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 thighs 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,[1] 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 shoes 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.[2]
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.
