Using Claw Grip with Console Controllers: Benefits & Drawbacks

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If you’ve ever been gaming and struggled to dodge, slide, aim, shoot, and take a health potion all at the same time, the problem might have been the way you held your controller. With claw grip, you don’t have to move your thumbs off of the joystick to hit the face buttons—you use your index fingers. We’re here with everything you need to know about claw grip, including how to use it, the pros and cons, how to adjust, and more.

What is claw grip?

Claw grip is a way to hold a console controller so you can control the face buttons with your index finger without removing your thumbs from the joystick. Some gamers prefer claw grip because they find it gives them better control and faster reaction time, but others find it uncomfortable and difficult to master.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Use Claw Grip

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  1. Curl your index fingers to rest on the face buttons. Rest your left middle finger on L2 and your right middle finger on R2, and put your left thumb on L3 and your right thumb on R3—just like you would with a standard grip. Then, put your left index finger on the directional buttons (D-pad), and your right index finger on the right face buttons (triangle, square, X, and O on Playstation or Y, X, A, and B on Xbox). [1]
  2. Some people only use claw grip with their right or left hand—it mostly depends on the actions you need to control in the game you’re playing. For instance, if you frequently need to work the D-pad and the left controller at the same time, you might use a claw grip with your left hand and keep your right hand in a standard grip.
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  3. If you need to, change up how you do claw grip to make it more comfortable. For instance, you might adjust the position of your palm or the rotation of your wrist.
    • You may find it easier to rest your right finger on the leftmost face button (square on PS or X on Xbox), rather than the top button—your hand will be in a more relaxed position.
    • Support the weight of the controller with your ring and pinky fingers.
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Section 2 of 7:

Benefits of Claw Grip

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  1. With a standard controller grip, if you need to use the D-pad or the right face buttons, you have to let go of the joystick, quickly press the button you need, then return to the joystick. Claw grip makes it so you never have to let go of the joysticks, which can give you an edge in fast-paced, competitive games. [2]
    • Since you don’t have to shift your fingers off the joysticks, you may notice you have a faster response response time and improved accuracy.
  2. Because you don’t have to let go of the joystick to press the face buttons, if you can master claw grip you’ll be able to seamlessly string together complicated sequences. This is especially beneficial if you’re playing an action game where you need to execute moves in rapid succession, like rotating the camera, sprinting, dodging, rolling, attacking, and switching weapons. [3]
    • Games where claw grip is popular include Fortnite , Call of Duty , Dark Souls , Apex Legends , and Monster Hunter World .
  3. If you’re having to let go of the joystick every time you want to pick up an object, switch weapons, or dodge, it might be hard to stay locked onto a target. But with claw grip, you don’t have to release the joystick, so you may find that your aiming improves.
    • Some people find that it’s easier to make minute movements on the joystick with claw grip, improving their aiming even more. However, others find the angle of their thumb gives them a little less control in claw.
  4. Some competitive gamers use special accessories like paddles or custom grips to make their gameplay easier. But these are usually designed for a specific type of controller. If you change consoles or buy a different style controller, you’ll have to buy new accessories—but you can easily adapt claw grip to different controllers, with no need to buy anything extra.
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Section 3 of 7:

Disadvantages of Claw Grip

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  1. Since your hand is turned at an unusual angle in claw grip, it can be painful at first. And even once you’re used to it, prolonged of use of the claw grip can strain the muscles in your fingers, wrists, and even forearms. [4]
  2. The extra strain on your hands can take a toll, causing your fingers to get tired while you play. This can actually slow down your response time and give you less control—defeating the purpose of using claw grip in the first place. [5]
  3. Whether you’re just starting out as a gamer or you’ve been playing for years, claw grip can feel uncomfortable at first. Most people who use it say this will get better over time if you practice consistently—although if it’s causing you real pain or discomfort, you should switch back to a standard grip.
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Section 4 of 7:

Getting Used to Claw Grip

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  1. The more you use claw grip, the more natural it will feel, so keep practicing. It’s a good idea to play in low-stakes sessions while you’re adjusting—like single-player mode or on a private server. That way, you won’t be an easy target if your reaction time isn’t as fast as usual for a while.
  2. One of the benefits of using claw grip is that it makes it easier to quickly access the buttons you use the most. Make the most of this by going into your game settings and customizing which buttons control which actions.
    • For instance, if you want to be able to dodge quickly, you might bind that action to the button where your index finger is resting.
  3. You can find a variety of accessories to make gaming easier and more fun. For instance, thumb grips fit over your joysticks—they create a bigger, textured surface that makes it more comfortable to work the joystick.
    • You can also get rubberized handle grips to give yourself a better hold on the controller—if you feel like the controller is secure in your hand, you might not have to grip it as tightly, so you’ll have less hand strain.
  4. Some third-party controllers have paddles, also known as back buttons—4 or more buttons on the very back of the controller. If you have a controller with paddles , you can map the actions normally assigned to the D-pad or face buttons to the paddles. Then, you control those with your middle and ring fingers, leaving your thumbs and index fingers in standard position. [6]
    • If getting used to claw grip is too difficult, paddle controllers are a great alternative.
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Section 5 of 7:

What controllers are best for claw grip?

