THE BEST THUMB PLACEMENT FOR CONTROLLERS (XBOX,PLAYSTATION,PC) 

UPDATE: I always thought to myself like man, I can't be the only one going through this, and I was right. Since making this video I have realized a lot about myself and I'll share with you what I've found in hopes that it may help some of you. In short, I don't think this is a thumb placement issue after all. The reason I say that is look at players such as Dawsoar, Mutex, Kxpture , Shottzy and Punchgoesbig. Go watch their handcam videos. Every single one of them has a completely different thumb stick placement, the only constant variable is that they play claw and all play with Playstation controllers. I have tried just about everything I possibly can to get that "smooth/fine" aim that they all have. I have switched to a Playstation controller, I learned to play claw, I tried at least 20 hours on each and every one of these players' thumb placement and how they hold their controller. While doing all of this I had days where I felt like I was the best player in the world and I had a shot of going pro. However most days brought incredibly little consistency, one game i would be amazing and the game after I would be ass. This inconsistency just grew and grew and got to a point where even when my aim was really solid, I would still be overanalyzing my hands on my controller and constantly comparing it to the guys I was trying to become. I used to be a really solid player, I probably could've made something special out of my skills if I never got sucked down this rabbit hole. I still have the ego from when I was great, but my skills now can't keep up and it just leads to this terrible loop of low self worth. My best advice for anyone dealing with something similar is to weigh your options. I think for most people you have three options to choose from. You can either cut your losses and move on like I am, you can find a specific role such as trying to become the best AR/sub player you can be and stick to that role and only that role, or you simply just have to put your ego aside and accept that you are not as good as some of these guys and just admire their gameplay. I have no idea what got me into this mess but I'm going to take this as a sign that video games just aren't for me. You are in control and you have to decide for yourself what you are comfortable doing. I'm sorry I couldn't figure this out for you guys but if one of you manages to find something that I couldn't, please don't hesitate to share. I'll still be here to answer questions or talk should anyone be interested. Best of luck my guys.

Damn bro ill definitely try this out. It surprises and annoys me that nobody has done deep testing into optimal thumb placement. Its such an important part

@doomsdayguy I have been studying hand anatomy and biomechanics related to joystick manipulation for the past year. You are right, some players are just more gifted with a controller even if they are not using it optimally, just like some Fortnite players are amazing with sub optimal binds and some golfers are amazing with sub optimal grip or swing mechanics. But in terms of the proper way to use a joystick based on hand anatomy and biomechanics for maximum control and consistency you need to make sure you are doing 2 things: 1. DIP joint of the thumb (top thumb joint) should be bent. When this joint is bent you have stored up potential energy in the muscles and tendons around your thumb that you can convert to energy on the joystick quickly and precisely. But, as you have observed, many players get away with a straight or locked thumb because they learned how to play on a controller when they were younger and their thumb wasn't long enough to properly manipulate the joystick - and they just got used to it. 2. The tip of your thumb, the part of your thumb you use to mash an ant, should be "glued" to the top of the joystick. Mechanics principles state that the closer you are to the end of a lever, the more control you have over the load's movement. In this case the thumb is the lever and the joystick is the load. if you are forced to control the joystick from its outer edge, using the part below your thumb print, you are going to be less consistent in the long run because this is sub optimal based on biomechanics. Anatomy-wise the tip of the thumb has the highest concentration of tactile receptors, which makes it very sensitive to touch and capable of fine motor control - you want this part of the thumb to be in contact with the center of the joystick for optimal control at all times. "Keep the ant mashed" Of course there are many other variables to consider - everyone has different hand sizes and learned to manipulate the controls at different ages. But if you could create a pro gamer from scratch and have him/her leverage thumb anatomy and biomechanics to the fullest, you would want to follow those two "rules of thumb" :)

Late to the party but man I can't stress enough how much more control and snappiness I have just after one private match shooting bots... much appreciated. This is HUGE... can't thank you enough

dawg ur goated! I thought I was the only weirdo trippin about thumb placement and trying different variations. This feels so much more natural.

Just wanted to say I've been on a similar path trying to find an input method and settings that work best for me, and I found this video after switching my thumb placement and controller grip. I had instant results, in terms of feeling more in control of my aim, but I'm no top tier player so the better control is only going to give me so much extra oomf. Glad to see others have found similar results. I hope you're doing well these days.

Thank you so much for this! So many aim training videos and no one mentions hand placement!

I tried this and omg this was probably the missing puzzle. I've been playing Apex Legends for 4 years and always struggled with aiming until this day. One of a kind video.

