What Is a Switch in BDSM?

Goddess Jackie Johnson
Apr 30
5 min read

Updated: May 4

At this point, if you have been reading my educational post, you should be familiar with the basic terms of a scene, such as top, bottom, dominant, and submissive. Now it’s time to discuss what happens when someone enjoys BOTH the giving and receiving in a scene. Enter the switch. A term that represents one of the most versatile and often misunderstood identities in kink. Today I am going to try to explain it simply for you, because it is simple. They see both sides and think, yes, please!

What Is a Switch?

A switch is someone who enjoys taking on both dominant (or “Top”) and submissive (or “bottom”) roles in BDSM dynamics. This can occur in different scenes, relationships, or even within the same session. Switching isn’t about indecision, it’s about adaptability, fluidity, and often, a deep understanding of both ends of the power spectrum.

Switching exists on a spectrum. Some people switch equally and frequently; others may lean predominantly in one direction but occasionally enjoy the other. Switching is also contextual, dependent on partner dynamics, mood, scene type, and emotional state. Most switches will have a discussion with their partners about what role they will be partaking in for the scene. Personally, I think when you get two switches in the room and there is a back and forth, it can be so fun when there is a power struggle.

Any person participating in BDSM can decide to one day be a switch and try out other roles. This is often a role that people take on after playing with someone in one role, and eventually wanting to explore more roles and kinks. It has nothing to do with indecsion more of a further exploration deeper into the kink dynamics.

Common Roles and Terms in BDSM

To understand switching, it’s helpful to define the basic roles:

Dominant (Dom/Domme): The person who takes control or authority in a power exchange dynamic.
Submissive (sub): The person who consensually relinquishes control to their Dominant.
Top: The person performing an action (e.g., spanking, bondage) in a scene.
Bottom: The person receiving the action.

A switch can take on any of these roles. They choose which ones they enjoy and play with them with other switches, or people in the complementary role to what they want to play in that scene.

Why Do People Switch?

People switch for a variety of emotional, physical, psychological, and exploratory reasons:

Curiosity and exploration: Some want to understand both sides of a scene to deepen their kink experience. This is something where you see it and think, huh, wonder what that’s like, or you see the enjoyment your partner has and want to try.
Empathy and perspective: Many switches say playing both roles increases their ability to connect with partners and build better scenes. This is something that can make them feel safer when they are taking on the other role and help them ensure the safety of their partners.
Mood-based dynamics: A switch may feel dominant in one context and submissive in another, depending on the partner or the day. We all have days when you may feel like you're done being in control, or you really want to take out your mood on someone who will enjoy it. Either way, it’s not uncommon since we are creatures of emotion.
Partner compatibility: Some people switch to align with different partners’ roles or to keep the play dynamic and reciprocal. They most likely enjoy both roles in the first place and are just happy to participate.
Erotic fulfillment: The mental and physical sensations of both giving and receiving can be arousing in unique ways. Getting to get someone off, or having someone get you off are very different experiences that can be very, very fulfilling in their own right.

Switch Identities and Descriptions

There’s no one-size-fits-all title for a switch. Most of the titles have been gone over and are just reused in the switch scenes. Depending on how and when someone switches, they might also use or be called:

Versatile (or “vers”): Common in LGBTQ+ circles, meaning comfortable in either role.
Service switch: Someone who enjoys both giving and receiving service, depending on
the context.
Scene switch: A person who switches roles only during specific scenes or scenes with specific people.
Relationship-based switch: A person who is Dominant in one relationship and submissive in another.
Powerfluid: A newer term that reflects fluid movement between power roles, often outside rigid binaries.

Common Myths About Switches

Switches are one of the more challenging titles in BDSM for people to understand. People think that, for some reason, they can not fulfill both roles. The thing is that Switches are not confused or undecided. They legitimately enjoy things from both sides of the scene. Often, switches get a lot of hate that they can’t be truly dominant or submissive if they switch. In truth, though, the ability to fill both roles can often enhance a dynamic. I know, crazy, when someone understands what their partner is going through, it can make the dynamic even better, who knew. Another common misconception is that switches are just topping from the bottom when they are dominant. This is a misuse of the term. Switches will take on the role completely and consensually. This refers to when a sub is trying to manipulate the dynamic from that role.

Navigating Switch Dynamics

Switches often thrive on communication and negotiation. Here are some tips for navigating switch-based dynamics:

Establish clear boundaries before play: Who’s in which role, and for how long? This is not always going to be set for the whole scene, but it is important with new play partners when you can’t read their emotional shifts easy.
Use safe words generously. Switching mid-scene can be emotionally intense. One minute you are slapping your sub across the face, the next second your pinned the the bed. It can be super fun, but intense if you weren’t expecting it.
Practice aftercare in both roles. Dominants and Tops need care, too. They have been in your roles, they know what you are going through and want to make sure that they did good for you as well.
Be mindful of ego: Role change can trigger unexpected emotional responses. If you’re mid-scene and there is a shift you didn’t expect, sometimes we react unexpectedly. This is supposed to be fun and consensual. Keep it that way for both parties.
Stay curious and respectful: Everyone’s version of switching is personal. Just like every kink, there’s degrees to it, that everyone enjoys differently or not at all.

Why I Switch

That’s right, I am a switch. I started as a dominant and stayed that way for many years until I met a man that, just breathed dominance. I learned that I am a mental submissive and that is something that is very, very much a part of me. I tend to accidentally find doms in the wild when I least expect it. I enjoy hearing the praise, getting to be their pleasure. It really isn’t much different from when I’m dominant. I love the worship and being their pleasure. I have a kink that’s fulfilled from various roles, and I want them all. I’m a switch because I’m greedy.

Being a switch doesn’t make you indecisive; it makes you dynamic. In a world that often demands either/or answers, switches boldly say “both,” and sometimes “it depends.” Whether you’re new to BDSM or a seasoned kinkster, embracing the fluidity of your desires can lead to deeper trust, more exciting play, and a greater understanding of yourself and your partners.