Beginner Boxer's Guide to Bandaging Their Hands

In general, most boxing observers, and even beginner boxers themselves, consider bandaging their hands to be nothing more than a waste of time. However, many coaches have pointed out that the bandage helps both to hit and prevent various injuries.

Actually, boxers who are aware of the benefits that bandages can bring bandage their hands before practice and competition to protect their wrists, knuckles and fingers from injury.

Discover everything you need to know through this guide for beginner boxers to bandage their hands , and you can find significant changes when it comes to your training.

Why bandage your hands to box?

The most important resource any boxer has is his own hands. When practicing it, your bones can suffer serious fractures.

The bandages support the wrists and thus the fingers and knuckles. Many people incorrectly think that bandages are to cushion or give extra cushion or protection to the knuckles; However, the purpose of the bandages is not to cushion the impact, for that we use the gloves.

The bandage ensures the mobility of the bones and thus prevents the power of the impact of each blow from being distributed throughout the hand. When our hand receives a blow, the wrist joints are in motion so, when pressing these and bringing them together, we are much less likely to suffer a fracture, which is especially important for beginners who are still learning the correct form of hit.

How to bandage your hands to box?

You are going to need a couple of bandages first. A good measure is 4.5 meters, but for smaller hands, 3 meters are sufficient. You should avoid any type of rigid, non-elastic bandage or any type of bandaged gloves, as these do not offer the same level of support.

When bandaging your hands, the goal is to make the wrap snug enough to keep all the bones in your hands apart, but not so tight to the point that it creates discomfort.

If you want to make sure you’re wrapping your hands to successfully protect your knuckles and wrists, here’s an effective way to do it.

Steps to bandage your hands to box

1. Unroll the wrap to expose the thumb loop.
2. Slip your thumb into the loop and wrap the material around the back of your hand. If you run the bandage across the front of your hand (across the palm), the bandage will loosen when you make a fist.
3. Wrap the material around your knuckles three times.
4. Cross over to the back of your hand and wrap the material around your wrist three times. This supports the wrist. If you have short bandages or very large hands you can do it only 2 times. Some fighters prefer to have their wrists somewhat loose (for angled hooks and uppercuts).
5. Return to the palm of your hand and slide the material between your thumb and forefinger.
6. Come back onto your palm and loop around your thumb in the opposite direction. This tightens the thumb and secures the bandage in place so it doesn’t loosen when you’re fighting.
7. Wrap the material around your wrist and then wrap each finger, starting between the pinky and the ring finger.
8. After the fingers are wrapped, wrap your knuckles three more times. Go back to your wrist and wrap your wrist three more times.
9. Secure the wrap to your wrist with the clasp. The bandage should end at the wrist. More experienced boxers recommend finishing it at the top of the wrist, so that it is much easier to throw punches.
10. Finally, make a fist with your hand and check that the bandage is neither too tight nor too loose, so that you can comfortably move your fingers.

Recommendations for bandaging your hands in boxing

Comfort

Your hands should be relaxed when they’re not making a fist and fully tight when you’re doing it. If about 30 minutes has passed and your fingers feel sore or, failing that, they are turning white, it is very likely that the bandage is too tight.

Band measure

Professional boxers sell differently, since they use bandages that are a little longer and, in addition, add a kind of cushion in the part of the knuckles. They do this because they seek more protection from the impact of blows and from their boxing experience.

Wrist adjustment

There are boxers who choose to use more bandage around their wrist because their punches are generally straight and, therefore, they have a greater chance of injuring themselves in this area.

Utility

Many coaches recommend using the bandage both in a fight and in simple training. It is important that as a boxer you prevent future accidents.

Conclution

Bandaging your hands is the daily bread of a boxer. Get it right so you can protect your hands in and out of the ring. On the other hand, remember that you don’t want a wrap that is too long with excess material or too short that it doesn’t provide adequate protection for your hands. Find the correct measurement for your hands, and follow the instructions step by step to bandage your hands until you learn how to do it effectively.

References

• Huber, A. The Beginner’s Guide to Boxing Wraps. For Livestrong. [Revised July 2019].