Foreplay

[1] Foreplay is not only about initiating sexual activity but is fundamentally centered on enhancing pleasure for all participants.

[4] Because of this reason, foreplay has been found to play a critical role for the female partner, as noted by sexologist Dr. William Robinson.

Nonetheless, the costliness of foreplay becomes insufficient when it has been noted through biological research that it is a worthwhile strategy to increase fertility rates in both the animal and human kingdom.

This hormone is capable of increasing the rate production of sperm count within the male during the acts of extensive foreplay and therefore results with the female partner having higher chances of becoming impregnated.

[8] In a global study of about 12,000 individuals from 27 countries in 6 continents, physical foreplay was rated as "very important" for 63% of men and 60% of women.

This type of extended foreplay can involve SMS messaging (sexting), phone calls, online chat, or other forms of distance communication, which are intended to stimulate fantasizing about the forthcoming encounter.

Role playing may involve the partners wearing costumes, to create and maintain a sexual fantasy.

"Strangers for a day" is a role-playing game which consists of the couple playing roles of the first meeting between them.

Staring at each other while in a cross-legged position and touching the other's hand palms is a usual foreplay tactic used by tantra practitioners.

The massage that is applied, according to the tantric philosophy, is not for reaching orgasms but for giving each other pleasure and connecting at a spiritual level.

The Ancient Indian work Kama Sutra mentions different types of embracing, kissing, and marking with nails and teeth.