I’ve noticed that pro players in Apex hold their controllers differently, often using a ‘claw’ grip. This means their index fingers rest on the buttons while their thumbs manage the joysticks. I get that it likely helps with movement and quicker camera adjustments, but I’m curious about how one transitions to this style. It must take a while to adapt since it feels like relearning the controls completely. If anyone has experience with this grip, could you share how you made the switch, how long it took to get comfortable, and what the learning process was like?
5 Answers
In my experience, claw is a mental block that you can overcome. It takes time for your fingers and grip to adjust, but once you do, it feels intuitive. I’ve been using claw since Halo and have had no issues. Although I switched to a paddle controller recently, I still use that grip for other games—you really can’t unlearn it once you get used to it.
I never paid attention to how pros play, but I naturally adopted the claw hold back in high school when playing games like Modern Warfare. For me, it made sense to combine aiming with button presses. It’s just a natural evolution; clawing allows you to minimize downtime in gameplay.
The claw grip has been around for ages; it allows you to hit action buttons without removing your thumb from the right stick, which is essential for aiming. However, it does require a lot of practice, and for some, it’s not ideal due to potential wrist strain. Nowadays, controllers with back paddles can give similar advantages with a lower learning curve. I use a pro controller with one paddle for jumping and another for crouching, but I still press action buttons with my index finger, which works for me.
Most pro players probably grew up using this grip, making it second nature by the time they hit the competitive scene. While claw gripping is still popular, newer controller options with back paddles provide an easier way to manipulate both sticks and buttons. For instance, I’ve found PlayStation controllers more accommodating for this. It’s manageable, but honestly, I’ve been sticking to paddles lately, which I find less strenuous.
Switching to claw for me was mainly to deal with chaotic games like Dark Souls 3. I needed faster access to heals and spells, so I went for it in Apex too. Although I primarily use mouse and keyboard now, I understand it helps with action sequences by making everything smoother.