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  1. Generally, the best controllers for claw grip are considered to be PS5 and Xbox controllers. PS4 controllers are a little small for claw grip, but some players do still use them.
    • You can use claws on a Switch, but the smaller buttons make it difficult—it’s probably easier to stick to standard grip.
Section 6 of 7:

Preventing Pain from Claw Grip

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  1. If you’re getting ready to sit down to a long gaming session, take a few minutes to warm up and get the blood flowing in your wrists and hands. [7]
    • Spread your fingers open all the way, then close them all the way. Repeat this several times.
    • Touch each of your fingers to your thumb one at a time. Do this with rounded fingers first, then repeat with your fingers flat.
    • Press the fingertips of both hands together, then rotate your index fingers in a circle around each other.
  2. During long gaming sessions, periodically take 10-minute breaks—especially if your hands start to feel tired or you notice your performance isn’t as good. This can help you ease muscle fatigue and it may even help you avoid injuries. [8]
  3. While you’re gaming keep your elbows and wrists in a comfortable position to avoid strain. Sit upright with your shoulders back but relaxed, and try to keep your elbows at about a 90° angle—avoid hunching over the controller. [9]
    • Don’t press your elbows down into your armrests. This can compress your nerves, which can lead to decreased game performance, pain, and injury.
    • Keep a relaxed grip on the controller to avoid straining your hands.
    • Adjust your grip as needed to find the position that's comfortable for you.
  4. Stretching after a gaming session can help reduce your risk of injury. (However, some gamers find that stretching before or during a game can slow your reaction time, so it may be better to wait until you’re finished.) Popular stretches include:
    • Prayer position stretch: Place your palms together in front of your chest like you’re praying. Then, slowly lower your hands, deepening the stretch in your wrists and forearms. Hold for about 30 seconds. [10]
    • Reverse prayer stretch: Press the backs of your hands together with your fingers down and your hands in front of your chest—like an upside-down and backwards prayer position. Lift your hands to deepen the stretch, and hold for 30 seconds. [11]
    • Hand and wrist stretch: Hold your arm straight out in front of you with your palm up. Grab your fingertips with your other hand and gently pull your fingers back toward you until you feel a stretch. Hold for about 30 seconds. Then, repeat with your palm facing down. [12]
    • Thumb adductor stretch: Hold your hand up with your palm away from you. Use your other hand to gently pull your thumb backward for 30 seconds. [13]
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Section 7 of 7:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    What muscle is most affected by claw grip? Claw grip mainly impacts your extensors. [14] These are the muscles in your hand that are responsible for spreading your fingers and flexing your hand in (like a fist) or arching your hand back. [15]
  2. 2
    Is claw grip safe? Some people do report hand pain from using claw grip. There’s not much scientific evidence on whether claw grip is worse for your hands than a standard controller grip, but if you find that it’s uncomfortable, stop using it.
  3. 3
    Is claw grip really better for controllers? Some gamers find that they have better control, improved accuracy, and faster reaction times with claw grip. However, others find that it causes their hands to fatigue quickly, which decreases performance.
  4. 4
    Is claw grip better for aiming? Some people do find that claw grip helps them aim better, especially since they don’t need to release the joystick—they can execute other moves while staying locked on to a target.
  5. 5
    Why do pros use claw grip? Gamers who play in competitive or professional matches might use claw grip as a way to improve their reaction time and accuracy. However, many pros opt for back buttons (or paddles) instead of using claw, since it can be uncomfortable.
  6. 6
    How do you claw grip a mouse? To claw grip a mouse, hold it so the bottom of your palm rests on the back of the mouse. Arch your index in middle fingers in a claw shape to rest on the mouse buttons, and use your thumb, ring, and pink fingers for the side buttons. [16]
    • If you spend a lot of time gaming or working with a PC mouse, you might notice improved speed or accuracy with claw grip. However, this position can strain and fatigue your hand.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.svg.com/232953/what-happens-to-your-hands-when-you-play-claw-on-controller-every-day/
      2. ↑ https://www.svg.com/232953/what-happens-to-your-hands-when-you-play-claw-on-controller-every-day/
      3. ↑ https://blogs.uww.edu/artofmakai/2021/04/08/how-to-draw-holding-your-tools-properly/
      4. ↑ https://www.svg.com/232953/what-happens-to-your-hands-when-you-play-claw-on-controller-every-day/
      5. ↑ https://www.svg.com/232953/what-happens-to-your-hands-when-you-play-claw-on-controller-every-day/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/qjdxtO3yfB8?t=100
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/dlHuwSVUHH0?t=65
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/dlHuwSVUHH0?t=158
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/dlHuwSVUHH0?t=339
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/AIE83KMAtBY?t=25
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/AIE83KMAtBY?t=67
      3. ↑ https://www.self.com/gallery/stretches-for-video-gaming
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/AIE83KMAtBY?t=104
      5. ↑ https://1-hp.org/blog/playmorehurtless/the-ultimate-guide-to-fix-wrist-pain-from-gaming/
      6. ↑ https://radiopaedia.org/articles/extrinsic-muscles-of-the-hand?lang=us
      7. ↑ https://www.daskeyboard.com/blog/claw-grip-palm-grip-fingertip-grip-mouse-grips/

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