Instructions on How to Wrap Boxing Bandages

Boxing bandages for each hand

When boxing in sanctioned events, it is important to adhere by the rules that stipulate that your hands must be wrapped with cotton bandage strips to help prevent injury to your fingers, knuckles and wrists. Hand wraps, called "boxing bandages" are easy to use; however, because there are various ways to properly wrap the bandages, many boxers simply wrap the knuckles as if they were injured, which results in less protection. Most wrapping methods become second-nature once you have performed the steps several times.

Things You'll Need

• Boxing bandages
• Surgical tape (if desired)

Instructions

1. Remove your boxing bandages from their container and lay them on a table. They should still be wrapped snugly. Place your hand palm down with your fingers spread on top of one bandage end. Take the bandage and wrap it around the base of your thumb, then take the bandage and wrap it around your wrist three times.

2. Wrap the bandage around your thumb in a looping motion so that the thumb is protected but you still have plenty of movement in the joint area. Wrap it back around the wrist. Repeat this thumb-wrist step three more times. Check your hand flexibility by clenching it repeatedly to make sure that the bandage isn't too tight or that it restricts movement.

3. Circle the remaining bandage around your thumb, then bring it across your knuckles. Make sure your fingers are still spread apart. Continue to wrap the knuckles and the base of your fingers. Wrap the bandage around three full times. Make sure it is not too tight to restrict movement.

4. Wrap the bandage in a diagonal motion between your forefinger and thumb to the bottom of the opposite side of your hand. Wrap the wrist again three more times to ensure protection and stability. Then loop the bandage diagonally back up underneath your palm and back between your thumb and forefinger. Wrap it back over your knuckles again three times to add extra support.

5. Secure your bandage using a Velcro strap around the wrist. Make sure it is not tight enough to cut off the circulation. If your bandage does not come with Velcro, then surgical tape can be used -- but make sure the tape used complies with the rules of the event in which you are participating. If using surgical tape, simply wrap the tape around your wrist tightly. You can wrap the tape around the wrist about three to six times to ensure it will stay in one place.

6. Place your wrapped hands into boxing gloves. To prevent the bandage from peeling back when inserting your hands into the gloves, small strips of surgical tape can also be used between the fingers to help secure the bandage edges. Take four short strips of tape and apply it between the fingers so the bandage is pulled together between the fingers. This will help keep the bandage in place when sliding gloves on your hands.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice wrapping your hands until you can get the process memorized, with the proper amount of tension on the bandages every time.

• Never used metal securing clips with boxing bandages.

References

• Boxing Gyms: Basic Handwrap Technique
• Boxing Gyms: Boxing Instruction Handwraps
• Boxing Gyms: Handwraps Ribbon Style