We present novel techniques to selectively excite the lowest order symmetric (So) and antisymmetric (Ao) Lamb wave modes in thin solid plates. Hertzian contacts are formed between the plates and the end of specially designed quartz rods which guide extensional waves generated by PZT‐5H transducers bonded at their other end. Mode selectivity is achieved by applying shear and/or longitudinal traction at the edge or the surface of the plates according to the results of a two‐dimensional normal mode theory. In aluminum plates, mode selectivity is measured as a function of frequency for different traction forces. With normal forces, Ao mode selectivity of more than 46 dB is obtained for fdSo operation.