How to Wrap Boxing Bandages

It is a common practice for boxers to wrap their hands with thick, bandage-like material before sparring or beginning a fight. Properly wrapping hands beforehand helps stabilize the entire hand and wrist area. It can help protect the bones and tendons of the hand, and also keep the wrist and thumb stable, preventing injury. There are a variety of handwrap techniques, but all basically involve wrapping around the wrist and then the thumb while slowly working up the hand to the bottom of the fingers.

Things You'll Need

  • Handwraps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wrap the handwrap two or three times around the wrist, starting from the bottom. Keep the wraps fairly tight so they do not slide around after applied, but not so tight that they cut off circulation or are uncomfortable.

    • 2

      Wrap the material around the thumb, beginning at the top and wrapping around the bottom. Be sure the wrap covers the middle joint of the thumb, so it can be kept stable in the boxing glove.

    • 3

      Wrap the material once more around the wrist after circling the thumb. Then, cross the hand with the wrap, ending it by wrapping it around the side of the hand opposite the thumb.

    • 4

      Pull the wrap across the palm of the hand, then wrap it up around the top of the hand. Repeat around the palm, but after reaching the top of the hand, wrap it diagonally across the top, heading back towards the wrist.

    • 5

      Wrap around the wrist, and then bring the wrap back across the top of the hand, ultimately wrapping it between the middle and ring finger of the hand.

    • 6

      Bring the wrap down across the palm of the hand, wrapping it up and over the wrist. Then bring the wrap back around the side of the hand opposite the thumb, swinging it once more across the palm, before finally bringing the wrap back across the top of the hand, ultimately finishing the wrap back at the wrist. Tuck the end of the wrap under the wrap surrounding the wrist.

    • 7

      Repeat the wrapping process for the other hand.