time, I play a game with myself – I masturbate very slowly and think of about five guys I like. Then I say their name and think about each one for about 30 seconds each. I wait and see which one I end up on when I climax. He's supposed to be the "winner." It's really fun to do that, much like an adult version of a game I used to play to see who I was going to marry.
- age 17, Alabama (female)
I usually start by placing one hand around the head of my penis and circling the head using one finger from my other hand to get me aroused. (I use some form of lubricant – either hand cream or K-Y jelly – because I have trouble achieving orgasm without it.) When I am ready to ejaculate, I start stroking my penis with one hand to simulate intercourse. This method gives me intense orgasms. I have been masturbating this way since I was about 15.
- age 29, Pennsylvania
If I start with a technique I end with the same technique. Why wreck something good when you are getting an incredible feeling already?
- age 17, Canada
When I have time to enjoy an extended session, I use as many different techniques as appeal to me. I generally start off with slow stroking and exploring all the sensitive parts of my body. Then as my passion increases, I stroke more in earnest. I change grips, hands, and hip thrusting just to experience the different sensations. At this time I sometimes include anal stimulation and/or penetrations. I never plan ahead but let my creativity take me where it wants to go; this way I never repeat a masturbation session. Hmmm! Wonder what's in store for me today? I can't wait!
- age 63, Texas
I start with two fingers and a thumb, and then I go to a full fist. Then I normally switch hands while I get some type of lube on the other hand. After I lube up my hand and erection, I normally put a sock on it and finish in my sock. I really don't have anything to clean up because the sock has my lube and semen in it. I just throw the sock into the hamper and let it get washed!
- age 14, Pennsylvania
Usually I just start moving my fingers faster as I get closer to orgasm.
- age 20, California (female)
I usually start without a lube and add it later. I've gotten into control, too. I like to get myself almost to orgasm and then slow down...take deep breaths...keep it under control, staying on the edge for about 20 minutes.
- age 52, New York
I don't change techniques. By the time I get a "groove" going, it's too late to think about changing.
- age 15, Canada
When I began to masturbate (age 12) I would grab my penis in my fist and pump until orgasm. Now I use multiple "grips" and other stimuli during a single session. I grip my penis with my fist and then use only several fingers, concentrating on the glans. Often I will combine several grips in a slow progression. I also spend time caressing my testicles and chest. This provides additional stimulation and lets the feeling last longer. I like to incorporate the shower stream when I have the time. The best stimulation is to slowly tug on my testicles, pulling them downward. This can produce the most tremendous orgasm. Used as the only source of stimulation, it can produce orgasm, but this takes a long time. Used to finish a session, it is most pleasurable. The key is to keep a steady rhythm and an even amount of pressure.
- age 31, Ohio
My technique changes according to my particular needs at the moment. For instance, I stroke at a normal pace and as I come closer to orgasm, I speed up a little bit. Sometimes I tease myself by stroking rapidly and then slowing down. I continue this way for around a half-hour. Although it is somewhat torturous, it makes for an awesome orgasm.
- age 18, New Jersey
My morning shower masturbation sessions are all the same – get off as quickly as possible. I want that wonderful feeling of orgasm NOW! However, my nighttime sessions are totally different. I want it to last as long as possible. I change from one stroke to another just to keep a new feeling and to prolong the fabulous tactile senses. As long as I can keep changing, I can prolong the orgasm and thereby have a much greater one.
- age 19, Texas
I get more intense as I approach climax. I begin by massaging my clitoris, and then I go faster. With the other hand, I put three fingers inside of me, moving them in and out faster and faster.
- age 16, Nevada (female)
I usually start out by rubbing my penis with my hand to help get it erect. Then I lie face down and rub it on my bed. I rub this way until I am about to ejaculate. I then turn back over and stroke my penis with my hand until I ejaculate.
- age 14, Massachusetts
I use both hands, alternating between right and left (right hand on my penis, left hand on my testicles, and then left on penis and right on testicles). I switch the hand stroking my penis from underneath to on top, back and forth, with lots of caressing the head. I go from a soft grip to a firm one, and then back to soft. In other words, I make love to my penis. It's never just "slam-bam-cum." Masturbation is just plain and simply wonderful.
- age 49, Washington
My technique generally goes from slow, methodical, massage-like stimulation of the head and shaft of my penis to much faster motion as I build towards climax. The massage action in the beginning is much more pleasurable, although I can rarely control myself enough to keep going slowly until I reach orgasm. And, I don't usually have enough time for that.