You are a legend for this video, I have wanted a solid breakdown of this for awhile or different grips and styles to compare and why and was only left with my own comparisons what is oddly tooo funny is I came upon finding this or something insanely close to this maybe just 5 days ago but finding this was a massive help with the lil gap of the hand on the right side which is something I was lacking consistency wise. Good shit

absolute legend, i tried this out and the sinister laugh came out. thanks bro keep up the hard work

Brother, this is a game changer. It seems like such a simple change, but that extra motion from the loose grip is insane. Thank you!!!😂

this is awesome. i just recently noticed thumb placement had a huge effect on my aim. i'll try this out!

I’ve held my thumb straight for the longest time and I got pretty good but then I started overthinking and changed my grip and now I’m mediocre and I’m trying to go back to my natural grip. All I can say is to not overthink and that there really is no easy way too be good and practice is the best way to get better.

Interesting concept, like arm aiming on mouse and keyboard.

even after 2 years this video still helpfull god bless you man

i’m a fortnite controller player and been struggling to have consistent thumb placement my thumb used to hang off then tried to not have it hang off and was never sure what was best. gonna try this tomorrow and try and master it to have the most precise crosshairs placement. first vid i’ve seen on thumb placement and i think this is the most important controller factor thag nobody talks about. thank you for this

I actually use the same grip that you are speaking about in the video of the player using a "straight thumb". I play apex legends and realized it was easier to aim by "shifting" my whole hand than trying to pinpoint aim with the tip of my thumb. Kind of like when you write with a pencil, you don't just use your fingertips, but your whole hand. It's more like I pull my joystick instead of pushing it with my thumb tip. I feel like it helps prevent repetitive strain injuries

Also makes movement so much more comfortable

Bro I love you, my shots still been ass since mw3 came out, it’s like my fingers grew since vanguard. I could tell it was thumb placement and I been trying to fix it and this exactly pinpointed it for me cause that’s my thumb placement but it felt so uncomfortable

Excellent video!!!! You need to upload more. Amazing stuff

Gracias bro! Me funcionó, puse mi pulgar de la maneja que dijiste pero en diferente ángulo ya que me acomodo mejor de esa manera, ya gano más 1v1 y tengo esa consistencia

Improved my aim tremendously! Thanks for this

Definitely makes sense. Just like with mouse and key with the difference between wrist aim and arm aiming. The larger muscles are easier to control and fine adjustments are more precise. I took a long break from cod and my aim has never been the same. That and thumbs slipping from time to time suck. I’ll try it out and let you know.

i got some cheap knock off control freek type caps for my sticks. and was wondering why my shot got better. i think its the placement of my right hand. it hovers like you said to play. the cap on the right stick makes that my natural position now. glad i found this vid. good shit

Wow good observation! I felt a lot of control trying this out!

Let me just say.. this video is like a gift from god or something. Preface: I have shot well over 100k bots on MW on Claw (I shoot 1000 a day,). I have the muscle memory for centering my cross hair quickly across different POIs HOWEVER, my shot looked a bit shaky, (not my centering or ability to flick, but the actual SHOT) until.. I found this damn video My conclusion is as a claw player, the reason why it's so precise is because you move "slightly" slower / more controlled since ur thumb is straighter / less range of motion, but also helps control the recoil significantly because of the thumb placement. A lot of guns have vertical recoil, and I feel this just kind of eliminates the recoil in a subtle way. I am not doing anything different except shooting and my recoil control was way, way better. This also made my centering more precise since it did feel "slower" than when I had a slight curve with claw. Anyways, you earned a sub for lowkey changing my call of duty life.

I’ve always thought about thumbstick positioning but never looked into it thanks man

Did You make xbox controller setting video yet? Like the aim response curve on xbox accessories thingy 😁

This literally helped me aim better and control the recoil in battlefield

I’ve always thought this! Nice video bro ☝🏽

Oh shit, this just saved me all the stress. Just ensure the joint doesnt bend and you are good

Thanks for this video, I have just come across it so am going to try your way of placing my thumb.. Do you have any tips on how not to tense up my hands when getting into gun battles as It is a big problem for me. Great video 👍

Omg!!! This is what I have been looking for

This is similar to my evolution of using a mouse and keyboard on pc. At first I was using all wrist movement but there's less range of motion and my motion is too jittery and less precise. When using more arm movement instead I got a good amount better. Similar to what this video talks about, using less thumbtip movement and more whole thumb movement.

