Punching an opponent in a combat-based sport like boxing, Muay Thai or cage fighting is a method of inflicting pain upon another person. Making contact with the fist, though, can also put the puncher in pain due to broken bones and tendons in the hand, fingers and wrist. Wearing handwraps protects fighters from suffering hand injuries when making contact with punches, whether it is on another opponent's body or on a punching bag. Handwraps only work when done properly, so concentration is imperative.
Prepare the Hand
Step 1
Form a fist with the hand that is ready to be wrapped. Hold your four fingers first then bend the knuckles and bring your finger tips toward your palm, according to the Complete Guide to Gloves and Handwraps. Move your thumb across your pointer finger.
Step 2
Place cotton on top of your knuckles to provide extra padding.
Step 3
Pre-wrap the hand and wrist with athletic tape to set the form in anticipation of the handwrap.
Put on the Handwrap
Step 1
Place the thumb through the thumb loop, according to the How to Box website. Drape the handwrap over the top of the hand and make a loop around the wrist.
Step 2
Loop three times around the wrist, wrapping diagonally across the top of the hand near the pinky finger. Wrap around the fingers between the hand and knuckles, circling once--then wrap on the palm side up to the wrist.
Step 3
Pinch the tape at the wrist and move it between the pinky and ring fingers before wrapping down the palm to the edge of the wrist. Do the same motion between the ring finger and middle finger, then the same same wrapping motion again between the middle finger and pointer finger.
Step 4
Bring the tape down and straight back toward your body before wrapping diagonally across the back of your hand to the outside of your pinky. Lock everything in place by bringing the wrap around your pinky, down toward the floor.
Step 5
Wrap around the knuckles twice, then wrap diagonally across the back of your hand toward your shoulder, passing it between thumb and index finger. Pass around your wrist and point toward the floor before wrapping around your thumb. Bring it across the back of your wrist, finishing upward and around the wrist.
Step 6
Wrap a series of figure 8s, diagonally across the back of the hand and between the thumb and pointer finger. Go across the knuckles, around the wrist and wrap another series of figure 8s before doing one more rotation around the knuckles and then to the wrist, wrapping as many times as necessary to use up all the remaining tape. Secure the tape with Velcro.
Tips and Warnings
- Use all the tape until there is none left.
- Wrapping too tight can cut off circulation. Wrapping too loose will expose your hand to injury.
Things You'll Need
- Handwrap
- Cotton
- Athletic tape
