The Story Behind Twistzz' INSANE Mouse Grip

It’s fair to say that if you care about CS:GO at all you know who Twistzz is.
Soft, doughy eyes, a sunshine smile, sick tats, even sicker hair and a penchant unreal aim, Russel ‘Twistzz’ Van Dulken has cemented himself as one of esports’ most consistently world-class aimers. Like, this man isn’t a man at all. He’s an aimbot.
But, as it turns out, he’s also kind of a weirdo. You see, inhuman aim aside, there’s one, let’s say, ‘idiosyncrasy’ that sets Twistzz apart: he holds his mouse with one of the weirdest grips you'll ever see.
What’s even crazier, of course, is how nasty he is in spite of it.
So, how and why did one of Counter-Strike’s craziest crackshots develop such an unusual grip, what did sponsorships have to do with it, and is there a way to know whether it’s better or worse than traditional grips in terms of not only execution but ergonomics?
Let’s find out.
Written & Hosted by: Dimitri Pascaluta (@DPascaluta)
Edited by: Brendan Fahey (@Drillbit_)
Produced by: Keith Capstick (@KeithCapstick)
Thumbnail by: Bennett Grainger
Footage courtesy of: pastebin.com/6VagUb3e
Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).
Follow us on Twitch: / thescoreesports
Follow us on Twitter: / thescoreesports
Follow us on Facebook: / thescoreesports
Follow us on TikTok: / thescoreesports
Follow us on Instagram: / thescoreesports

[@baka8693]

Dude even holds his mouse like a chad.

[@ridhamparikh161]

Chad?

[@megapoo2274]

Haha

[@Sir_BanDr]

BIG CS coach right ?

[@novaugames9278]

Chad?

[@ihatekids]

Name 1 pro player you see as a "virgin"

[@ro-cb4wn]

cracked is such a good series dude

[@MyriadDubstep]

One might say it’s ‘cracked’

[@arbitercs]

@@MyriadDubstep 👁️👄👁️

[@__sofiane__]

I agree

[@Jinn66]

@@MyriadDubstep end my life now

[@ROSEGOLD_wav]

It's cause they actually talk about e-sports related topics.

[@haj4975]

Moral of the story: You need the letter 'z' in your name to be mechanically great.

[@ComicDude0208]

Twistzz, Tenz, Zywoo, Z1mple

[@thehehepepe]

@@ComicDude0208 zcreaM

[@isaacrichardson8359]

Zhroud

[@monamody5373]

zSports lol

[@saveloona]

azeu

[@noodlehair6566]

his grip reminds me of marty friedman's right hand

[@uchihaitachidan]

Hahaha guitarist spotted!

[@noodlehair6566]

@@uchihaitachidan hell yeah brother \m/

[@Bleshin]

True, Marty has one of the weirdest picking techniques I've ever seen

[@ghosthieve9633]

Guitarists rise up!

[@aristonmain]

I Rather grip like marty on a pick than twistz on a mouse tbh🤣

[@alessiozanetti9998]

NA's most mechanically skilled player ever

[@spongebobsquarepants7788]

one of the best of all time regardless of region. i think twistzz skill ceiling is probably one of the highest we've ever seen

[@lucaspaixao3808]

@@spongebobsquarepants7788 He's proven to be a monster in Cologne for me (haven't watched CS since 2019 and came back this year, I imagine he played phenomenally before Cologne as well)

[@ATS1031]

@@lucaspaixao3808 2020 was shit for hom

[@dusan1015]

After EliGE

[@LerrySAn_]

Brax

[@theconduit21]

“To watch this handsome boy talk about counter strike” ...mmmm.... I’m here for the Editor’s handsome stache and his unprecedented boomer supremacy

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

Let's go! Thanks for reminding Dimitri who the real looks behind Cracked is xD

[@stefandebeer4494]

This really is a well crafted video! I enjoyed the inputs from the Phd candidate, the comparisons to other grips and players, and the general tone/theme of the video. Well done!

[@iRizzAsianGirls]

There should be a video on Twistzz hair

[@Hellski]

a 40 min video about someone's hair xd

[@xokuzx]

4 hours

[@CelphTitled7]

24/7 live stream pls

[@MrCoolvonrad]

can we get a cracked about fighting game stick layouts and "play styles" on them?

[@grenin6497]

Wavedashing on a keyboard

[@dumb_kitty3599]

Came for the esports, stayed for the "handsome boy".

[@liano9711]

I didn't come out of the closet, Twistzz dragged me out of there

[@ijie.]

When he showed me the Siege clips, I was nodding my head like I knew what was going on.

