Ball tie

The ball tie or balltie is a bondage position in which a person is bound tightly into a "ball". The legs should be bent double so the heels press against the bottom; the legs should also be brought up so that the thighs are pressed against the chest. Pressing the thighs against the abdomen may restrict breathing.

Normally, the hands are fastened behind the back. There may also be elbow bondage, or the arms may be in a reverse prayer position. There may be ropes round the arms and torso (or arms and legs) to hold the arms firmly against the back. Alternatively, the arms may be hugging the legs, possibly with each wrist bound to the opposite elbow. Often, the ankles are tied together, as are the knees. See the illustrations in the external links.

Sometimes the bound person wears high-heeled shoes and has ropes wrapped round the heels and fixed to her 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.

The head may be pulled back in some way; see 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.

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 safety advice.