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Want to learn more how to wrap hands for Boxing, MMA and Combat Sports?

Do your hands hurt during bag or pad sessions?

Whether you are a professional or amateur fighter, or recreational trainer, it is important to protect your hands during training to help you punch harder whilst reducing pain and staying injury free.

In this article, we provide the ultimate guide on how to wrap your hands by professional cutman and hand wrapping expert Dr, Ian Gatt, who has worked with Anthony Joshua and many more professional boxers as well as GB Boxing.

How to Wrap Hands for Boxing

Learning how to wrap hands for boxing is essential for protecting your knuckles, wrists, and thumbs during training and fights. Hand wraps for boxing not only protects you from injury but also enhances your performance. A well-wrapped hand provides better control, stability, and power when punching, giving you an edge in the ring.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fighter, using the right hand wrapping techniques helps prevent injuries and enhances punching power. In this guide, we’ll break down the process of wrapping your hands for boxing, as taught by Dr. Ian Gatt, lead physiotherapist and performance services at GB Boxing.

Ian has been providing wrapping and cut duties, at both amateur and professional boxing events, for many years, and has also completed a PHD in hand wrapping.

He has wrapped the hands of Anthony Joshua, Joshua Buatsi, Chris Eubank Jr., Ben Whittaker and many more professional boxers.

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His work has provided novel insights on how the wrist moves when punching and therefore how best to protect from injuries. Ian manages hand-wrist injuries in boxing daily, so understands these areas better than most. Further, boxers can suffer concussion and facial injuries in both training and competition.

It is therefore important to recognise typical signs and symptoms, providing the best approach to safeguard the boxer.

In this video, Ian shares a step-by-step guide on how to wrap hands for boxing. This is a basic technique that is suitable for professional, amateur or recreational athletes.

If you want more advanced techniques, you should check out the Cuts and Wraps for Boxing Online Course. Click here for more information.

Why is Hand Wrapping Important in Boxing?

When boxing, your hands take a lot of repetitive impact, so it’s crucial to wrap them properly. The benefits of wrapping your hands include:

  • Knuckle protection from direct impact.
  • Wrist stability to reduce the risk of sprains and fractures.
  • Thumb protection, preventing hyperextension or injury from incorrect punches.
  • Support for the back of the hand, ensuring safer and stronger punches.

How to Wrap Hands for Boxing

Amateur Competition – Self-Wrapping Technique

What You Need for Wrapping Hands Amateur Boxing Training

To wrap your hands properly, you’ll need:

  • A 4.5-meter cotton hand wrap with Velcro for securing the wrap. These are easily available in most sports stores.

Step-by-Step: How to Wrap Hands for Boxing

Start with the Anchor

Begin by sliding your thumb through the loop of the wrap. Wrap around your wrist a few times to secure the base. Make sure to wrap inwards, not outwards, to avoid straining the thumb.

Protect the Knuckles

Move the wrap towards your knuckles and cover them twice. After this, start building a knuckle pad by folding the wrap and layering it over the knuckles. This pad adds extra cushioning during impact.

Wrap the Hand and Wrist

After covering the knuckles, wrap back down towards the wrist, crossing over the back of your hand. This creates the crucial crisscross support for wrist stability.

Wrap the Thumb for Protection

To protect the thumb, wrap around its base, then pull the wrap back to the wrist. This helps to minimize the risk of thumb injury during punches.

Secure Between the Fingers

For added stability, wrap between your fingers. This ensures the knuckle pad stays in place and gives extra support for your entire hand.

Finish the Wrap

Complete the wrapping by circling the wrist and hand, tightening the wrap as necessary. Ensure the wrap is snug but not too tight, and fasten it securely with Velcro.

How Tight Should Hand Wraps Be?

A well-wrapped hand should:

  • Be snug but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.
  • Provide full coverage over the knuckles, thumb, and wrist.
  • Feel comfortable with no slipping or excessive looseness.

Cuts and Wraps for Boxing Course

If you’re a competitive or professional boxer, you might require more advanced hand wrapping techniques that involve materials like gauze and tape for extra protection. These techniques are often used in high-level boxing to protect fighters’ hands during intense bouts.

For those serious about boxing or combat sports, advanced wrapping methods can provide additional security and support. If you want to master these techniques, you can learn them through specialized courses such as the Cuts and Wraps course by Dr. Ian Gatt, which covers professional hand wrapping strategies.

Click here to take part in the online course.

Conclusion

Mastering how to wrap your hands for boxing is a fundamental skill that every boxer, from beginners to professionals, should know. Proper hand wrapping techniques ensure that your hands, wrists, and thumbs are protected, helping you perform at your best while reducing the risk of injury.

If you’re ready to take your boxing skills to the next level with advanced hand wrapping methods, check out the Cuts and Wraps Course by Dr. Ian Gatt for professional insights.