Boxing is a historical combat sport, still loved and participated in to this day. From the days of Ancient Greece to now, boxing has grown and developed into a powerful sport, scouting names such as Muhammed Ali and Mike Tyson.
With time, we have also seen a development in the way it is played, gear, and how one should protect themselves. One thing vital to boxing is the wrapping of the hands and this needs to be done in the correct way.
Here, we will be guiding you through the best way to wrap your hands when boxing.
Why Do Boxers Wrap Their Hands?
The wrapping of the hands is a very important step for all boxers.
A boxer’s main priority is the safety of their hands, so it is important to protect them at all costs. Without their hands, they would not be able to box.
But that leads to the question of why boxing gloves are not enough. There is a misconception that the gloves boxers wear are there to protect the hand, but this is incorrect.
The gloves are their to cushion the impact with every hit but will not benefit the hand if worn on its own.
What the hand wrapping does is bound together the hand joints and moveable joints to protect from any fractures or breaks. The hands are an essential tool. It is vital to keep them out of harm’s way.
What Do Boxers Use To Wrap Their Hands?
When it comes to wrapping the hands there are two options: they can be wrapped in cotton or gauze/tape.
Cotton
Those who wrap their hands using a cotton wrap are those who dabble in the art of boxing, doing it as a sport, exercise or hobby.
This is an ideal option as they work well to secure the hand tightly and are reusable, meaning this is made to last. Cotton wraps come in a range of sizes and colors and can be found anywhere for an affordable price.
Gauze/Tape
A person who uses gauze or tape to wrap their hands is more than likely a professional boxer. These wraps over a higher amount of protection which is important for any professional boxer.
As they will be fighting against strong components and have a name to live up to, it is vital for their hands to stay as protected as ever. Using cotton wrap is too risky and would never be seen with a professional.
How A Boxer Wraps Their Hands
It is essential for everyone to know how to wrap hands. It is very important for a boxer to protect their hands as that is their main weapon in the ring.
Below, we will be going through step-by-step the best way to wrap your hands and keep them protected.
Step 1
Loop Wrap Around The Thumb
The first step is to relax the hand before taking the wrap and looping it around the thumb. Makes sure that when you do this you go down the back of your hand so that the wrap tightens when you make a fist.
Step 2
Wrap The Wrist
The next move is to wrap the material around your wrist in order to offer support to that area. Wrap around three times for more security however if you’d prefer it loose, wrap around twice.
Step 3
Wrap The Hand
It is then time to wrap your hand. Just like what is done with the wrist, wrap this around you three times around the palm of your hand.
Mainly concentrate on the palm area – the knuckles can be left out. Once this has gone round each time, bring the wrap back down to the thumb.
Step 4
Create An ‘X’
This next step is where it becomes more complicated. You need to wrap an ‘X’ around your hands using the material (by doing this you are protecting and securing the knuckles).
Simply take the wrap and wrap it across the back of your hand, through the pinky and ring finger. As it makes it through, continue on wrapping by pulling it between the thumb and index finger to form an ‘X’.
Bring the wrap across your palm to reach your thumb and repeat this process, going between finger to finger (through ring finger and middle finger, through middle finger and index finger.
Step 5
Securing The Thumb
To ensure that the handwrap stays secure during a fight, take the wrap, go behind the thumb and down the palm. At this point the wrap should be going the opposite direction.
Step 6
Extra Wrapping
To finish off, wrap around the knuckles again and finish off the leftover handwrao (if you have any to spare) by doing the ‘X’ formation. Fasten your wrap up and then you are ready to get in the ring.
Final Thoughts
Wrapping is an easy process as soon as you know how it is done. There are several steps which need to be taken however gets quicker and simpler the more it is done.
When it comes to purchasing your wrap, these can be found in most places and are provided at an affordable price. Choose from size and color and find the one that fits you best.
As a boxer, wrapping your hands is one of the most important parts of the sport. Many people look at the glove as protection yet the glove is only used as a cushioning factor.
In fact, wrapping is more important. By wrapping the hand, the boxer is protecting the joints and bones from breaking or fracturing. In boxing, hands are most valuable so it is very important to keep them safe and secure.
For professional boxers, they will use wraps such as gauze and tape. This is to give them the maximum protection needed.
However, if you choose to do this as a sport, the best option will be to use cotton wrap. These work just as well and ensures good protection.