I play claw and noticed when I mastered it my aim was better than without it and you’re right it’s down to how the thumb placement is and like mono players have forearm vs wrists

If you can please do more videos for tips and trick cuz this helped immensely

I gotta say..your crazy..but your my kind of crazy 😂 reading your long message about it all i realized just how much you let your brain not only wander but take over is fucking awesome man maybe games weren't the correct output for your creative and obsessive mind but i promise your the kind of crazy that creates greatness. I came here because i wanted a different hand placement but stayed because i realized i have a friend in you even if we never actually speak.

Bro thank you this improved my aim like crazy

It's crazy I can across this video because I came to a similar conclusion just practicing my aim. My issue is I have very large hands so my thumb placement varies trying to adjust until I realized I need a bigger controller. This issue is finding one with paddles that aren't either expensive or cheap.

Scump plays with a bent thumb and beams as well though. It’s all about feel whatever feels better 💪🏼

I feel like an idiot. I’ve actually tried changing thumb placement but could never find the right placement. Dude, you explained it perfectly. I can now easily “control recoil”. Sheesh.

NGL U REALLY HELPED ME OUT WITH THE ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR

Bro man I have never related to someone so much. For the past few months I keep changing my thumb placement and I play claw. It's weird sometimes I would play with my finger bent and sometimes flat like this. I have been over thinking so much. I have been watching so many handcams of pro players and analyzing them carefully. Thanks for this video also it is no coincidence that none of the aiming videos go over thumb placement.

Thank youuu so much!!!

Cheers for this video. I'm a PC gamer trying to learn to use Xbox controller without burning my thumb skin on the left stick. I play mostly hack and slash to relax 😅

Nice one buddy 👍

I watched this video and got a win in apex. My aim felt way better! I’ve been looking for a video about thumb placement for fucking ever. Thank you!

Bro this helped a lot thanks

Thank you so much

Thx so much

The right stick on the xbox controller should be where the XYAB buttons are. This would allow for a neutral thumb position (like on the left stick), more comfort and control. It would also allow people to easily aim with the tip of the thumb resting naturally on the stick cap, instead of having to extend their thumb sideways in an unnatural position. This is the biggest design flaw in all controllers, Sony or MS. Well, MS got it half-right with their left stick placement.

Thank you man.i was trash on shooters

Thank you good sir

when i typed in soft soft tutorial i did not expect it to be tNice tutorials good thank you so much aaaaaaa

Eyy Thanks hermano

Great vid

thanks so much bro

you would make a great streamer man

You don't have to play with claw, but it might be easier because then you only have to place the thumb in the perfect position ONCE as opposed to multiple times....

that feels interesting

expert in the game, respects

This helped me as I am a claw player 🔥 Keep dropping banger vids😎

I dont know if I am more happy that I'm not the only one who been thinking of this or that you have actually figured it out.

im a try it later today

How Don't u have more subs man? Ima sub.

at first i was plying while doing this and notice after an hour my right wrist hurt lol small hands problems . thank for tip tho

Crimsix made a video about his grip,thumb placement and other stuff. Around black ops 2 era. If you haven’t give it a look.

Good video bro,informative.i thought me strengthening my grip way the key but this looks like it might work.ItsNick he has a good video on the subject but I think this is Slightly better.Thank u

Another aim tip is to always be strafing no matter the situation. Even super long range. In every CoD (as far as I know), Rotational aim assist (which slightly tracks your opponent) doesn't function if you're not moving. And you only have to move very, very slightly to get RAA. Lot of people don't realize this because it's not explained by devs, and because it kinda goes against instinct in some situations - if you're trying to be super precise you'd think being still would benefit more. Your accuracy will skyrocket once you get it down.

W vid

Finnaly the vid i wanted thx😁😁 btw like few days ago i think i used that grip for the thumb when i was playing claw and i got 8 kills on like 2v1 situacions

Dynamic for good players that have a good tracking if you move your thumb stick it acsetly go to what % you moved dynamic (recomended) lineal for accurate players and instantly goes from 0 % to 25 or 50 or whatever you move it at what % standard is like slower then dynamic this is just my thinking

Now, we have to get this under our radar: Gyro, gyro is way better than any of improvement on thumbsticks. I tried it on steam config and switch, it blew me away. But most games don't have native support for gyro and that's a shame.

That’s so weird I never played with my tip of my thumb on the joystick I always felt comfortable with the middle of my thumb controlling jt.I thought it was only me that did that and I was trying to see if it’s a problem but ig it’s not

Thank u for bringing this issue up. I'm struggling so much to the point of losing simple gun battle. Like I'm whaaat are you kidding me!!! Lol. Did all the sensitivity ect ect.... please do more videos to help struggling player's like myself. Who quit playing because it's not fun anymore. Thank bra.

