Using Claw Grip with Console Controllers: Benefits, Drawbacks, and More

How to Use Claw Grip

Double claw 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).

Single claw 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.

Adjustments 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.

Benefits of Claw Grip

You don’t have to release the joystick to press the face buttons. 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. 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.

It makes complicated gameplay easier. 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. Games where claw grip is popular include Fortnite, Call of Duty, Dark Souls, Apex Legends, and Monster Hunter World.

You can use claw grip with any controller. 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.

Disadvantages of Claw Grip

It can lead to hand and wrist pain. 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.

Your hands might get fatigued more quickly. 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.

It takes some getting used to. 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.

Getting Used to Claw Grip

Practice consistently to develop muscle memory. 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.

Customize your button setup. 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.

Use controller accessories to make claw grip more comfortable. 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.

Switch to paddles if claw grip is too painful. 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. If getting used to claw grip is too difficult, paddle controllers are a great alternative.

What controllers are best for claw grip?

Larger controllers tend to be better for claw grip. 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.

Preventing Pain from Claw Grip

Warm up before you play. 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. 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.

Take 10-minute breaks while you’re playing. 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.

Maintain good, relaxed posture while you’re gaming. 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. 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.

FAQs

What muscle is most affected by claw grip? Claw grip mainly impacts your extensors. 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.

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.

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.