- age 17, Washington
I like to go fast almost to orgasm and then slow down until I get soft. Then I start up again and do the same thing. Sometimes I vary my speeds. It builds up the pressure and intensity of my orgasm. When I near orgasm, I stop and tease myself, let go, and get soft again. This time I start up and go to orgasm, going really fast when the orgasm starts.
- age 14, Ontario, Canada
At first I take long, slow strokes. I like to tease myself with the pleasure of the first few moments. Then I establish a slow, regular rhythm. As I build to orgasm, I slow down, squeezing hard and focusing on the head of my penis. This helps to prolong that exquisite moment before orgasm. Then, just as I go over the edge, I go into a blur of fast, hard strokes, milking my orgasm for all it's worth.
- age 18, Florida
I like to start off very easy and light and as I become more and more aroused, and then I increase the pressure. Then I put my fingers into my vagina to give me a more filling feeling as I pleasure myself.
- age 23, Hawaii (female)
Almost always I use the "Fist" method dry until I near orgasm. (I may bring myself to this point two or three times.) Then I lube up and start over again, going slowly.It feels sogood to build up speed and end with a powerful orgasm!
- age 17, Illinois
At first my rhythm is slow and languid, and I alternate between brushing my hand over the underside of my erect penis, feeling my testicles, and fondling my nipples. As I get more aroused and "pre-cum" is flowing steadily, I like to rub it all over my penis, concentrating on the glans with my right palm. Then I begin to stroke steadily but slowly with my thumb topside and three or four fingers underneath. (I'm circumcised but have enough skin so I can move it up and down the shaft without any artificial lubricant.) Doing this keeps me at a plateau of arousal. During this time my fantasies are the most vivid, and I like to maintain this for a while. At some point I begin to stroke faster and with more pressure. Often I will slow down or even stop for a few seconds as I approach orgasm. When I resume and am ready to ejaculate, I masturbate fast and hard. When the first wave of orgasm comes over me, I stop for just an instant to prolong that feeling, and then I firmly stroke myself in rhythm with my ejaculation.
- age 43, Minnesota
Although I have used various routines in the past, I have followed this pattern for the last couple of years. To start, I strip down to my underwear (or a jock or Speedo) and use both hands to rub the pouch and between my legs until I'm really aroused. I like to watch this part in the mirror. I lie down and gradually work my penis out while I work whatever I'm wearing down and off in stages. Next, I use lube and the "Fist" grip up and down the whole shaft. I use my free hand to play with my testicles and nipples or sometimes my butt. I finish up completely undressed, on my back, legs together and free hand at my side. I use lots of lube and massage just the head of my penis in a kind of a spherical motion as lightly as I can. A guy once showed me this stroke as a sort of Zen technique. I get a huge orgasm from this routine every time.
- age 19, California
Although I use a different pattern every time, once I get going I stick with the same one.
- age 23, Virginia
My technique changes depending on my mood. If I want to have an orgasm right away, I stroke fast and hard and don't stop. If I want to feel the pleasure for a while, I lube up my scrotum and both hands, stroke slowly, pause and play with my testicles. I also pause before my orgasm to feel the pleasure longer.
- age 15, Illinois
At first I concentrate on the entire length of my penis; near climax, I focus on the top.
- age 29, Pennsylvania
After a while I switch the grip from forehand to the "Backhand" grip. I usually start with a fist, switch to a "Three-Finger" grip, then end up with the "Backhand."
- age 18, Ohio
I change grips randomly throughout the session.
- age 17, Oklahoma
I regularly switch hands, grips, rub other parts of my body, and use different body positions to heighten the feeling. I can't remember too many times when I've gone through a whole session and maintained the exact same method the entire time.
- age 50, North Carolina
I lie down and just mess around until I'm erect. Then I alternate among two or three grips.
- age 17, Missouri
I start out with a style I have yet to see anyone describe. I hold my erection like a cue stick (lubed up) and move my fingers around. If my brother is spending the night with me, or someone else is near, I stay with this method because it is silent. However, when I am alone and have some time to enjoy myself, I use my fist and pump myself hard. I save this for when I'm by myself, because with lotion it can get loud. This method feels wonderful, and I can produce orgasms by fisting that equal an orgasm produced by intercourse. Even so, masturbation is still not as good because sex with a partner has somuch more to offer – closeness and such. Sometimes the "Fist" method feels a bit too good, and I tend to swap in and out so I don't ejaculate too soon.
- age 19, Vermont