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 from getting hurt when they punch. It is wrapped tightly around the wrist, the palm, and the base of the thumb. This helps keep the joints in the right place and makes the soft parts of the hand stronger when a punch lands.

Hand wraps are important because punching can put a lot of pressure on the hands and wrists. By using a hand wrap, athletes can reduce the risk of injuries like bruises, sprains, and other harm. 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 make a big difference in how well a person’s hands and wrists feel 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 the wrong part of the hand. It also holds the thumb steady, lowering the chance of injury from the thumb hitting an opponent's elbow. 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, which may make their opponent feel more pain.

Main article: Boxer's fracture

Wrapping method

Different people, like coaches or helpers, have their own ways of wrapping hands for sports. They choose how to wrap based on what works best for the situation 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 everything in place, especially if the glove is a bit loose. In competitions, there are rules about what kind of materials can be used and how much, so each fighter gets just the right amount of cloth and tape for their match.

Material

Training wraps are usually made from reusable cloth and 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 favored 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.