Hand wrap

A hand wrap or wrist wrap is a strip of cloth used by boxers and people in other combat sports to protect their hand and wrist when they punch. It is wrapped tightly around the wrist, the palm, and the base of the thumb. This helps keep the joints in place and makes the hand stronger when a punch lands.

Hand wraps are important because punching can put pressure on the hands and wrists. By using a hand wrap, athletes can reduce the risk of injuries. This lets them train and compete with more confidence and safety.

Many athletes consider hand wraps an essential part of their gear, just like gloves or headgear. They are easy to use and can help a person’s hands and wrists feel better after a workout or a match.

Benefits

A hand wrap helps protect a boxer's hand and wrist from injuries. It supports the wrist, keeping it in place when a punch hits. It also holds the thumb steady to lower the chance of injury. Most importantly, it strengthens the bones in the hand, making it less likely to break.

Hand and wrist wraps squeeze the bones and tissues in the hand. This squeezing lets boxers hit harder and feel less pain.

Main article: Boxer's fracture

Wrapping method

Different people, like coaches or helpers, have their own ways of wrapping hands for sports. They pick how to wrap based on what works best and their experience. Some ways give more support to the wrist, while others help the thumb or pinky finger, or add extra padding to protect the knuckles. Sometimes, a small piece of wrap is placed between the fingers to keep things in place, especially if the glove is loose. In competitions, there are rules about what materials can be used and how much, so each fighter gets the right amount of cloth and tape for their match.

Material

Training wraps are usually made from reusable cloth. They can be fastened with a small tie tab or velcro. Traditional hand wraps do not stretch, but Mexican-style wraps are a bit stretchy and are liked by many boxers. The length of the wraps depends on the rules, personal choice, hand size, and the type of glove being used. Shorter wraps are often used for fingerless "grappling gloves" in mixed martial arts.

A newer option is using foam or gel-lined fingerless gloves worn inside a boxing glove. These can help protect the hands and head during training, sparring, or competition, depending on the rules. However, this option may not last as long as regular wraps.