[@Dammitimmad]

I swear TenZ and Twistzz are cousins

[@jetlittle4565]

I thought they were the same person

[@Bonito_huh]

@@jetlittle4565 😂😂bruhhh

[@andywalsh6202]

@crummy and people forget that c9 roster was very mismanaged, same thing happened to the c9 roster they made next which have found more success under extra salt

[@CelphTitled7]

i dont wanna start a war between fangirls but who do you think is better TenZ or Twistzz, i am just curious about your opinion guys

[@andywalsh6202]

@@CelphTitled7 oh in cs twistzz 100% but if twistzz were to move to valorant tenz would be the better player through pure gamesense

[@elielhedberg6515]

I think we can all agree that we need a hair tutorial from Twistzz.

[@jf4667]

i used to be cracked on this grip on valorant, but I forgot all about it after going on vacation thanks for reminding me

[@stefanpapdi5151]

I use many grips, including this one before i even knew twists did it cuz there is a certain ease and comfort in it, particularly its similar to palm believe it or not cuz there are no micro-adjustments just your arm movement

[@bencrowe8823]

The sad part is Twistzz lost 2-0 today in semi's at Cologne

[@delfininsjezus]

I mean, faze literally said that they've achieved what they wanted from iem cologne. They said that anything more is just a bonus

[@Navible]

Won against Gambit is actually insanely good performance, I hope for a better team rotation tho. Even though Olof is my biggest fan, he just can't keep it up on the high level.

[@ancel2577]

​@@Navible damn bro, who are you having olof as your biggest fan.

[@NilendraNathBhattacharya]

Still a nice run nonetheless.

[@callmecooperr]

DONT REMIND ME :(:(:(

[@TheScribe0]

"Maple Syrup is just another form of liquid" dam

[@emanuelstude4912]

When I see his grips, it looks like a grip you use for complete control over the mouse and a grip you use if you are comfortable using your arm as well as wrist.

[@devanshshah5743]

Tht grip might affect the wrist joint and forearm. If i used tht grip i know my wrist joint would start hurting in a few weeks. I mean of course it differs from person to person bt I definitely believe tht his grip might affect the wrist joints badly

[@stefanpapdi5151]

I used this grip for half a year and it was the most easy one on the hand, even more than a relaxed palm (my twists grip was a relaxed/resting one too, no fast twitchy movements)

[@CelphTitled7]

that you wrist hurts is because you are not used to it

[@khaledghannoum5908]

Make a video about tilting the keyboard

[@zenoriam8895]

I still dont understand it, but i tried it out once and now its gotta be angled at least a little bit

[@twinshadows496]

back in the old days of csgo, players didnt have much space so they tilted the keyboard, so now most gamers tilt it for comfort, mouse space, and ease for keys

[@khaledghannoum5908]

@@zenoriam8895 same

[@IWantToStayAtYourHouse]

I always tilt it slight. Makes sense ergonomically

[@franciscocoelho20]

Best series in the channel no cap

[@doomeR_007]

Dude's basically a mini Niko, definitely one of the best riflers around

[@TENSA-ZANGETSU-]

Heroic Teses:HOLD MY BEER

[@theelementalists2506]

I see Artoria mousepad, cultured I see.

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

I like to think I'm cultured... yes >.

[@notaddicted6697]

@@TheOnlyZoltan I need a link to where I can buy it my guy

[@feliperojas3022]

I need that mousepaaaad

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

@@notaddicted6697 unfortunately the site I got it from doesn't sell them any more -_-

[@BinaryPLUR]

One of your best series, always love it.

[@jessycruz2465]

I remember having a friend who uses his left hand to control the mouse when playing counter strike. He never bothered with binding his keys so he's basically shooting using his middle finger and aiming down with his index finger.

[@StarZaR6]

cracked is a fucking cracked series ngl

[@argiesubrastas4523]

I really love how they roast one another lol.

[@AndreYT10]

Right? You can tell it’s friendly banter :)

[@LeoEM]

Swagg watching from the distance: Hmmm not bad

[@f3nn3lgaming]

Them: Talks about mouse grips Me: Ooooh! Saberface mousepad!

[@calebhofer9421]

Same

[@skalmortis]

8:57 ''And Twistzz shows us that maple syrup is just another kind of Liquid!'' That was pretty canadian to hear xD

[@Logni27cl]

"And twitzzz shows us that maple syrup is just another form of liquid"😂😂😂

[@glu9862]

I would shit and piss myself if id try to play this way

[@andrewe165]

THE STORY BEHIND TWISSTZZ MOUSE GRIP "he picked up his mouse and bam!?"

