How to Palm Grip Mouse
Contents
Updated: 02/20/2023
The palm grip is like the go-to way people hold a mouse, especially when they’re just starting out and haven’t learned the fancy grips yet. But if you’re a gamer, you might have heard of different grips like the claw, fingertip, and palm grip that are all about how you hold the mouse while you play.
Today, we’re gonna talk specifically about the palm grip for gaming and go into all the details.
What is the palm grip?
The palm grip is, like, the comfiest way to hold a gaming mouse. Some people even call it the “lazy grip” because you gotta use a lower DPI setting.
Basically, you rest your entire hand on the mouse, so it feels like it’s an extension of your arm. And the best part? This grip puts the least amount of strain on your wrist, which is totally awesome.
Overall, using the palm grip for gaming is like sitting on a super comfy couch. It’s chill, it’s relaxed, and you can play for hours without feeling any discomfort.
How to palm grip the mouse properly?
Okay, so if you wanna use the palm grip, here’s how to do it: just plop your hand down on the mouse’s hump and put your index and middle fingers on the left and right buttons, which are called M1 and M2.
Next, grip the sides of the mouse with your thumb, ring finger, and pinky. You can squeeze as hard or as soft as you want, it’s all up to you.
Now, some folks like to use three fingers on the mouse buttons so they can scroll around easier. But it really depends on what feels most comfortable for you. There are two common finger positions, 1-2-2 and 1-3-1, that people use with the fingertip grip.
Oh, and one last thing: if you’re gonna use the palm grip, it’s better to use a heavier mouse than a lighter one. That way, it won’t feel like it’s slipping out of your hand all the time.
How to position the arm for palm grip?
When you’re using the palm grip, it’s super important to have the right arm position, otherwise you could end up hurting yourself. Here’s how to do it:
- First off, make sure your arm is at a 90-degree angle when you’re holding the mouse. Just check out the pic below to see what we mean.
- Your forearm should be resting on the table while you use the palm grip, but not the whole thing! Leave a bit of it hanging in the air. This makes it easier to move the mouse around.
Note: If you put your whole forearm on the table, you won’t be able to move the mouse around as easily.
- Make sure your forearm is touching the table too, otherwise you could end up hurting your shoulder. So keep it in contact with the surface while you’re playing.
How to play with the palm grip?
Alright, now that you’ve got the hang of the palm grip, it’s time to get gaming!
For small, precise movements, you can just use your wrist to move the mouse pointer around. But when you need to make big moves or track something, you gotta sweep that mouse around. You can use your elbow and shoulder to move the mouse all over the place.
One thing to keep in mind is that when you’re using the palm grip, you’re mostly using your palm to move the mouse, not your fingers. Other grip styles, like the fingertip grip or claw grip, use the fingers or wrist to move the mouse.
Hybrid palm grip
Have you heard of a hybrid grip? It’s when you mix different styles of holding the mouse, kind of like a flex grip. The most common hybrid grip is the palm and claw grip combo.
Some gamers like to mix the claw and fingertip grips too, but most go for the palm and claw hybrid grip.
To use this grip, you lift your palm up a bit from the middle and keep your fingers relaxed on the mouse buttons.
Palm grip pros and cons
Limitation of the palm grip
Each grip style has its strengths and weaknesses, and the palm grip is no different.
If you’re comfortable using your elbow and shoulder to make larger movements, and prefer lower sensitivity levels, then the palm grip is ideal for you.
You can still use your wrist for small movements, but it’s not recommended for larger ones because it can affect your control.
If you use a high sensitivity with the palm grip, you’ll need to compromise on control. The palm grip is best for accurate tracking and control, and I’ll talk more about the ideal sensitivity for it later in this post.
One limitation of the palm grip is that it’s not great for reverse vertical movements. When you move your forearm back, it can cause more friction and decrease accuracy.
Why choose the palm grip for gaming?
The palm grip has a lot of advantages that can benefit gamers in many ways.
