How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing, Muay Thai and MMA

Proper hand wrapping is a fundamental skill for anyone involved in boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA. It provides crucial support to the small bones and tendons in your hands and wrists, significantly reducing the risk of injury during training and competition. While there are variations, here's a standard method using 180-inch (4.5m) wraps:

STEPS:

1. THUMB LOOP: 
Place the loop over your thumb, ensuring the 'This Side Down' label (if present) is against your skin. Run the wrap across the back of your hand.

2. WRIST SUPPORT: 
Wrap around your wrist 3-4 times. This provides the primary wrist stabilization. Keep the wrap snug but not tight enough to cut off circulation.

3. HAND/PALM: 
Bring the wrap across the back of your hand, up towards your knuckles, and wrap around your palm/knuckles 3 times.

4. BETWEEN FINGERS (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED):
   - Bring the wrap from the base of the palm (near the thumb) up between your pinky and ring finger.
   - Go across the back of the hand and wrap around the base of the thumb.
   - Repeat between the ring and middle finger, wrap around the thumb base.
   - Repeat between the middle and index finger, wrap around the thumb base.

5. THUMB LOCK: 
Wrap once or twice around your thumb itself for added support.

6. KNUCKLE PADDING: 
Bring the wrap back across the back of your hand and wrap around the knuckles 2-3 more times, covering the padding you created earlier.

7. FIGURE EIGHTS (X-PATTERN): 
Create 'X' patterns across the back of your hand by alternating wraps between the knuckles and the wrist. This helps secure the knuckle padding.

8. FINISH AT WRIST: 
Use any remaining wrap length to secure the wrist further. Fasten the Velcro securely.

TIPS:

- Keep your hand slightly spread during wrapping.
- Make a fist periodically to check for tightness – it should feel snug and supportive, not painfully tight.
- Keep the wrap flat and avoid bunching.
- Practice makes perfect! It takes time to get the technique right.

Investing a few minutes in proper hand wrapping can save you from weeks or months of injury recovery. Use quality wraps like THS Fight Gear's 4.5m wraps for optimal support.