Today, we’re covering an essential part of your pre-fight ritual – wrapping your hands. Why? Because hand wraps protect your mitts from injuries like fractures, sprains, and cuts, provide much-needed support to your bones, tendons, and ligaments, help you land more forceful punches, and keep those gloves fresh and dry.
Let’s dive into the ins and outs of how to wrap your hands for boxing. This tutorial will be focusing on cotton or elastic wraps, which are versatile and user-friendly. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A pair of hand wraps (preferably 180 inches long)
- Scissors (optional)
- A mirror or a buddy to check your wrapping
Step 1: Starting Strong
Flash your jazz hands and slip your thumb through the loop at the end of the wrap. Make sure the Velcro side faces down and the loop isn’t twisted. The loop not your thing? Feel free to snip it off.
Step 2: It’s All in the Wrist
Let’s get wrapping. Circle your wrist three to four times, starting from the back of your hand and going up your forearm. Keep it snug but comfy – we’re not trying to cut off circulation here. Remember to keep your wrist straight to prevent bending when you’re punching.
Step 3: Palm Reader
Time to cross the back of your hand and wrap around your palm, just above the thumb, about three times. This gives your knuckles a solid base and adds a cushioning layer to your hand. Secure your palm wrapping with another loop around your wrist.
Step 4: Thumbs Up!
Loop around your thumb twice, starting from the inside of your palm and heading outwards. This protects your thumb from getting jammed or dislocated when you land those punches. Secure it with another wrist wrap.
Step 5: Knockout Knuckles
Knuckles are your main punching power, so give them some TLC. Cross over the back of your hand and wrap your knuckles three times, covering the entire punchable surface. Making a fist while you do this helps ensure a tight but comfy wrap.
Step 6: Keep Your Finger on the Pulse
Next, cross over the back of your hand again and loop the wrap between your fingers, moving from pinky to index finger. This creates a protective webbing that stops your fingers from clenching too hard. Feel free to adjust the wrap tension to suit your comfort level.
Step 7: Stick the Landing
You’re almost there! Secure the wrap with the Velcro closure. This can be around your wrist or with a final crossover on the back of your hand. Make sure it’s not too loose or tight and that no excess fabric is dangling.
And voila! Your hands are now boxing-ready, wrapped in a snug layer of protection. Strap on your gloves and get ready to punch with power and peace of mind.
Pro-tips for Boxing Wrap Success
- Clean hands = clean wraps. Make sure to wash and dry your hands before wrapping them.
- Got cuts or bruises? Apply some antibiotic ointment and cover them with band-aids before you start wrapping.
- Keep long nails trimmed or filed down to avoid scratching yourself or tearing your wraps.
- Remember to remove rings or bracelets from your fingers or wrists before you wrap them.
Happy boxing, champs! Remember, it’s not just about the punch, but also the protection. So wrap wisely and fight fiercely!