Firstly, it offers excellent control over the mouse, enabling precise tracking of the target, with minimal risk of missing it. As a result, it is ideal for tactical FPS and sniping games.
If you’re not the aggressive type of player, the palm grip could be perfect for you when playing first-person shooter games.
Compared to other grip styles, the palm grip is the most stable, allowing you to make long, precise movements. This is especially useful when trying to hit difficult, non-static targets.
From an ergonomic standpoint, the palm grip is also superior to other mouse grips. It’s a more natural way of holding the mouse that puts minimal pressure on your hand and arm, and doesn’t require a lot of wrist movement.
However, playing games for extended periods can still result in forearm and shoulder pain or injury, so be mindful of how long you’re playing for.
Avoid bad posture of hand for palm grip
The palm grip can feel comfy and be good for your body, but lots of people don’t do it correctly, which can be bad for your hand in the future.
To do it right, keep your palm, wrist, and forearm aligned. You can slightly tilt your wrist while moving the mouse, but then put it back to the straight position, like in the picture below.
Don’t use a mouse that makes your forearm tilt up or down, like in the picture below.
Also, don’t bend your wrist when you’re holding the mouse in a palm grip. Look at the picture above for reference.
How to choose a mouse for the palm grip?
Choosing the right mouse for palm grip is crucial, and there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for one.
Mouse Size
A larger mouse is typically better for palm grip, as it can fit comfortably under your hand. You can measure your hand and find a mouse that matches your palm size for the best palm grip experience.
Mouse profile
Mouse profile refers to the arch height of the mouse. You should avoid flatter mice because they don’t provide enough support for your palm, which is essential for palm grip. Instead, look for a mouse with a high and broad arch that can accommodate your palm comfortably.
Mouse shape
An ergonomic mouse with a shape that supports your thumb and pinky finger is ideal for palm grip. These types of mice are designed to be comfortable and supportive, with a shape that’s contoured to fit the hand.
Other factors to consider for the best gaming experience include the mousepad, mouse sensor, and mouse weight.
Why use low sensitivity with palm grip?
If you’re using the palm grip, it’s better to go for a lower sensitivity setting. The reason for this is that your palm is in contact with most of the mouse body, leaving no space for fast movements.
So, you’ll have to move your whole arm to aim and shoot in games, which is slower but more accurate. If you crank up the sensitivity, you’ll lose control over the pointer and accuracy will suffer.
What is the ideal sensitivity for FPS games with palm grip?
There’s no magic number that works for everyone, but most gamers agree that a DPI range between 300 and 450 is ideal. To back that up, here are five pro gamers who play CSGO with a DPI under 450.
Frequently asked questions
Is claw grip better than palm grip?
Well, it depends on your gaming style and the type of game you are playing. Both grips have their advantages and disadvantages. If you prefer a more tactical and less aggressive game with low sensitivity, then palm grip is recommended.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more aggressive playstyle and need to make quick micro-adjustments, then claw grip is more suitable.
How to aim with the palm grip?
When using a palm grip, you rely on your forearm to apply pressure to the mouse and aim, unlike other grips that use finger or wrist movements. It is important to keep your DPI low to avoid making extended movements when applying force with your forearm.
If you want to improve your palm grip skills, the key is to get comfortable using your arm to move the mouse and practice a lot.
How to get good at palm grip mouse?
If you want to improve your palm grip skills, the key is to get comfortable using your arm to move the mouse and practice a lot.
How to measure palm for mouse grip?
To find the best mouse for your hand, it’s important to measure it properly. To do this, use a scale to measure from your middle finger to your wrist joint and across your palm from left to right while keeping your hand straight. Make sure to take these measurements into account when selecting a mouse.
Is palm grip less accurate?
No, the palm grip is just as accurate as any other grip style. However, it may not be as quick to react as other grip styles, which is something to keep in mind. To improve your reaction time with palm grip, you can try using a flex-grip, which combines elements of both palm and claw grip
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