Boxing wraps are lengths of cotton material that are wrapped around a boxer's wrists and hands to provide extra cushion as well as support to the joints and soft tissue. Wraps are put on before boxing, sparring or speed bag gloves to serve as the first layer of protection. For smaller hands, use 120-inch wraps or 170-inch for medium-to-large hands.
Basic Wrapping Technique
Step 1
Spread the fingers of the hand to be wrapped, palm toward the floor. Put the wrap's thumb loop on the thumb, laying the wrap over the back of the wrist toward the pinkie. Wrap the material around the wrist two times.
Step 2
Bring the last loop over the back of the hand, toward the pinkie, and loop it under the palm and around to the back of the hand again.
Step 3
Loop the wrap around the base of the thumb once.
Step 4
Wrap over the back of the hand, just above the wrist, then around the thumb. Repeat this step three times.
Step 5
Keeping the fingers spread, bring the wrap from under the wrist, across the palm and around the knuckles three times.
Step 6
Make one loop around the wrist, then take the wrap over the back of the hand and thread it between the middle and ring fingers, across the palm to the back of the thumb.
Step 7
Circle the wrap over the back of the hand and tightly loop the wrap around the knuckles two or three more times.
Step 8
Take the wrap across the back of the hand one last time to the wrist. Attach the end to the wrist using the wrap's Velcro strip or ties.
Tips and Warnings
- Getting the right amount of tightness in the hand and wrist, without cutting off circulation, takes practice. If you find the wrap is too tight or too loose, reverse the wrapping steps until you identify the problem spot and start over from there. Check the wrap packaging carefully before purchasing if you have medium to large hands. Many stores will only carry the 120-inch wraps that are designed for smaller hands.
- While boxing wraps can, and should be, washed, they can easily get tangled in the washing machine. Use a special hand wrap wash bag or mesh laundry bag to keep the wrap from getting tied up in the washing machine.
References
- How to Box: How to Put on Your Hand Wraps
- "Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness"; Danna Scott; 2000
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