Handwraps are commonly used for hand protection in combat sports such as boxing, Muay Thai or mixed martial arts. Handwraps are extremely important for a fighter, as they protect his hands from injury such as knuckle bruises, wrist sprain or fractures after landing a heavy punch. If your handwraps do not feel right, cut them off and start again. Stepping into the ring with handwraps that are too tight could cause great damage to yourself. Wrapping the hands too tight can also decrease blood flow to the hands.
Step 1
Loop the handwrap around your thumb to begin the process. Many handwraps come with a loop already made to put your thumb in for ease of use. Stabilize your wrist by wrapping the bandage around it three or four times. This offers hand protection and prevents your wrist from bending back or being sprained upon contact when you land a heavy punch.
Step 2
Bring the hand bandage across your wrist and loop it twice around your thumb before wrapping it across your knuckles. Wrap the bandage across your knuckles moving it away from your thumb. The bandage should not be so tight that your thumb is immobilized, or you can feel a lack of blood circulation. Protect your knuckles by wrapping the bandage three times around them, before bringing the bandage back under your thumb. This is an important area needing hand protection, as this will be the primary point of impact should you land a heavy punch.
Step 3
Wrap the bandage back up your hand and through the gap between your pinkie and ring finger on your right hand, before wrapping it around the knuckles and thumb once more. This process is repeated in the gap between your second and third finger, and again with the gap between your middle finger and pointer finger. After wrapping between the pointer finger, bring the bandage back around the knuckles in the opposite direction, with the intention of locking all the knuckle wraps in place.
Step 4
Complete locking in the wraps by bringing the bandage across the knuckles twice, and then bringing the handwrap across the back of your hand underneath your thumb. Bringing the bandage over the top of the wrap in the opposite direction will hold the bandages beneath firmly in place. Use the remaining bandage up by cross wrapping it around your wrist and then between your thumb and pointer finger. Tie the wrap in place to avoid any loose bandage swinging around. Many wraps come with a Velcro adhesive for ease of use.
Step 5
Inspect your handwrap thoroughly before you step into the ring. Have a trainer check the wrap to ensure it is safe and effective. In professional boxing fights, the referee or a designated official must approve your handwrap before you are allowed to fight.
Things You'll Need
- Handwrap
- Bandage
- Tape
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