[@bert4313]

Best part of this was definitely the "maple syrup Is another form of luquid"

[@aakash950]

Twistzz has one of the best highlight this lan tournament and look at team liquid

[@saad9905]

Cracked is quickly becoming my favourite show on this channel

[@CelphTitled7]

how its not yet your favorite show of them :o

[@saad9905]

@@CelphTitled7 Lmao it is lol

[@CelphTitled7]

@@saad9905 missunderstood you then, my bad 😅

[@darenyumol4803]

Wow i just watched a DM video of twistzz showing his mouse/hand movements early this morning.what a coincidence

[@tempseyy3708]

Bro this vid is insanelly high quality

[@stefanpapdi5151]

Part2 also when i used this grip my preaims felt like more vertically sharp with precision bonus in ever so slight adjustments, it was more consistsnt to move lets say, exactly 1 millimeter on a angle hold versus overflicking it with more speed

[@ClassicalRomance]

This is actually my grip when browsing.

[@trae3290]

Tbh it’s a really good grip tbh. More control at the palm not in the palm. Keeps your arm up so the only thing moving on the pad is the mouse. Some ppl slow down with the friction of their arms since they hold the mouse so low.

[@Cybrtronlazr]

I really love this series but am feeling some FG nostalgia after binging a bunch of earlier tekken player videos... please make more.

[@thenontoxicpewpewer477]

"Maple sirup is just another form of liquid"😂

[@ramonzante7121]

Now we need a cracked video about keyboard positioning

[@lerdd5239]

being a twistzz gripper for 6 months really chilling in game

[@ardianblakaj]

Twistzz is a weirdo when holdin a mouse Swag: am I a joke to you

[@andreww479]

Its so weird seeing Babyaby standing next to Rascal and being with all of the season 2 Shock guys.

[@kkrstudios]

Tried his grip and i can actually move my mouse faster and wider. But its uncomfortable and i unconsciously went back to my grip after a while

[@jadez1893]

i tried the grip and i was very good like very very i keep hitting headshots on faceit but when i see some peoples say its bad grip because it can cause carpal tunnel and alot bad stuffs to wrist i stop using the grip and since i didnt exercises all the time it could've be really bad to my wrist ive stopped using the grip and now im using normal claw grip.

[@stefanpapdi5151]

Also how does this work with the BONES in your hand, if twist holds his mouse offset, imagine a joystick, then his bones rest not inverted on the desk like when a traditional flat not side grip ( So maybe Twists has an anatomical positive of better aligned bones on the desk )

[@Tocsiman]

we need a theScore esports VLOGGGGG!

[@raihantra]

Please make a video about Elige monitor distance,how can he play so far from his monitor

[@jcross1215]

His setup closely resembles "ergonomic" rules. Proper sitting posture and monitor distance.

[@peteiiseasy3217]

💀how about those who are very clos3

[@atSLASHY]

I use this exact grip and I didnt even know who this guy was before now

[@starfishsnow2995]

I can't believe I watched a 16 minute video about how a cs:go player holds his mouse.

[@t0xicdmg443]

imo it has to do less with the grip and more so where the sensor is being placed for them. the way they grip the mouse forces the sensor to be lower/closer to wrist which in theory it makes you more precise for headshots.

[@noli925]

now i need a story behind Twistzz's HAIR 😤😼

[@schizballs]

i can't believe Elige said twistzz is more gifted than s1mple lmao

[@marius3552]

he could be more naturally gifted than s1mple tbh, the thing he lacks is the insane work ethic s1mple has.

[@schizballs]

@@marius3552 or now that I think about it 2016 liquid s1mple wasn't the goat yet and when he was number 1 elige wasn't on his team

[@marius3552]

@@schizballs oh yeah that is true. tbh twistzz definitely had the potential to be top 3 at some point, he might still have it although top 10 seems more realistic rn.

[@averywow]

Thescore has been making some crazy good videos recently holy moly

[@2Kayu]

When I played cs he was my favorite glad to see a video on him

[@spacey5304]

he just doesnt want to accidentally jump with the scroll wheel

[@sirresonant]

He’s not the only pro player with a claw grip for his mouse, Achieved from TSMs rainbow six team also has a claw hold for his mouse.

[@RitzStreams]

Mouse grip definitely changes the feel of aim and how accurate it is. In my opinion everyone has a different preferences because our brains work uniquely different from one another, so having the mouse sensor in a specific position below our hand can change depending how our brains depend to work in the most efficient way. A lot of people choose mouse grips because of other pro players, content creators, etc.. which I think is completely wrong since it’s heavily related to muscle memory to what you’re naturally used to.

[@ReaZRapTor]

Personal preference is key

[@SealedKiller]

I never thought mouse grips were such a deal. I always just went for what I liked the best which is the palm grip.

[@RitzStreams]

@@SealedKiller that’s the best thing you can do

[@miguelpereira9859]

@@SealedKiller Because they aren't, I think it's good to experiment a bit with mouse grips but ultimately you should just use what's more comfortable for you

[@prawn1535]

cracked is literally the best

[@dr.doppeldecker3832]

This video came in real handy!

