Hand Wrapping 101: Essential Tips for Boxing and MMA Safety

Ready to throw down in the ring or octagon? Before you start swinging, make sure your hands are locked and loaded for battle. Hand wrapping isn't just for show—it's your secret weapon for staying in the fight and avoiding those nasty injuries. Let's break it down for you.

Why Hand-Wrapping Matters

Listen up, champ. Your hands are your bread and butter in the ring. Wrapping them up right isn't just about looking tough—it's about protecting those knuckles and wrists from getting busted up. Good hand wrapping means less chance of sprains, fractures, and all those other painful surprises.

Choosing the Right Wraps

Not all wraps are created equal. You want something tough yet flexible, with enough length to cover your hands and wrists like a boss. Look for wraps that come with a thumb loop and Velcro closure for that extra security. You ain't messin' around when it comes to protecting your mitts. We like to use the Mission Foo Dog 4m hand wraps, they are long enough to wrap your hands in the most common styles in boxing and Muay Thai.

The Wrapping Technique

1. Loop the thumb and wrap BEHIND the hand:

Start by looping the thumb and wrap behind your hand. This keeps the wrap tight when you make a fist, avoiding the annoyance of re-wrapping midway through your workout.

2. Three times around the wrist:

Wrap around the wrist three times to provide support. If your handwraps are short or you have big hands, two times might be enough. Some guys prefer looser wrists for certain punches.

3. Three times around the palm:

Wrap around the palm of your hand three times. Don't worry too much about covering the knuckles. Bring it down to the back of your thumb for added stability.

4. Three X’s through the fingers:

Create X's on the back of your hand by wrapping between your fingers and then coming across the back of your hand. This supports your knuckles without them collapsing or breaking over each other.

Don't worry we got photos. 

Start by wrapping over the back of your hand, then inbetween your pinky and ring finger, coming through your palm and back around your index and thumb. Then go around your wrist over the back of your hand to repeat going through your ring and middle finger.

Repeat and go through each finger.

Once you've gone through each finger, go back around the wrist.

5. Around the thumb and lock it:

Wrap once around your thumb and then go back to wrap again around the wrist. If you get sore thumbs you can do this more than once. This secures the thumb and keeps the handwrap from getting loose during your training session.

6. Three times around the knuckles:

Wrap around the knuckles three times for extra protection.

7. Extra wraps and finish at the wrist:

If you have extra wraps left, create more X's around the back of your hand or wrap the knuckles again. Or around your wrist for extra support. Finish at the wrist, securing the velcro for maximum support. 

Congratulations! Your handwrap is perfectly done. Now, admire your work and make a fist!

Key Points to Remember

• Keep the tension steady as you wrap, making sure everything feels snug without cutting off the blood flow.
• Pay extra attention to those knuckles—they're gonna be taking the most heat, so give 'em some extra love.
• Don't go wrapping too tight. You want to be able to move those hands freely without feeling like you're wearing a cast.
• Practice makes perfect. Don't just throw on those wraps when it's fight night—get in some reps during training so you can wrap like a pro when it counts.
• There are multiple ways to wrap your hands, each discipline has their own style and nuisance, so experiment and try what works for you.

Hand wrapping might seem like a small detail, but trust us—it's a game-changer. So wrap it up right, get out there, and show 'em what you're made of.