We need my topics like this, any snipers who can agree with this . I definitely related to this and I snipe 90% of the time.

Can you make a video about this but for people with small hands

I had the same problem cuz I switched from ps4 to xbox and it didn’t feel the same and my aim was ass but I realized I was just had a different thumb grip

do a vid on thumbstick tension

this video could prevent a lot of injuries

Can you make a video about what setting you have on your elite controller like are you on default, delayed, aggressive, instant, smooth. This is for the thumb sticks. I am currently on instant and can definitely tell my sticks feel more responsive/ faster. I would also like to know what dead zone your tiggers are on. And I’m also wondering what sensitivity you play on? Just curious. Thanks!

Yo bro wanna play sometime? Sounds like your super passionate like I am would live to chat w u about different ideas instead of running them by my own self all the time

I’m gonna try this idk my thumb will always be straight on the thumb stick and when I would look to the right my thumb slips off and I wasn’t sure if I had to put a little bit of pressure on my thumb stick

I noticed that too ... And I got pissed tf

In The setup hey bro i wanted to know how do u load your Sample guide into the packs in the browser?

W video

Thanks bro I was struggling for about 2 years to find some logic on how to properly should I place my thumb I just couldn’t find that tune This helps a lot Also i use kontrolfreeks, does this will affect my thumb placement ? Can’t wait to test it after 3 days when i go home Thanks again bro

What baffles me is that you have your index finger practically wrapped over R1. It's very different from what I do, which is place the 'palm' of my index finger on R1, almost the tip.

My question is can you do this with control freaks

So placing the thumb like this is better than using the tip of the finger? I play apex legends and I wanna get better at tracking like other controller players are, but always find some difficult at this topic of thumb placement and no one talks about ergonomics.

i use dynamic play 15 sens .5 ads sens n i have a 2.50 with a 1170 spm

Hey man, im from germany so sry for my english😅 i had this problem so many years, i always change my thumb my sensitivity, but also my internet is not the best, and my Hz from my Monitor is not the best, then i thought so much about deadzone beacuse i feel more comfortable when the deadzone is lower because it feels more natural, but sometimes on the right stick a little bit higher feels a little bit precise, but back to the thumb question😅 im 29 i have no big hands, my hands more like small or medium, and my thumb or my fingers are little bit "fat" my thumb is not that flat like normal thumbs, and im sweating much when i hold something in my hand, always i think thats the reason because sometimes when my hand is not sweating i feel like im glue on the stick and it gaves me so much more accuracy, i always made my thumb straight on the stick, that the middle of my thumb is on the stick and i touch it very slowly, but it not feels natural when i go away from the stick to press x or something, than i go back without looking and i mean this is the natural way everyone is holding his controller, but i think everybody in this world can achieve everything when he is willing to work hard for it, because whe are our on prison when our mind is blocking! I want to send you a picture of how im holding my controller and that you can see my hand and my thumbs, this is why i never get better i always changing, everyday like 6 or 7 times, but sometimes i see how good kids or teenagers are in COD and the most of them have no bigger hands than me, and there all good, maybe my thumb is to "fat" my thumb is not large or anything like that but it has more mass on it like everyone else's thumb, please help me, im playing cod since i was 16, for 13 years now, not every year, but i know how to play, my biggest wish is to know how to hold my thumb and then i never had to think again about that, and can put all my energy in sensitivity, deadzone, movement, game intelligence and so on, thank you brother please answer me i love you and your videos, keep up your an awesome player❤❤❤❤

So basically if I play my thumb on top of it but straight I’ll improve my aim?

I’ve always done this but my aim still sucks

I play half claw which is what I call it it’s where I put my pointing finger on left number and middle finger on left trigger and use my right hand normally like most gamers do I also change the style middle of battle depending on certain guns like using guns close range and long range.

How tf do you grip this elite series 2 controller bro literally nothing feels comfortable ill hold it tight and my aim gets messed up. Hold it lose and my aim still feels messed up . Hold it super tight and i miss click paddles

I subconsciously held my controller with the "claw" technique I didnt realize this until one of my friends watched my play a game and was like "yo why do you use your controller like that"then I watched how he used his controller and I was like "huh that's weird" then I compared it to the rest of my family and it was definitely strange.

Has anyone tried this and seen a improvement?

ok... don't bend the thumb.. got it

Ya ut works. I got much more control at 17 17