[@channingtaintum]

Tip grip gang because I have big hands and haven't found a mouse big enough for a palm grip.

[@teejay3082]

G502?

[@mrcheese5383]

@@teejay3082 bro I finger tip that mouse and my hands aren’t big. I also play on 1.768 with 800 dpi tho

[@bd0310]

try out the Vaxee outset ax its a bigger mouse for palm grip, its made by the same people who made zowie

[@channingtaintum]

@@teejay3082 Yeah G502, man. My hands are 9 inches long from the heel of my palm to the tip of my middle finger, and about 5 inches wide from the outside of my pinkie knuckle to outer index knuckle.

[@Jinn66]

Buy 2 mouses and glue them together ez

[@jinnn5745]

i thought had a weird mouse grip. thank god my grip is the same as with twistzz

[@Wuqz]

My grip is literally in between Twistzz and Achieved lol.. I started with a small mouse then switched to a Deathadder. I also played claw on Xbox for nearly a decade.

[@kitkatrina]

Have to give you a hand for that performance 🙌

[@goondefectoresports]

wait your telling me not everyone does this, my mouse has an adjustable palmrest for just this reason

[@motsuwu]

5:18 man of culture

[@memmoman]

0:16 FLY COLD FLY

[@timmy6836]

"Spider grip"

[@thebluecollarkid1831]

Man! Is there anything upon preference in E-Sports?!

[@NorseNoahJ]

He’s also gonna develop carpal tunnel

[@TMGvibin5196]

colten gives off cartoon villain vibes

[@chewwa1700]

The Deathadder is the grand daddy of all gaming mice. Been using it for over 15 years haha... it’s not that big. But what an interesting story.

[@hugglebunny3]

honestly I think I pull my fingers back when I'm spam clicking. but nowhere near a claw. My explanation for why I do this is to stress my hand out and be faster and more in control. Hard to explain though the small movements are inexplicable in words tbh.

[@Xpherious]

Achieved on TSM's R6 team has the same exact grip

[@BradyWalsh666]

i could watch a ten hour edit of Dimitri saying "KEKW"

[@ricardorenones5739]

14:45 that man making a 360 with his mouse in middle of a round xD

[@starvinq6174]

i allway thought i use a palm grip but actually use a claw grip

[@Bergja]

And here i thought the Deathadder was kinda small

[@vansxcz3753]

5:06 that mouse pad tho 😳

[@carlos-of4ne]

The wrist technique alligns the wrist with the arm better and unifies their movements a bit

[@albioncia]

so based on this episode the more carpal tunnel inducing your grip is the better you are at aiming

[@kei3971]

This reminds me how the R6 pro “achieved”holds his mouse

[@derk486]

Commenting before we watch the video now are we

[@samuelallard141]

Me with my thumb clicking mouse 1 and the mouse angled:

[@Stunlokked]

"KEKW" pain

[@loganmyall660]

I hold my mouse differently. I'd call it an inverted claw, because it's the side of my hand touching the desk and my fingers are doing most of the movement.

[@BEN-ys6gu]

Damn he did that cus of the Deathadder Elite? I have the same mouse, time to change my finger grip and go pro

[@Ken_neThT]

Who's the quote at the end of the video from? Sounds hilarious

[@brunobucciarati5189]

The video:talking about twistzz’ mouse grip My brain: my god, colton has a beautiful mustache

[@TheOnlyZoltan]

Oh my. I apologize for distracting you. (also thank you >///

[@brunobucciarati5189]

@@TheOnlyZoltan omg, are you actually Colten?? Im sure you know this already, but i love your mustache!

[@azionize.]

His mouse grip is actually in my opinion not bad for ergonomics. Your traditionally grilling your mouse, your wrist will incline a bit. With Twistzz, his grip is a straighter angle of the wrist. I don't use this grip anymore, but when using the grip it felt quite comfortable especially when relaxed.

[@maestro9765]

Plus, his wrist is ABOVE the table, meaning less pressure on the carpal tunnel. And he aims using his elbow, not his wrist. It may cause finger problems, but not carpal tunnel.

[@Nihil660]

And in 2022, TSM won the six invitational. And achieved was the MVP

[@Bosspruductions]

LETS GOO, DIMITRI IS BACK!

[@deathtrap5556]

Do one on Brax's grip as well. It's mad.

[@rykeerodriguez9559]

Why do we have to like and subscribe before the video every time 🤣🤣🤣

[@insfourne8916]

My grip quite strange too: 1st of all my mouse diagonal, 2nd i shoot by my thumb pressing mouse 5 (also i can click fast af), 3rd my index finger scrolling wheel with my middle finger clicking mouse2 and 2 outher fingers holding mouse. But by using mouse like this i have to change it after 6-8 months.